Romanian-Hungarian cooperation initiatives within the business and academic work frame show promising results. The scientific conference held in Pécs, Hungary in May 2010, pointed out the major contribution that business environment can bring for the academic one and vice-versa. Restrained to the IT&C industry, the conference aimed to assure a matchmaking session for local companies from Cluj, Romania and Pécs, Hungary.

Location: Faculty of Economics, University of Pécs, Hungary

Timetable: 28th of May, 2010

Event organized by:  IveTár – Association of Information Technology Leaders, Pécs, Hungary

Framework: National Civil Program

Project code: NCA-NK-09-F-0507 Határta-LAN)

Special thanks to professors: Mr. Péter DOBAY and Mr. József FICSOR

The Transylvanian – Hungarian bilateral scientific conference analyzed the economical impact of information technology on the regions of Transylvania and Pécs: Hungarian company executives from Cluj, information technology leaders from Hungary – Pécs region and honours of Hungarian Universities from Pécs shared their experiences and views about how to reach to a closer cooperation between industry activity and research work.

The Hungarian Technical Scientific Society of Transylvania (EMT) was represented by Walter BREM from  Codespring and dr. László BARABÁS from Evoline. The invitees could hear about the ongoing projects and technical know-how portfolio of two important software companies from Cluj, Codespring and Evoline, and could get a closer glimpse into the IT education system of the Babes-Bolyai University from Cluj.

Gábor GAZSÓ, the representative of NJSZ Smart Card Forum talked about the usage of smart cards in the Hungarian society and formulated research alternatives in this domain.

Attila TÓTH, from SL Software Consult Hungary LLC and Ferenc BRACHMANN, from the South-Danube Information Cluster shared the experiences of a successfully implemented GOP 1.3.1. project about Framework for Electronic Administration.

Students from the University of Pécs, Hungary have presented two projects they have been working on, under the professional guidance of IveTár and EMT: the first project sketched the content and technical plan of the IveTár – EMT sub portal, followed by the second project entitled ‘Information society’ with focus on data gathering and expansion.

The conference ended with a visit at a local software development company, at Dexter LLC where the guests could get more information about CooSpace, a software application having a major contribution to administration process automation at the University of Pécs: timetable, course plan, examination system, and professor – student virtual intercommunication, exam grades, studied subjects.

Both EMT and IveTár participants regarded the event as an excellent matchmaking session and expressed intention to continue professional cooperation in the form of student exchange and joint projects.

Hurray! After many, many hours of hard work, time was there that we sit together and just enjoy being in our team… – the perfect time for celebrating Codespring Day. Said and done. Between 2 – 4 July 2010, we marked the calendar by a  trip to Padis – in the Apuseni mountains, at “Cetatile Ponorului”(The Fortress of Ponor) chalet [lat: 46.5637 °N; long: 22.7101°E; alt: 1079 m] .

…A lot of sunshine, fresh air, beautiful panoramas, big ferns, cliff & rocks, caves, marvelous waterfalls – are just a glimpse of these spectacular sights. Another delight was to have the “little troopers division” made of our colleagues’ toddlers.

Captain’s log, Saturday, 3^rd of July 2010:

Action of the day: tracking tour from Padis /La Grajduri(The Stables) to Glavoi Meadow, climbing the Galbena (Yellow) peak, and visiting the Focul Viu (Living Fire) glaciers’ cave.

Fire test no. 1: climbing of chain – track on the abrupt, slippery rocks at the Galbena (Yellow) river’s side. Luckily everybody made it well, especially the “little troopers division” (with a little help J)….

Fire test no. 2: exploring the Focul Viu (Living Fire)Cave;

Location: the Galbena (Yellow) Valley, near Piatra Galbenii (The Yellow Rock) Peak and Cuculeul de Fier (The Iron Cuculeu) Peak , alt.: 1165 m. Special notes from Codespring crew: The access inside the cave consists in a wooden staircase; the cave is composed of 2 main rooms. The Great Hall, H: 46 m, L: 68 m, houses an impressive ice cave (25,000 m3); the cave’s glacier is the 3rd biggest in Romania, after the Scarisoara and Bortig glaciers. The Great Hall’s ceiling is  partially open in a large window, through which, trunks of trees have fallen over time, and they were beutifully trapped in the glacier’s mass.

