Aptech, IBM in pact for global training

NEW DELHI: Aptech Ltd. and IBM India have entered into a strategic alliance

wherein Aptech will offer training programs designed on IBM platforms through

its centers both in India and abroad. The courses will be provided at Aptech and

Asset centers. The first phase of the program will see Aptech training about

20,000 professionals throughout its 200 centers in India. Aptech currently has

2245 centers and is present in 42 countries.

The two corporates have also had a strategic relation way back in 1999 when

Aptech's advanced training division, Asset, entered into an alliance with IBM to

deliver e-biz courses. While the curriculum will be developed by Aptech, both

Aptech and IBM will undertake joint marketing initiatives to promote leading IBM

technologies like DB2 database and WebSphere Application server.

The cost will be between $40-$100. The various courses on IBM technologies

will be charged differentially depending on the package one opts for.

Speaking about the background that led to the alliance Software Group and

Developer Relation Country Manger Pawan Sharma says, "There has been a

growing gap in available skill-sets in IBM technologies. Since 1999 when IBM

launched the initiative for Independent Solutions Vendors (ISV), the need for

people with IBM skill-sets has increased phenomenally as more and more ISVs have

moved onto to the IBM platform."

Although this will not be an exclusive alliance, Erik Elzerman, Director, IBM

Software Group, ASEAN/SA ruled out further alliances for the time being.

Aptech CEO Promod Khera, estimated that a total of 60,000 professionals will

be trained in various IBM technologies out of which 20,000 are expected to

undertake certification. He said one of the major growth strategies of Aptech

will be to grow through alliances.