Interviewed by: Yasir Saeed

Strengthening its ties with the leading Software House of Pakistan, CodeWeek landed in Netsol this week. Always welcoming our team with great enthusiasm this place is loaded with success stories.

To prove our claim we bring to you, Omer Ghauri, Vice-President Netsol. He has been associated with the software house since the past six years. Being a tech geek he knows how to use technology for enhancing and improving business productivity. Yasir caught him in his office and brought Omer Ghauri’s inspiring words with him for CodeWeek’s readers.

Omer Ghauri

CodeWeek: Briefly tell us about you, your family background, your education from beginning to the last highest degree earned?

Omer: I was brought up in Karachi and moved to Lahore after my O’ level’s. Soon after, I applied to James Madison University in Virginia (U.S.A) where I completed my undergrad in Computer Information Systems and Finance in 2002.

CodeWeek: What attracted you to the specific field of Software Development?

Omer: I was really infatuated with the idea of using technology to improve business productivity in organizations. Software development became an area of interest as time went by.

CodeWeek: What would you tell budding Software enthusiasts as to what is Software Development?

Omer: Most of the people feel that Software Development relates only with programming but software development includes all activities that results in software products. This includes research, development, re-engineering, maintenance, management or any other activities that result in software products. If you have out of box thinking and have new ideas you can excel in this field very rapidly.

CodeWeek: Tell us about major personal achievements in your life.

Omer: Honestly, I have a long way to go before I answer this question truthfully. Since I have to answer, I would say that I am extremely proud to successfully leading a group of 250 I.T professional from various backgrounds and maintain our 100% software development delivery record.

CodeWeek: What is your broad perception about the Software Engineering community in Pakistan as it stands today?

Omer: Pakistani Software Engineers have proven their abilities world widely and they are doing very well in world leading Software Organizations like MicroSoft, Sun , Oracle etc.  Pakistan Software Community is doing good job but their should be more interaction within the community  to server the information and  career-development needs of today’s computing researchers and practitioners with technical journals, magazines, conferences, books, conference publications,

CodeWeek: According to you, which technology is the need of future that our young professionals must adopt to excel?

Omer: Technologies are rapidly changing, day by day we have new software’s, languages and various products. Instead of any computer technology specific there is a need to make your designing and architecture skills strong. Until and unless you never know about the designing you cannot go for further. So the youngsters must adopt the new trends but they should focus more towards the software architecture and design.

Omer Ghauri

Omer: No doubt, the Government is taking steps to promote IT sector but we feel that one area of field is still untouched and that is of need of Research Centers in Pakistan. Government should take steps to establish the research centers in IT sector where the talented minds can enhance and polish their abilities.

CodeWeek: What are critical points for sound Software Development?

Omer: As I said before that Software Development includes all activities that results in software products it’s a team work and each section is equally important. However our experience shows Requirement Gathering and Software designing need some extra care.  In nutshell each phase of Software Development is critical.

CodeWeek: What are major responsibilities of Development Manager or Project Manager heading a Team?

Omer: Development Manager plays a very important role during software development life cycle. He is responsible for ensuring the coordination of various development efforts that take place in parallel on the projects and ensuring that we are proceeding with tasks in the proper order and with the proper priority. Development manager assembles and manages the team of IT professionals during software development and act as a technical mentor to their developers. He plans and implements policies and procedures for Information system development.

CodeWeek: What are your personal professional plans for the immediate future for the next 10 years?

Omer: I plan on doing my executive M.B.A in the immediate future. In the years to come, I see myself leading a successful organization.

This Glimpse of serenity belongs to, ‘Sandspit Beach Karachi’.

Experience and expertise are the main requirements when you wish to capture such a sight.  Well we have excellent talent in the very core of our country.

This particular glimpse comes from one of our contributor, Shuja ur Rehman who is currently associated with one of the largest media groups of Pakistan.

By: Farah Zaheer Khan

A DESIRE TO DREAM, DARE AND DO

With the end of Febtastic February, we bring to you another exciting cycle in March, which is in process of preparation, SOFTEC 2010. Here is your chance of joining the largest IT extravaganza of  Pakistan and win exclusive prizes.

Currently, Softec has extended its date of registration, so those who still wish to join in, here is your chance.

The Softec enthusiasts are here to share with you how they are working hard day and night in order to make this event successful. Every individual here has his story to tell. Each individual belonging to the Softec team is ready to go on the roller coaster ride which is only weeks away. Let us introduce you to these enthusiasts and how they are on their way towards the finale.