Fire test no. 3: exploring Valea Florilor (Flowers Valley) and finding the way back. Fighting against hunger everybody got well to the final destination, especially our “dog – bodyguard”, one of our “dachshund” colleagues J.

End of the day: Since every each of us has successfully passed the fire tests, we spoiled our team with a well deserved meal, and the evening continued by watching the World Football Championships, drinking a lot of beer, and partying in the late night…..

Captain’s log, Sunday, 4th of July 2010:

Action of the day: visiting Cetatile Ponorului (The Fortress of Ponor)

Fire test no. 4: getting up! We are proud to state that in spite of the glorious party in the night we managed to meet at 11.00 a.m. J

Fire test no. 5: exploring Cetatile Ponorului (The Fortress of Ponor). Special notes from Codespring crew: Our way turned to the left and ascended a little near the dolina, getting to a rocky peak from where we had a glance at the dizzying depths. In 20 min. From the blaze separation we got to the first three balconies, then turned back to follow it’s way to Galbena (The Yellow River). We passed through a water-made path, from where we were admiring the hollow’s beauty and depth. Cetatile Ponorului (The Fortress of Ponor) has 4 balconies. Their sightseeing presented a real escapade for all those who didn’t fear heights.

Final thoughts:

The Padis adventure proved once again that Codespring crew members are fearless native explorers, including the “little troopers division” [if well fed… J ] And as a tribute to Codespring Day 2010 we mark in the history books the local legends – like “the missing white Nokia”, the “snail –heroes” and the local star: “the Bear Killing Dachsund”…

P.S.: Can’t wait for the next celebration of the Codespring Day in 2011 !!!!

[View with PicLens]

Among young people in Transylvania 75% of smartphone users are male, 20% of them change their mobile phone once a year, and Nokia is ranked 1^st in the top of smartphone brands –  according to a recent research made by a small group of students attending Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca.

30% of the interviewed young people are using smartphones, 75% of them are male. The use of classic mobile phones mostly characterizes female respondents. Smartphones are being replaced more oten than classic mobile phones. 51% of total respondents owe a Nokia mobile phone, 14% – Sony Ericsson, 12%  – Samsung, 6% -LG, whilst  iPhone, Blackberry, HTC and Motorola brands are preferred, each by a 3 % segment of total respondents (in sum of 12%  from the questionnaire panel) -  according to the same  survey led by six students in Marketing, attending  Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Business Aminsitrationa and Economics, in partnership with Codespring, a Cluj-Napoca based software development provider. The reasearch aimed at examining the culture of young mobile phone users in Tansylvania.

Also, 30% of the respondents have correctly  defined what they considered a “smartphone”: consequently, from the received answers, it is considered a “smartphone” a device having its’ own operating system, a software installed, multiple functions, internet access and the capability to keep the pace with todays multimedia tools.
Smartphone owners offer more money for acquiring mobie phones: 39,3% would spend between EURO 70 and Euro 145 per device, 24% would spend even more, between EURO 145 and EURO 240, while 19,3% would actually give EURO 145 – EURO 357.  Associatinga lower market value for classic mobile phones, 35%  of total respondents would spend an average of EURO 25 – EURO 70 per device, 34,5% would give between EURO 70 and EURO 145, while another 12,1% would spend less than EURO 3 and EURO 24.

The analysis of smartphone users according to their academic background show that  51,1% of smartphone  users have attended technical and life science studies, 35% have attended social sciences, 8,7%  – sport and arts, while just 4,9%  have attended medical and pharmaceutical sciences.

