CARIBBEAN BUSINESS THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010S P E C I A L R E P O R T S11

BY CARLA LEWIS

Executives are becoming more and more dependant on infor-

mation technology (IT) as it plays an increasingly vital role in the busi-ness world. That trend spurred the creation of the Information Tech-nology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework, which started out in the United Kingdom as a way to admin-istrate IT sources, to enable IT divi-sions to adopt the “best practices” to execute business and IT related mat-ters to produce better communication between these sectors.

“The government wanted to docu-ment the information that was avail-able. As a result of technology, peo-ple started to identify opportunities and began drafting better theories of what the best practice of these

products were,” explained José L. Casas, senior vice president of the Technology Systems and Operations Division of EVERTEC.

“As more businesses became unsat-isfi ed with the uses of technologies in companies, IT professionals adopted better practices and started to revo-lutionize them by creating books to document them,” he added.

Evertec, an IT branch of Popular Inc., currently has more than 100 people working on both the internal use of ITIL and for the support of its clients.

“Through ITIL, people and technol-ogy work together for the objectives of the business where technology is considered one of the necessary tools to establish a strategy,” Casas explained,

This system involves people, systems and processes. Among the results ITIL offers are better quality

of services for clients or employees, investment alignment, increased ef-fi ciency and reduced costs.

“We sell solutions for companies by teaching a them to be more com-petitive,” Casas said.

He added that because of the In-ternet and the access to products and services of companies, ITIL allows Puerto Rican businesses to compete with others in the island and around the world.

“Every business can choose which ones they want to use, depending on their needs. It isn’t a regulation so there is fl exibility in what you do with ITIL,” he said.

Casas added that although one of the challenges for companies may be investing large portions of their budget on technology, Casas assured

BY CARLA LEWIS

Maintaining business stability in a shaky economy is one of the

most important, and most diffi cult, challenges for companies to meet. With odds going against many busi-nesses, company chiefs have their plates full and may need an extra hand.

Pou Vendrell, CPA & Associates, established in 2008, specializes in providing business fi nance advisory services in Puerto Rico.

“Our goal is to help clients build business value,” said Ricardo Pou Vendrell, managing partner of the fi rm.

The fi rm works closely with the ex-ecutives in charge of fi nancial and strategic planning within a company to fi nd real solutions to the economic and competitive challenges within the client’s industry.

“The state of this economy became our opportunity to establish a spe-cialized consulting fi rm that focuses on strategic and fi nancial planning,” Pou Vendrell explained.

He added that the tough economy has made companies realize they

have to start putting more emphasis on their plans. On the other hand, if the recession has already affected the client company, Pou Vendrell and his team work on the client’s op-erational and administrative skills looking for different ways in which clients can earn profi ts by focusing on core business.

“All of this requires planning,” Pou Vendrell said.

Acknowledging that tight fi nancial markets are a major challenge these days, Pou Vendrell stressed that his fi rm can decipher the necessary strategies and fi nancing structures so companies can reach all available fi -nancing options.

“A lot of businesses are looking for new sources of revenue to post better results and are also looking for the best operational effi ciency possible,” he said.

The credit crunch has spurred the search for nontraditional fi nancing. Pou Vendrell said his fi rm can help in that area, fi nding sources of fi nanc-ing that may provide the solutions for the business plan.

“We identify those avenues so cli-ents don’t have to limit themselves to depending on commercial banks alone,” he said.

The managing partner said Pou Vendrell’s role in helping clients benefi ts the island economy as well through projects that create more jobs and increase investments to al-low businesses to develop to their full potential.

“We offer a service that enhanc-es business success. Companies,

management teams and business owners are focused on the big pic-ture: their vision. They need help on the details and we can help validate their vision,” Pou Vendrell said.

Pou Vendrell noted that it can be hard for executives to understand how important it is to have a good team and how complicated it can sometimes be to fi nd a perfect one.

“Businesses need to have a team that is very professional and hard-working because in the end, it’s not the business idea that will make a company successful but the effective-ness and commitment of the manage-ment team in the implementation of plans and strategies,” he said.

