In a "first for women" move in the traditionally male-dominated world of IT, Simla Maharaj, BMC Software`s professional services consultant at African Legend (AL) Indigo, has attained the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation and Manager certification.
The ITIL manager`s certificate is a qualification for IT executives who need the capabilities of managing ITIL-based solutions across the breadth of service management subjects. Training for the qualification is offered by Foster-Melliar.
Maharaj (28) joined the ICT sector four years ago, after obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree in information systems. She became part of the BMC Software team in 2004 and was exposed to business service management and ITIL for the first time.
Aligning IT with business strategies is a key focus and an approach which has met with varied responses from industry players, says Maharaj.
"Some within the industry still view IT as purely technical and separate from the business strategy, but this is slowly changing. I want to move away from a specific IT focus and towards a strategic alignment within organisations."
Maharaj notes AL Indigo is moving away from simply being a technical vendor to a solutions provider aligned with clients` business models.
"In today`s competitive environment, the difference between an average- and a high-performing organisation will be a CIO who contributes to the business, as well as to the IT environment. The ITIL manager qualification provides the knowledge to successfully move into the new IT game," says Maharaj.
Foster-Melliar accepted her application to complete the ITIL Foundation and Manager certification without the mandatory five years` experience in the IT sector due to her dedication and passion for service management, she says.
Commenting on her motivation to complete the ITIL manager certification, Maharaj says: "The IT industry is still a male-dominated industry and while the number of women in IT is increasing, the trend is very slow. I wanted to set an example and show that women can be successful and encourage women to pursue a career in IT.
"I believe my achievements are opening doors for women by removing the perception that the IT industry needs to remain a male-dominated sector."
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