This survey also emphasizes the link between the owners’ academic preparation and the brand they choose to buy: 75% of  HTC owners have technical and life science preparation, among BlackBerry owners 70% have attended social sciences, while iPhone users are very diverse, more than  40% of them have attended or are currently attending social sciences studies.
From the brand awareness point of view, in top of the list we may find Nokia, a brand scoring 93.90% from the total panel, closely followed by Sony Ericsson, with 68.90% and by Samsung, known by 62.99% of the respondents.

The communication function is appreciated by 57% of respondent women and by 64,1 % of respondent men; the multimedia function of a smartphone is being sought out only by  39,2% of women , in contrast with 53,3% of total men, while office applications on smartphones are appreciated by 17,9% of women versus 38,8% of men, and the least sought out applications are the financial ones (by 7,6 % of women and by 14,1% of men).

The majority of the interviewed persons (64%) are buying their smartphones from mobile phone supplier shops, then from the brand stores (20%) and from the second-hand market (20,7 %).

This survey was effectuated based on a set of 450 on-line questionnaires and 58 personal interviews. The average age of the respondents is 25 (years), 47,7% female and 52,3% male respondents.

The research was part of the European POSDRU programme, developed within Babes-Bolyai University, The Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, major in Marketing along with the direct implication and support of the private sector. The project was coordinated by prof. lector Anetta-Monika Alt, in partnership with Codespring a Cluj-Napoca based company, operating on the global software development market. The project’s major goal was to insure the professional setting for internship. The students that were involved in this project were: Bajkó Beáta, Bokor Attila, Borbély Bernadett, Búzás Réka Renáta, Herman Gábor és Návay Nóra.

Find out how government measures could affect Codespring and other software industry representatives. Discover what staff members is Codespring recruiting. An article by Andreea Magraon published in the Ziarul Financiar.

Cluj-Napoca-based company Codespring is currently searching for software engineers and testers

Author: Andreea Magraon

Published by: Ziarul Financiar, online version, on June 15th, 2010

Link: http://www.zf.ro/business-hi-tech/compania-clujeana-codespring-cauta-softisti-si-testeri-6423138

Cluj-Napoca-based company Codespring, a software development supplier, counts on a 10% growth in turnover for 2010, up to EUR 1,1 million compared to EUR 1,0 million registered last year.

Founded in 2005 with 100% Romanian private equity, Codespring is active on the software development market both as an independent supplier and as an outsourced supplier, General Manager Mr. Brem declared for Ziarul Financiar.

Codespring’s largest customers are the German supplier for integrated business solutions – Seeburger, the Hungarian company – Graphisoft and Teracue – the German dealer of IPTV equipment and broadcasting. According to the GM’s declarations, these contracts have allowed Codespring to enter and develop on the international market. The Cluj-Napoca-based company also has contracts with Vico Software and Datacolor, both from the USA.

During a recession period, this company is still looking to hire more staff.

“Codespring is currently involved in an active recruitment process; we are looking for experienced people in software development and testing, mostly Java and Symbian experts”, says Mr. Brem. Today, Codespring has 50 employees.

Regarding the Government’s recent measures and the potential tax increase, Codespring officials consider that the direct effect upon companies in this industry would be the increase in the cost of highly specialised work force. „Especially for outsourcing contracts, this could lead to a decrease in profit margins of local companies and the loss of a competitive edge that we currently have as opposed to other alternative geographic areas”.

“Indirectly, we will be forced to a play-off policy. In order to retain those customers who have chosen Romania as their software development center, local companies will be tempted to assume part of the cost variation or to initiate renegociations from a less favourable position than before”, the General Manager added.

The local software market is forecasted to reach EUR 680 million this year, based on contributions of outsourcing and IT services. According to analysts, the outsourcing sector may display a growth of up to 20%, while software development and services may grow by up to 10%. Last year the oustourcing market has recorded a total value of Euro 35 million, excluding the deals related to the telecom networks.

Codespring’s road to success.  A long story in short, told by the founder himself: Mr. Levente Szelyes. Find out how he started, what he faced and which principles are guiding our CEO while doing good business. An exclusive interview offered to BV Business Center.