A more than 15-year veteran of the commercial banking industry with hands-on experience with small and midsize businesses, Pou Vendrell recognizes the strengths and weak-nesses of businesses and understands the need for companies to maximize their profi ts and maintain steady growth. He acknowledged every business is different.

“Getting to know businesses well is key to recommend the strategies they should adopt,” he concluded. �

Business fi nance advisory services your company may need

Ricardo Pou Vendrell, managing partner of

Pou Vendrell, CPA & Associates

An IT solution for all businesses

José L. Casas, senior vice president of the Technology Systems and

Operations Division of EVERTEC

Continued on page S12

CARIBBEAN BUSINESS THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010S P E C I A L R E P O R T S6

BY CARLA LEWIS

The Dreyfous Professional Training Center (DPTC), a division of A New Vision in Edu-

cational Services and Materials Inc., dba Drey-fous & Associates, quickly became the ideal place for business meetings since its opening in 2004 because it adapts to companies’ specifi c needs.

Enery Ortiz, vice president at Dreyfous & Associates and 16-year industry veteran, explained that the division was born out the company’s commitment to developing innovative, educational and technological methods that positively impact the educational process in Puerto Rico and beyond.

Located in the Buen Pastor area of San Juan, DPTC has everything businesses need to run corporate events in a single comfortable facility.

“Our company offers all the necessary services businesses need to create a whole event without the need to move or contract other suppliers to do certain, specialized jobs,” Ortiz said.

DPTC boasts four 800-square-foot meeting rooms and one 680-square-foot room. Computer labs with projection and sound equipment are also available for businesses that need high-speed Internet or video-conference capability and

technical assistance is also provided to make the most of the equipment. Moreover, DPTC also offers tech seminars through Computer Pro on MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, among others.

Clients can stage professional activities in a secure and enjoyable environment when using DPTC’s services. Clients are drawn from across the full range of industries including: commercial, industrial, pharmaceutical, publishing, banking, nonprofi ts, health, engineering, education and consulting organizations, among many others.

Amid globalization and constant technological changes, Ortiz said more companies every day are turning to consulting fi rms to help with strategic planning and fi nancial situations to help them reach their goals.

“It’s a market that constantly needs to receive new information about the current situation in the different industries using several different

technologies and DPTC provides what is required for this dynamic task,” Ortiz said.

“Our biggest challenge is maintaining quality service while adding new elements and keep prices accessible for our clients, especially during these diffi cult times,” Ortiz said.

DPTC has developed the grounds of its offi ce facilities by expanding space for parking and adding a fountain to create a unique and sophisticated atmosphere as people walk in. Moreover, the DPTC-supplied notepads will be adorned with the works of Puerto Rican artist Augusto Marín and will also include his biography.

“It’s very important for us to support local art to help people learn about it and appreciate it,” Ortiz explained.

DPTC currently has two offers available with special pricing through July 23.

The Corporate Offer,which requires a minimum of 25 participants, includes breakfast, lunch and two snacks, bottled water, notebook and pen for each participant. WiFi capability, projection and sound equipment, a support staff, three welcome signs and parking space are provided.

The Techno Offer, which requires a minimum of 20 participants, includes breakfast and a snack, bottled water, notebook and pen for each participant. The package includes a computer lab with projection equipment, WiFi capability, technical assistance, three welcome signs and parking space availability.

Ortiz described DPTC’s prices as “highly competitive” and assured that its installations have everything needed to hold a successful activity.

“Our service is the winning ticket when it comes to rental facilities,” Ortiz said, who praised her staff as the most important source of the company’s success.

“They are dedicated and proud and they go out of their way to make clients happy by collaborating with one another so the job gets done properly,” she said.

DPTC periodically evaluates clients’ activities to see how they can improve.

“Our professionalism, teamwork and quality service distinguish us as the ideal place,” Ortiz concluded. �

A unique space for today’s successful businesses

Enery Ortiz, vice president,Dreyfous & Associates

“Our service is the winning ticket when it comes to rental facilities.”

—Enery Ortiz, vice president at Dreyfous & Associates