BANGKOK POST - IT NEWS - JUNE 18, 2003

Offshore Software Development Opportunities Come To Thailand

UK firm outsources Java development

By: Tony Waltham

Vervata Limited, a UK developer of mobile messaging systems, will outsource the development of a series of advanced Java-based messaging products to the Software Park-based Mustang Technologies.

The products from Vervata are Flexitext, which will provide messaging, chat, low-cost SMS and picture messaging services, and Consensium, a proximity-based mobile CRM solution.

Flexitext is scheduled for an August 2003 release to global markets and Consensium will be released to UK retailers and shopping malls in December.

The privately-owned, BoI-promoted Mustang Technologies will work with a five-person team from Vervata on these J2ME-based products for the world and United Kingdom markets, according to senior executives from both Vervata and Mustang.

According to Mustang's chairman, president and CEO, Charles Kathrein, the collaboration will see a transfer of skills as Vervata will bring a five-man team of experts with specialist knowledge in Enterprise Java Beans (EJB) design techniques for high volume systems based on clustered J2EE application servers and in design techniques for J2ME devices.

These developers will also bring with them a familiarity with IBM Websphere, BEA WebLogic and JLOG products and expertise in UML and Catalysis Methodologies for requirements gathering and project management processes, he added.

These skills are in short supply in Thailand, and the Vervata professionals will be transferring their skills to create a world-class mobile technology development team here, according to Vervata managing director Atir Raihan.

The establishment of this capability was expected to result in a threefold increase in the size of the Thai team over the next 12 months.

The expansion will allow Vervata to rapidly deliver complex technology solutions at a fraction of UK costs, the managing director said.

``I see this very much as a win-win for Vervata, Mustang Technologies and Thailand in general, as the synergy of our combined talents delivers immediate financial and risk benefits for all parties, as well as improving the export prospects for the Thai Software Industry as a whole,'' Mr Raihan added.

Vervata will be using Mustang Technologies' ``COD Model'' to construct these advanced mobile messaging products.

This gives global clients an opportunity to manage their software development projects using highly skilled and affordable development here, according to Mr Kathrein.

(Actual Bangkok Post article can be viewed at: http://www.bangkokpost.com/Database/18Jun2003_data54.html)