Exclusive interview with Szélyes Levente for the BV Business Center

Translation of the original interview published in:

http://blog.bvbusinessconsulting.ro/antreprenori/antreprenori-de-succes-antreprenori-informatii-utile/antreprenori-de-succes-szelyes-levente-codespring/

1.What are the business fields in which you currently operate and what is the story of the business you own?

Since the past characterizes us, but the present defines us, I dare say I’m a lucky guy: each business that I helped develop, either as founder or as strategic partner, was related to the IT&C field, more precisely software development.

Out of the businesses I own, „Codespring”  and „Softech” are companies that operate on the global software development market both as an independent service provider and as outsourced provider.

Each business has a unique story. Yet, the development of each of them was marked by the vision that the founding team deeply printed in it. Looking back 12 years ago, when I laid the foundation of the first business (Softech), I now see that the cycle I went through is the same: I saw the opportunity, I made an inventory of existing skills and I answered the challenge. This is how Softech was born in 1998, Eurosoft International in 2000, Softline International in 2001 and Codespring in 2005.

All these businesses are related to the software development field: my passion.  As an entrepreneur, I always followed the optimal time for the „entry” and „exit” – things that I believe each owner should ponder at a certain moment.  I achieved two success exits (selling shares) and in my current portfolio I own the companies Softech and Codespring, to which I will refer now.

2. Which are the main products or services that you provide and what makes them different? Is there any strong point that makes them unique?

Codespring provides the full software development cycle, as well as specific services: consulting in defining and managing the software development projects, execution (programming in itself) and related services (support and technical assistance, helpdesk, upgrades etc).  We have teams that work as outsourced providers for global customers from the IT&C industry (Graphisoft, Teracue, Seeburger etc) and teams that work either directly for customers from various industries (food production, telecommunications, transportation and logistics, construction and design, media & entertainment, education, medical services etc. ), or develop our own products (Productis, iSpeed Cam).

As for the differentiating element, there is one, the most valuable for the customer: the added value that we bring with the Codespring formula: [knowledge of the business processes in over 15 industries] + [ the expertise acknowledged in software development].

The unique attribute is the Codespring print on all supply processes for services and products. I am thinking here of a set of values and a system of working that has proven quality, reliability, efficiency, agility and satisfaction.

3. Which is the key to your success in business and what are the steps you took to achieve success?

Honestly, I am very demanding when it comes to defining „success in business”. In exchange, speaking for here and now, I would refer to the „key of my achievements” until now.

…I would start with what I have learnt from my own experience, as a programming engineer who started without initial training in sales and marketing (J): key number 1: always try to think from the customer’s perspective, to understand what he expects from your team and what solution answers his needs.

…And… I would insist on something that’s very specific to our industry and that I would like to extrapolate at company and team level: key number 2: to own and to provide business continuity. A major risk in our field, yet present in other consulting or outsourcing businesses, is the risk of having your business activity interrupted from various reasons: changes in management or team structure, technical issues, financial problems, and others that I don’t need to mention. Once your company has made the commitment for a long-term reference project, you don’t afford any „distortion” in your program and in your service supply flow. Therefore, the „business continuity” principle is one of the key for success in the long term.

4. Which are the marketing strategies that you have used in promoting the company?

I have mainly used two marketing strategies: 1) direct references from customers and 2) strategic partnerships with customers, providers and collaborators. In our field, these two promotion strategies have proven to be the most viable. Once the business has increased, then of course we have used the full promotion mix depending on the specific nature of services and products that we wanted to promote.

5. What professional objectives have you set for this year?

For 2010 my objective is consolidation at all levels and mobilization of resources to capitalize opportunities. We are preparing the steps for the following business development phase and it is very important for us to have the team by our side, a team that’s well trained and ready to handle new projects.