Since registrations are in full swing here we start with, Shigrif Khan, General Secretary, who shows off his wallet, which is loaded with one day’s registration fee.

While the busy president, Mohsin Zaka, ignores the camera

Farah Zaheer (Assistant Vice President), engrossed in her work.

Kamran Lodhi, head evaluations, tries to smile at the photographer while at work on his black laptop.

Marketing Head trying his level best to impress and convince a sponsor on the phone, our advice go catch him in his office.

Creative Design Team At Work. (Rt- Waqas Qamar)

Head Interior Décor with her Assistant.

From right: Sehrish Riaz (Head Interior Decor), Maria Akbar (Assistant Interior Decor)

IX Volunteers at Work

This week you became a part of preparations of Softec 2010. Stay tuned for we have more for next week in our bank. Next week you will definitely catch a glimpse of the next chapter of preparations. The IT extravaganza is not far away, so hurry up and register yourself before Shirgif completes his counting.

By: Sara Waqar

”Are you tired of your current employer? Do you wish to put your brilliant and innovative ideas into practice? Do you want to make money online? Attend our webinar and we will teach you so and so. Sign up to our newsletter and we will provide you with the best and up-to-date tip of how to become an Entrepreneur. Our tips will help you make money and become rich in no time…”

And so the richy rich promises go on and on and on…

No matter what business venture you are about to enter, whether it is online, offshore or home based, would you read further? The amateurs would, on the other hand, the experienced will also read it, why? In order to laugh at the busted promises, such words make. Many end up being victims, The powerful words used to entice the reader are very intricately woven, because they know their prey’s psyche, and that is what makes them successful (and readable).

It’s true that everybody these days wants to gain chunks of money through internet or through any other business or any idea they could get hold of.

ENTREPRENEUR has thus evolved as being the coolest term these days. Everyone wishes to term themselves as an entrepreneur. It sounds cool and hip, makes one in vogue. Entrepreneur! become richy rich overnight.

Twitter, facebook and blogging etc, have given birth to a new way of making money, which is, catching the target through online presence.

A few days back I heard someone saying,

“My son is an Entrepreneur”. Ending it with a sarcastic laugh, “That is what you say when you don’t have a job.”

I did not know whether it was a joke or what. So with a little chuckle I turned the conversation towards a new topic which was miles away from Entrepreneurship. But this does not solve the problem, entrepreneurship is a big”?” (Question mark)

The other day a notification from twitter said, ABC is following you on Twitter. I logged in at twitter in order to search that particular ABC, and what I discovered was three tweets on ABCs profile which said,

“Now how to make money through twitter? Someone help me make some moneyyyy puleeezzz.”

Rich overnight, with minimum effort? Well yes, this is often the main goal of all the acquisition presented to us. Are these flop online marketing efforts? Most of these appear out of insecurity, instability and a desire of reaching the top with minimal effort within a minimal time. These are the key ingredients of failure. Lack of identifiable goals and role models often lead one towards the wrong way.

“Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.” E Joseph Cossman

“A Leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way” John C Maxwell

You must be thinking who exactly was John and why did he quote this line, simply because John C Maxwell is a leadership expert. He has had the honor of training 5 million leaders across the world. In order to jump in something new experience is required, and this experience can be achieved through “the experienced”. A role model, a guide is necessary for reaching the top. Because his experiences and ideas help you choose the right way.

Do not choose your way on your own, guidance is highly necessary. Because over confidence may not be the key to successful planning and healthy growth.  That is what Larry Kersten meant when he said,

“Overconfidence – Before you attempt to beat the odds, be sure you could survive the odds beating you.”

Take risks only when you know that you are ready for them, remember, support, experience and passion are the key towards successful entrepreneurship.

“Entrepreneurs are risk takers, willing to role the dice with their money or reputations on the line in support of an idea or enterprise” Victoria Claflin Woodhull

It’s time that we should be aware of these false acquisitions, as (often) they are mere words pulling their targets towards them. Falling prey to such exciting and enticing words does not always work out.it all comes through hard work. Figure out what you want to do, how you want to do it and when exactly are you ready for it. Because at the end of the day

“The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow, Not next week but Today. The true Entrepreneur is a doer not a dreamer” Nolan Bushnell

by: Sara Waqar

Do you wish to do more than just making phone calls through your mobiles, well say it out loud then because as the ‘febtastic’ month comes to an end and the era of social networking takes a completely new turn in Pakistan. Not just a mere turn but also a giant leap towards innovation.

