New training offer to help Canterbury companies

New training offer to help Canterbury companies get more out of IT investments

21 February 2011. Christchurch. – Information technology company Datasouth has announced a partnership with Organisation Development Institute (ODI) to provide a new range of technical training workshops for Canterbury organisations.

“Training is an under-utilised way for organisations to improve the value they get out of their IT investment, which is particularly important in the current economic environment,” says Hayley Bryan, Datasouth’s Chief Executive.

“In our work we often see a need for organisations to upskill their staff so they have the right knowledge to use existing systems more effectively.”

Ms Bryan said the company had provided specific training for customers in the past, but wanted to broaden their offering.

“ODI’s capability fitted well with that.”

Ms Bryan says the service would provide a high quality alternative to existing training providers, from a location in Canterbury Technology Park that was more convenient for many local companies.

ODI director Nicky Trainor says the partnership is a good fit for both companies.

“Datasouth is a Microsoft Gold partner with a state-of-the-art computer lab at their premises in the Canterbury Technology Park, while ODI has the experience and capability of providing high quality professional training workshops based on real user experiences”.

“What we’re promising to the market is a really good learning experience.”

Previously part of the University of Canterbury’s professional development programme, ODI’s principals left to form their new and independent training organisation in mid-2010.

The partnership has allowed ODI to offer an extended range of IT courses that have proven popular with businesses and the public from their previous base at the University.

“We are now able to supplement our business courses with similar IT workshops. Someone might do a project management course with us and then follow on with a hands-on Microsoft Project workshop”, explains Nicky.

A total of 15 in-depth three-hour Microsoft courses will be available from March 2011. More details can be found at www.development.org.nz.

About Datasouth
Datasouth is an information technology partner to businesses throughout New Zealand and Australia, servicing outstanding companies like PGG Wrightson, The New Zealand Merino Company, and Tourism Australia.

Datasouth provides a full range of IT services from software development and network infrastructure to total system design and support.

As a Microsoft Gold Partner, Datasouth has been the recipient of the NZ Microsoft Partner ‘Core Infrastructure Solution of the Year’ Award for the past for three years running. The company was named in the Technology Investment Network’s top 100 index for the first time in 2010.

Established in 1993, Datasouth is based in Christchurch and has offices in Wellington, Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne.

About ODI
Organisation Development Institute (ODI) is a professional training organisation based in Christchurch which provides a range of short courses and custom programmes in leadership, communication, task management and information technology.

ODI aims to build capable organisations by designing and delivering research-informed learning solutions that are based on adult teaching and learning best practices, informed by educational research and supported by leading edge learning technologies.

Course presenters are professional educators who have strong connections to current research and best practices, selected for their specialist subject knowledge and national and international reputations.

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