6. You are a success owner: what do you think the future trends will be in the Romanian business environment ?

2009 definitely was a year of tremendous economic change at global level. Neither Romania nor the IT&C industry were spared. We all put our efforts together in order to enhance quality, to have a closer follow-up of deadlines and to provide the most adequate solutions. In my opinion, the Romanian business environment will follow the global trend of „reshaping businesses”. Once the economic recession has impacted us, we have reassessed the way resources are used and the investments are directed. The IT&C industry has and will continue to have a major impact on the business environment through the new technological applications that redefine the way in which we interact, both as individuals and company representatives.  „Change” and „Evolution” in the software development industry is a fundamental prerequisite, and maybe this is why we feel at ease when witnessing these phenomena. Romanian managers and entrepreneurs generally respond well to challenges, thus I am confident that Romanian businesses will surge again.

7. Which are the basic principles that you follow in business?

The sum of basic business principles for me would be that „extraordinary businesses rely on extraordinary men”. With this thought in mind, I have always tried to surround myself with people of highest moral integrity, with talent and potential to become very competent in what they do. In software development these criteria are to be followed by the team and the customer’s team as well. When developing strategic partnerships with international companies, you have to lay the basis for a worthwhile collaboration that can only be achieved with a shared intellectual and ethical platform.

8. What are your business plans for the future?

Future plans target three major aspects. First of all, we wish to respect our vision and to become strategic partners of customers specialized in  IT&C, and with them to make our contribution in shaping the industry and our lifestyle. Second of all, we wish to be among the most sought-after teams of software developers in Central and Eastern Europe. Third and last but not least, we wish to commit our creativity and intellectual potential in developing products and software systems of best quality, by giving our full attention to social responsibility and ethic topics.

9. What advice do you give to young entrepreneurs and companies from Romania?

Given my own experience, but also the experience of managers of companies with whom we interact, I would recommend the new generation of entrepreneurs to make permanent improvement at all levels: personal and professional. And in particular I would advise all entrepreneur, manager or project initiator to carry things through. Failures are inevitable in the learning and developing process. The idea is to learn from them and to improve. Success belongs to those who make it to the top despite all obstacles.

10. And a closing now, please.

„Every end is a new beginning”. I would like my closing words to be a „foreword” or an „intro” for those who make the first steps on the path of developing their own business and in particular in the IT&C field. The career of an entrepreneur in software development is interesting; what matters is that we know when to switch to manager and then to leader. As for me and my team, the imminence of the „next edition” , „newest generation”  or „innovation” attracts us to new and new challenges.

I extend my thanks to the BV Business Center team for their initiative and I invite those who want to know us better to contact us.

Codespring invited students attending Babes-Bolyai University and Technical University to participate on 17th and 18th May at the 4th edition of “Codespring Open Days”.

Aim of this event was to provide students an inside view of daily activities at the company, as well as an opportunity to learn and have fun in the same time. Several students spent their afternoon of 17th & 18th May at our company’s headquarter.

After a few software development project presentations, students could learn more about new software development solutions in the IT industry through presentations performed by our project manager team.

Later in the afternoon an interactive technical quiz put students to the test. The players accumulating the highest scores received prizes. Finally, the day ended with a table soccer championship between students and Codespring staff members, everybody felt joyful.

Fourth Codespring Open Days was labeled a success by both participants and organizers.

We are happy to share with you all that Codespring was granted by the Governement with a Minimis Grant for development and modernization of small and medium – size companies based on the Governmental Order no. 1164/2007.

The main objective of this grant is to offer support for supplementary modernization of our company by acquiring multiple IT equipments, development tools & licences. The new investments will boost Codespring’s competitiveness and the development of the multi-modular informatic system which integrates the production processes of our Productis production control / inventory system.

This new equipments will contribute to the development of our new product-line by using these up to date technologies. Additionally, by shrinking the time allowed for development, our production-control and inventory system for the food-industry will gain superiority.

Our clients will directly benefit from this investment. Some features that ou will be glad to find are:

● data – storage possibility, redundance and permanent data back-up;

● the elimination of disturbing external factors through redundance (reducing delays generated by random power-failures, possible data loss, so.)

● 24 hours / 7 days availability for our clients with high quality services.

