Nowadays, we cannot imagine life without computers. The fact is that they have become so important that nothing can substitute them. They seem to be everywhere today. Since 1948 when the first real computer has been invented our life has changed so much that we can call it the real digital revolution. In these modern times, the computer has become an essential part of every day work and activities - be in our homes, offices, school and even on social places.
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| Moorthi Devasurendra, Manager Technical Support Services IBM showing a 2MB hard disk which was the first removable hard disk. |
Synonymous with computers, the name International Business Machines won’t probably jog your memory, but IBM certainly would. Celebrating its 50th year in Sri Lanka and marking its century of existence worldwideS, IBM’s leading role in transforming business and science – especially when it was their machines which put the first man on the moon, has in turn changed the world.
Early days
Chrishan Fernando, Country General Manager, IBM settling down with the Business Times to reminisce its early years and the direction for the future, agrees that the world and especially Sri Lanka now looks very different that it did a decade ago.
“The IT industry in Sri Lanka has evolved considerably over the years, especially in the banking and telecom sectors. In the backdrop of a steep rise in the gadget users globally, Sri Lanka is also gaining on other countries in the field of Information Technology,” he says.
Recalling that in the early days computers were so huge that they occupied whole rooms or buildings and that they were relatively slow, Mr. Fernando says that it was in 1967 that IBM installed the first 'main frame' at Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) - then known as the Insurance Corporation of Ceylon (ICC), “SLIC was IBM’s first client and we were the pioneers in automating a local entity," he says.
In 1967, the installation of the first Mainframe Machine – IBM System/360-20 with four mega bites Memory and Tape Operating System was completed and input was through punched cards and magnetic tape.
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| Chrishan Fernando.Pix by Indika Handuwala |
Mr. Fernando adds that at the time computers were not faster than modern simple watches or calculators. By 1988 IBM helped Sampath Bank computerize its operation, which revolutionised the banking landscape of the country. Sampath Bank was the first bank to fully computerize operations in Sri Lanka, with the new uni-bank model whereby all branches were inter-linked, allowing customers to transact from any branch.
The year 1990 saw the Department of Immigration and Emigration transforming its operations with IBM to provide a real-time Border Control system. For the first time, the issuance of passports was reduced to a day, cutting down from months of waiting time. The system also allowed on-line availability of passport holder database to the immigration counters at the international airport, bringing in security and controls to Sri Lanka’s immigration system.
Typical corporate office
Reminiscing his first days at IBM, Moorthi Devasurendra Manager, Technical Support Services joining the discussion, says that 22 years ago in 1990, when he joined the company it depicted a typical corporate office. “It was ‘model office’ environment with partitioning (which was hitherto not introduced to the country) and state of the art furnishings,” he says, adding that it was a treat to be working at IBM.
He also says that all staff was treated equally as is the case now as well. He says that IBM was responsible in changing the IT landscape in the country when it introduced the first touch screen and voice recognition in games. “Among its firsts, IBM introduced the first remote control keyboard too,” he says, adding that he was quite fortunate to have been in the thick of things at the time.
IBM believes that any business is only as strong as the people who comprise it. As the composition of the work force continues to change and the growing need for professional and cutting-edge management skills at all levels increases, it is critical for organizations to focus on creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. “IBM is helping employees deal with the new world of work through flexible work options, collaboration technology and new employee communities to share best practices. IBM believes that work/life integration touches morale, productivity and retention, and that success will equal a competitive advantage.
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| Eight inch diskettes stores in a rectangular box |
An ‘IBMer’ (nickname for an IBM staffer) is guaranteed an exciting and challenging workplace that provides intellectually stimulating exchanges and global knowledge by interacting with the best minds in IBM across all continents from 170 countries,” Mr. Devasurendra says.
While reiterating that IBM is recognized as the powerhouse of high-quality computer products and services, he adds that the IBM logo is an image of expertise, innovation, service and trust, thereby reinforcing the strength of IBM in the industry. “If observed closely, the IBM logo, also known as ‘Big Blue’, generates a message of ‘Equality’. The Big Blue IBM Logo, with its lower right parallel lines, highlights in the shape of an ‘equals’ sign. Furthermore, the term ‘BIG’ in the Big Blue IBM log refers to the company’s size in the market share, whereas, the ‘Blue’ is the official colour of the eight – bar IBM logo,” he explains.
IT has been the top priority for Sri Lanka for many years, and recent studies note that companies still spend approximately 35% of their budget on hardware purchase.
Reality of global integration
Mr. Fernando says that with the government also encouraging a healthy business environment, companies are adopting advanced and cost-effective IT solutions and services to keep abreast of competition. “By virtualizing resources, automating processes and standardizing tasks, businesses in markets like Sri Lanka - and in high customer-interaction industries like banking and telecom - can unlock potential through business intelligence (BI) solutions and experience significant competitive differentiation,” he says, noting that from a wider IT perspective, Sri Lanka currently enjoys a well-evolved hardware environment, with software gaining traction and huge opportunity waiting to be explored in the services market. The key verticals driving demand for IT are Banking, Telecom, and Government, according to him. |
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