From the rich and bright land of LUMS came Chopaal. Saving your thumbs and your credit through a new form of mobile social networking. Chopaal very interestingly brought friends together where they could easily interact through the exchange of SMS free of charge. Making itself more efficient everyday Chopaal has a new friend in the market to compete with.

An energetic group of engineers just pringed life into the mobile social networking era through ‘pringit’.

Now no matter which location you are at pringit will search you find you and connect you with your friends from your cell phone from anywhere in Pakistan.   With an amazing presentation Pringit is definitely leading the way.

The simple, clear yet entertaining add attracts many- if you know your target audience then you know how to reach out to them. And pringit has just done that.

With a perfect desi presentation, the crispy pringit advert represents the youth of today in a typical Paki way. For those who find it difficult to comprehend what pringit is all about, the advert serves as a remarkable explanation, and the best part is, it is in Urdu.

Pakistan has rich innovative talent studded in its core, one idea leading to another and another to another, developing, discovering and revolutionizing the Software Industry of Pakistan.

You can visit the mobile social networking websites by following the links below,

http://www.pringit.com/

http://www.chopaal.pk/index.php

Weekly Highlights:

Top 3 Employers

1. Nextbridge (14 Openings)

2. Strategic Systems (12 Openings)

3. Extreme Vision (8 Openings)

Top 3 Categories

1. Sr. PHP Software Engineer

2. PHP Software Engineer

3. SQA Engineer & Sr. .Net Software Engineers

Area wise Ranking

1. Lahore (109 Job Openings)

2. Karachi (48 Job Openings)

3. Islamabad (46 Job Openings)

Jobs by Employer

Jobs by Category (Sector)

Jobs by Area

TREND REPORT (By Job Categories)

Fly By has been developed by Web Sketchers, a team of individuals who graduated from FAST-NU Lahore in 2009.

Web Sketchers is proud to present the first 3D Flash web-based game to be developed in Pakistan on Facebook - Fly By

Fly By is a highly enticing game and already, they have registered more than 600 users from throughout the world. As you will see for yourself, the game is visually spectacular, rich in colors, and incorporates eye-catching 3D modeling.

Fly By is a game where the player is the pilot of a renegade aircraft on the run through the city skyline. The player has to evade high flying hot air balloons and tall standing skyscrapers to save the aircraft, earn points, and reach new levels of play. Consequently, friends can be challenged to find out who’s the best aviator in the sky! The game was officially launched on the 9th of February, 2010 on Facebook

Please use the following link on Facebook to play:

http://apps.facebook.com/flybygame

And so with the start of another month the events of the year 2010 start rolling again.

Not everyone’s stagnant with cold these days. As the snow melts across the world new competitions and new excitement take their turn in order to energize every ‘sleepy hollow’ out there.

So shake all the sloppiness and laziness off and get ready for the Mega Event of the Year .

11^th All Pakistan Science Fair invites all from every part of Pakistan to join GIKI  Science Society from 19^th February till 21^st Feb, 2010.

Teams from all over the country will be competing for the prestigious Trophy.

The Event has been divided into two main categories:

• Science Contest
• Science Exhibition

Science Contest:

This part comprises of four rounds:

• Eureka Round: Round objective will be to solve the general physics experiments by using the minimum apparatus.

• Model Making Round: Round objective will be to solve a given practical problem using the given material. A given problem may be to make a projectile launcher.

• Kasoty Round: Round objective will be to test the knowledge of the participants about the history and development of science.

• Quiz Round: Round objective will be to check the concepts of the participants about physics.

Science Exhibition:

Focusing on physics and electronics, this exhibition will exhibit interesting projects made by students and will be judged by faculty members. The winners will go home with prize money in heir pockets and certificates in their hands.

Entertainment Night:

We don’t think we need to explain the above-mentioned term further. GIKI Science Society will be arranging a fun filled entertainment nigh for all the participants. So what are you waiting for?

Idrees Khokhar, an MCS, LLB is the at Team Lead of Software Engineering Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, having lead and developed a fairly famous Software HOPE – for Hospital Management.

Interviewed by: Sultan Muhammad

CodeWeek: Briefly tell us about you, your family background, and your education from beginning to the last highest degree earned?

Idrees: My father is a retired government officer, having served Government of Punjab for 37 years. My late mother was housewife. My eldest sister is Doctor and works for Fatima Jinnah Medical College. My second sister teaches Statistics in Lahore College University. My elder brother flies planes for Shaheen Airways. Younger brother has done MBA from USA and is working in New York.

