J-R, not sure if you're aware of SAP R/3 but it isn't just any piece of software - it's probably the most comprehensive ERP (enterprise resource planning) package available today.
Increasingly, organizations are giving up trying to build their own home-made solutions for standard activities such as accounting, payroll, human resource management etc. and buying packaged solutions such as those offered by SAP, PeopleSoft and BAAN. While all these have their own consultants they need to partner with consulting companies to meet the demand for analysis, implementation planning, actual implementation, training and then systems operation and support. Demand is very high in these areas.
Once implemented however, these software companies typically are not in the business of operating systems - this is where CGI and other outsourcers stick around. So, a company now wanting to migrate or install an ERP can now call upon the best software in SAP and top notch implementation and operations services in CGI. Exactly what the National Research Council has done - you will see many more conversions to ERP in both the public and private sectors in the years to come.
By the way, if you read the release closely, you'll notice that it was put out by SAP, not CGI. Not to diminish SAP's global reputation in any way but that in itself may be an indication of the esteem in which the industry now holds CGI, especially as CGI is now itself an emerging global player.
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