EDS SA adopts global engineering standard

EDS SA has obtained level two accreditation in the CMMI standard for software engineering. This will improve its chances of getting business from global accounts, and follows the example of respected software development regions like India, the company states.

Capability Maturity Model Integration, bestowed on EDS`s SA solution centre, supersedes the Carnegie Mellon University`s CMM standard for application development. CMMI extends CMM by "removing the barriers between software and infrastructure".

"One of the factors behind the success of India as an application development and business process outsourcing centre has been its focus on international standards like CMM and now CMMI," says Sar'e Grobler, project manager of Savant, the Department of Trade and Industry`s vehicle for marketing SA`s technological capabilities. EDS is a founding member.

EDS SA is the first company unit outside of North America to obtain CMMI. Stuart Mann, who leads EDS South Africa`s CMMI drive, says CMMI increases productivity and quality, results in fewer defects and lower cost to clients and reduced risk of project failure.

"Another major benefit is that the SA solution centre increases its ability to compete for a share of global EDS projects."

Like CMM, CMMI will allow organisations to move through five levels of accreditation, with level five being the highest.

The company believes that becoming part of a global network, like EDS`s Best Shore delivery strategy, will "strengthen the position of SA as a credible supplier of technology and related services to international customers".

The government of Victoria in Australia recently announced it would provide AUS$1 million in funding to assist local software development businesses gain CMMI level two ratings.

EDS SA`s solution centre will strive to achieve CMMI level three status in short order.