My schooling is from Government Central Model School, Lower Mall Lahore. I did my FSc from Government College Lahore. I got my LLB degree from Punjab University. Then I did ACMA (foundation) from ICMA. I did my MCS from National College, Lahore.

Apart from development, I love to play and watch cricket and football. Reading is limited to IT books only.

CodeWeek: What attracted you to the specific field of Software Development?

Idrees: Some of my close friends were working in different software houses. Their discussions regarding software development attracted me initially. Further, during MCS classes analysis and design subjects became my favorite. When I got a job opportunity in Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, I decided to adopt it as career.

CodeWeek: What would you tell budding Software enthusiasts as to what is Software Development?

Idrees: For this, I would prefer to quote contents from Wikipedia:

Software development is the act of working to produce/create software.

The term software development is often used to refer to the activity of computer programming, which is the process of writing and maintaining the source code, whereas the broader sense of the term includes all that is involved between the conception of the desired software through to the final manifestation of the software. Therefore, software development may include research, new development, modification, re-use, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other activities that result in software products. For larger software systems, usually developed by a team of people, some form of process is typically followed to guide the stages of production of the software.

For me Software Development is fun and passion !

CodeWeek: Tell us about major personal achievements in your life.

Idrees: As a team member and team lead, development of Hospital Information System (HOPE) and DICOM based PACS solution under the guidance of domain experts (Consultants, Doctors, Financial and Material Management Experts and relevant technical staff in all departments of the Hospital) is biggest achievement of my life.

HOPE is currently operational in following the three hospitals:

1. Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore
2. Social Security Hospital, Lahore
3. National Institute of Heart Diseases (NIHD/AFIC) Islamabad

Deployment is in progress at the following two hospitals:

1. Maroof Hospital, Islamabad
2. Social Security Hospital, Muzaffargarh.

This ERP solution comprise of Clinical, Financial, Material Management and Administrative modules.

The step-by-step development and implementation at SKM was in this order:

Patient Registration and Appointments

• Orders Management System
• Pathology and Blood Bank
• Radiology
• Nuclear Medicine and Imaging Management
• Pharmacy
• In-patient
• Surgery
• Medical Records
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• General Ledgers
• Operational Budgeting System
• Provident-Funds System
• A/C Receivables System
• Financial Support Assessment
• Payroll Management System
• Charity Management System
• Materials Management System
• Fixed Assets System
• A/C Payables System
• Human Resource
• Library Management etc.

Having all these modules in operation, the hospital has a number of benefits including placement of an effective and on-line management information system, timely diagnostic decisions, timely clinical and financial decisions, elimination of manual work, elimination of duplicate activities, elimination of loop holes etc.

While developing the software, it was kept under mind to use the international coding standards i.e. CPT, ICDO9 etc.

Our MIS department is a registered software house with the PSEB. We are ISO9001and CMMI-level2 certified.

Other recent activities are conversion of Application into web-based technology. We are also in the efforts of having compliance of the system with international health standards i.e. HL7

CodeWeek: How would you advise youngsters who wish to join and pursue Software Development as a career?

Idrees: Software development for me is fun, where daily we face new challenges. Creative people usually fall in love with software development activities. Anyone with creative and analytical skills should adopt it as a career.

CodeWeek: What is your broad perception about the Software Engineering community in Pakistan as it stands today?

Idrees: In general our Software Engineers are very talented and hardworking and we can compare their skills with any other countries. Our teams have developed excellent software with limited resource in short times. Shaukat Khanum’s IT team is just an example. I have found most of my current and Ex-team members excellent professionals.

I think our software engineering community has full potential to grow.

CodeWeek: What would be your advice to the GoP regarding enhancement of the IT Sector?

Idrees: Start tangible IT projects in Government Institutes to utilize IT skills of local companies

Open more technical institutes for specialized IT education, work with IT industry leaders like Microsoft, Oracle, Intel etc to arrange best trainers and trainings in these institutes. Provide scholarships to deserving students to get free education in these institutes; Organize multinational IT related seminars, exhibitions and conferences in Pakistan, invite delegations from different countries to visit local software houses/institutes to get first hand knowledge of our local industry talent.

CodeWeek: What are critical points for sound Software Development?

Idrees: I think that close interaction with client for clear understanding of requirement, proper documentation, knowledge of skill set available with company and realistic estimation of tasks are critical points for sound s/w development. If client is satisfied and using the software then it is successful.

