Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Sarbanes-Oxley Challenges Meet IT Best Practice Solutions At IT Governance 2006
Former Enron VP Among Speaker Line-Up Of Professional Auditors & IT Experts
BURLINGTON, ON – April 25, 2006 – Pink Elephant, the world’s leading provider of IT service management conferences and education, is presenting IT Governance 2006 from August 6 – 8 in Orlando. Relayed through practical sessions, case studies and certification training, the symposium’s goal is to equip organizations with the knowledge needed to identify and implement a sound IT governance framework, including the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL®) and Control Objectives for IT (COBIT).
According to the IT Governance Institute (ITGI), IT governance is now considered as critical a board and management discipline as corporate or enterprise governance. Effective IT governance helps to ensure that IT supports business goals, maximizes business investment in IT, and appropriately manages IT-related opportunities and risks. Such risks include legal and financial consequences stemming from non-compliance with corporate accounting legislation; namely, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
“Despite all the publicity surrounding the business impact of Sarbanes-Oxley, relatively little attention has focused on the crucial and now accountable role of IT in the financial reporting process,” says George Spalding, Executive Consultant for Pink Elephant. “IT Governance 2006 will outline the IT frameworks that best provide the controls essential to withstand both internal and external compliance audits. In addition to understanding how these controls can help minimize the burdens of compliance, attendees will also realize many more added strategic benefits.”
One key figure recognized by TIME magazine for her courageous actions during a high-profile corporate scandal that triggered the landmark Sarbanes-Oxley Act is Sherron Watkins, former Enron VP. Pink Elephant is pleased to welcome Ms. Watkins as one of the symposium’s keynote speakers.
Added to the keynote line-up is Erik Guldentops, the “father” of COBIT, a framework supported by the ITGI for improving IT governance. As a fitting supplement to IT Governance 2006, Pink Elephant will launch COBIT Essentials, a post-event certification course.
Complementing COBIT Essentials, Pink Elephant will also deliver three extra post-symposium certification courses on another IT governance enabling framework. One ITIL foundation level and two practitioner level courses, designed for those who have completed the foundation course and require more in-depth learning on specific groups of ITIL processes, will take place.
IT Governance 2006 is being presented at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Orlando.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Pink Elephant Expanding Asian Operations In Response To Growing Demand For ITIL Knowledge
IT Professionals In Greater China To Be Served By Hong Kong & New Shanghai Offices
BURLINGTON, ON – April 19, 2006 – Pink Elephant today announced global expansion plans that will see the company’s IT management services reaching more IT professionals in Greater China by August 2006 with the opening of a new office in Shanghai and increased recruitment of ITIL experts at the company’s existing business in Hong Kong.
China has experienced one of the highest five-year growth rates for ITIL foundation certification in Asia Pacific. According to the Examination Institute for Information Science (EXIN), an independent body that offers the foundation ITIL exam in ten languages and accredits qualified ITIL training providers such as Pink Elephant, the number of ITIL foundation exams taken in China increased from 75 in 2001 to 2,435 in 2005.
“In recent years Pink Elephant has been growing at a rate of around 30% each year, with a strategy of opening new offices closer to our customers,” says David Ratcliffe, President of Pink Elephant. “It is exciting and very appropriate to add Shanghai as our next location. We look forward to investing in the long-term development of new staff in Shanghai and Hong Kong and providing them with rewarding career opportunities to work with Pink Elephant all over the world as IT management best practice experts.”
Monday, April 10, 2006
Pink Elephant Awarded For Exporting Success By Province Of Ontario
Ontario Global Traders Awards Recognize Top Performers In Worldwide Markets
BURLINGTON, ON – April 10, 2006 – Pink Elephant was named one of Ontario’s most successful exporters by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. At a ceremony held last week in Barrie for the Ontario Global Traders Awards, an annual program that recognizes the export achievements of the province’s most innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, leaders and students, Pink Elephant accepted the Market Expansion – Service award for central region.
Pink Elephant delivers education, consulting and conferences that help thousands of companies around the world, including Fortune 500 corporations, effectively manage their IT operations by implementing established best practice frameworks, particularly the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL®).
“We are thrilled to receive this honour from the province of Ontario, where our vision to lead the way in IT management best practices was created 15 years ago in a basement office,” says David Ratcliffe, President of Pink Elephant. “With a dedicated staff of now close to 200 situated on every continent, strong partnerships, and services that are in high demand, we are as motivated as ever to get even closer to our global customers as we look ahead to the next 15 years.”
The Market Expansion – Service category examines specific details about a nominee’s export activities, such as how new market opportunities are identified, strategies to increase exports, obstacles overcome in penetrating new markets, and technologies used to gain a competitive advantage. Submissions are evaluated by judging panels representing leaders from business, education and economic development groups.
“This is a significant accomplishment,” says Joyce Savoline, Chairman of the Regional Municipality of Halton. “Pink Elephant is a world leader in IT management best practices. Growth takes leadership and vision, and Mr. Ratcliffe’s leadership and vision in seizing new opportunities abroad exemplify the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of Halton businesses.”
A complete list of regional winners will be published in the April/May issue of PROFIT magazine. View more information about the Ontario Global Traders Awards program.