Once again, we thank to all students from the Faculty of Informatics & Mathematics, who attended our presentation on  the 5th of May, 2010 in the Central Building of Babes–Bolyai University focused on the  iPhone development for Apple Store.

All 50 participants gave a very positive feedback on the topic, therefore we plan to challenge you again with other related discussions.

Some ideas and opinions catched the audience’s attention. Our CEO pointed out the fact that we cannot ignore a world-wide development of a new way of life. For example: there is an expectancy that the data-traffic will double itself yearly, also there are more other expectancies for a brave new world, like: Mobile ramping faster than Desktop, Internet did and will be bigger than most think, 5 Trends converging (3G + Social Networking + Video + VoIP + Impressive Mobile Devices). That’s why one cannot ignore talking about the nowadays growing Smartphone Trends, since the mobile phone, as the new internet platform is always handy, increasing our capacities, also gives us the opportunity for relaxation.

Another catchpoint of the meeting was handled by our iPhone – Project Teamleader who made a funny little presentation about iPhone product implementation, design and publishing, sales and support opportunities on Apple Store / iTunes.

At the presentation’s half way, one of our iPhone specialists could not avoid leading a  technical presentation regarding the following themes: Objective C, Mac OS X, iPhone SDK, Open GL libraries, Hello World, 3D iPhone Graphics, 3D Animations and about iSpeedCam technologies & functionalities.

Finally, the night ended with a little snack – break, the students / participants having the opportunity to talk about the up-to-date technologies with our iPhone specialists, also to ask about other company or project-related questions.

The presentation was labeled a success by both participants and organizers and we are willing to organize similar events in the future as well. We encourage empirical learning and we want to assist students in gaining professional know-how, becoming later-on experts in their field.

Codespring is attending the Economic Mission in Germany launched by ARIES for the upcoming month. German IT&C professionals will have the opportunity to take a glimpse of what Romanian software development industry has to bring to the table.

Locations:  Stuttgart, Bonn, Aachen

Information and Communication Technology continues to play a major role in defining and influencing business processes and everyday lives and opens up new possibilities for growth in about every industry branch.  Therefore, Codespring, a Cluj-Napoca based, Romanian software development company is eager to present you available competences and know-how in the field.

Come and meet us, in person, between the 6^th and 11^th of June in Germany, where we will undertake the Economic Mission including following destinations: Stuttgart, Bonn and Aachen. The aim of the business trip is to present Romanian Software services via pre-scheduled personal meetings. The mission was launched by ARIES – the Romanian Association for Software and Electronics Industry and sponsored by the Ministry for Small and Medium Size Enterprises, Trade and Business.

According to the three-day business agenda, fifteen companies will represent the Romanian software industry in Germany where they will meet their counterparts from the Frauenhofer Institute for Manufacturing, Engineering and Automation and Aachen Chamber for Industry and Commerce.

The scheduled Economic Mission is an outstanding business exchange platform where the Romanian and German software industry representatives can share their strategies to follow up on technical challenges the software industry faces in our century and talk about the research projects they are currently being engaged in. Moreover, it is an interactive matchmaking session where you can meet software development service providers and choose partners for your outsourcing projects.

Looking forward to meeting you soon!

Codespring invites students attending Babes – Bolyai University (Faculty of Mathematics – Informatics) and Technical University (Faculty of Automation and Computer Science & Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology) to participate on the 17th and 18th May, at 14 PM at our “Codespring Open Days” 4th Edition

Our doors are open so that You get a glimpse of our company and its’ running projects !

The event aims to provide students an inside snapshot of our daily activities, but is also an opportunity to learn and have fun ! :-)

Part of the program:

-   First: our project managers will present  you our running software development projects

-   Afterwards,  we will make you a tour of our headquarters & infrastructure

-   … following an interactive technical game (quiz) which will put students to the test; the players reaching the highest scores will be awarded a prize.

-   Finally, we will close the day with a table soccer championship between students and Codespring staff members.

We are certain that our 4th „Codespring Open Days” will once again be labelled a success by both participants and organizers.

Indulge your curiosity and have a  look…!