CodeWeek: What are major responsibilities of Development Manager or Project Manager heading a Team?

Idrees: Apart from planning and monitoring development activities and risks, the Manager must interact/communicate with all stake holders especially client and development team on regular basis. The manager is responsible to solve issues and arrange required resources at the right time.

This is responsibility to manager to provide proper atmosphere for the team. Professional growth of team members through trainings is also manager’s responsibility.

CodeWeek: What are your personal professional plans for the immediate future for the next 10 years?

Idrees: SKM management has a vision to help Health organizations (especially hospitals) in Pakistan to automate their functions to bring them one step ahead from their current position. I would like to work as a team member and try my best to make it possible.

Further I would like to improve my own qualifications.

Apple says, Think Different.
CodeWeek says ‘THINK LALUKHET’. Heres To The Coders: The Chronicles of LaluKhet Part 2

By: Sara Waqar Khan

Think Beyond Code, Think Different…Or THINK at least

Raise your hands if you have already heard the poem/commercial from Apple,
‘Think Different”. Ok hands down, I know all the techies and nerdies already have had a chance of viewing this short 60 seconds video.

Excellent script
Excellent voice over
And excellent Look and Feel

But if I ask you about your inspirational 60 seconds, what would be your answer?

‘HUH…’ (I know this left you completely BLANK and CLUELESS)

So, heres to the crazy ones, who spend 95 hours every day in front of their PCs.
Who just don’t care as their bellies perturb,
Who love fried samoosas, grilled kebabs and roasted Chicken right in front of them on their desks,
Who are not as dissatisfied as they seem, and
Who are crazy about coding…

CodeWeek invites you to join its Thinking Project.
Since Software Pros never think beyond code. Thus in order to make you ‘think’, CodeWeek has developed a thinking code for you. If followed, the 9 Ls via Rajesh Setty, it will transform a Software Pros life completely, taking it towards a completely new track.

The Thinking Track.

As you mature and become more experienced…uhum… I mean…
as you grow OLD, We all need to learn and know ourselves in and out.  We need to discover the inner game of the mind and the outer game of the world.

In order to Learn the Inner Game/ The Mind Game, you need to follow simple steps, which can serve as refined fresh fruit for you life:
1. Learn:
“The more we study, the more we discover our ignorance,”- Percy

Life is a series of deadlines, projects and struggle. These three areas develop you, mature you and help you grow. From being an ‘ignorant freak’, you can transform yourself into a pro only through ‘learning’. This in turn transforms you into a ‘Hot shot’, ‘most wanted’ employee or member of a team. So from here the MIND GAME begins.

2.Laugh:
“He who laughs most learns best”. – John Cleese
For a change Laugh at yourself, at your own mistakes or at your own plans; none will dare to laugh at you ever again. Because those who know ‘growth’, know their  track towards it.

3.Look
Walk an extra mile, consider changing usual tracks, follow the unusual. Look beyond what is required of you. In order to be at the top, volunteer.

4.Leave A Lasting Impression
“Be a first rate version of yourself, and not a second rate version of someone else”- Judy Garland
Just Be Yourself…

5.Love
Love your work, love your life and love yourself the most, everything else….will follow.

The Outer Game/ The World Itself, has more to it,

6.Leverage
“Life is not having and a getting, but a being and a becoming”. – Myrna Loy
Its time that you should learn and then develop your skills. Identity your strengths and assets. Your goals will be 60 seconds away, because we are sure that by now, you have started thinking.

7.Likability
“Worry not that no one knows you; seek to be worth knowing.” – Corndell Hull

Don’t beg people to like you. If you want everyone to appreciate you and your work Think Different, Be different and the rest will follow…

8.Listen
Observe to what the victorious does, listen to what he says, then practice his ways in accordance with your own understanding. Almost everyone knows this secret, but very few ever dare to practice it.  Now is your chance.

9. Lead
“Its not enough to have a good mind, the main thing is to use it well”. – Rene Descartes.

Lead the way. Look for the gaps, find them, hunt them down and then is your chance of taking them down. Fill them with your persona.

Whether we are referring to the inner or the outer game, at the end of the day, it is always The Mind Game.

Conclusion
“Life is too short for a long story”- Lady Mary Wortley

Apple compiled it up in 60 seconds, we did it in this one page essay. How far have you succeeded in developing your own track, or are you still enjoying the fried samoosas, and the grilled kebabs.  Are you thinking?

CodeWeek invites your collective intelligence to join our Thinking project. Because we know you have it, and we know you can do it.