Computer Associates To Open Mainframe Center In Prague

Computer Associates said it is establishing its first worldwide Mainframe Center of Excellence in Prague in a commitment that will jump its employment from 20 in Prague and neighboring Bratislava to 200. The firm said the recruitment phase of the endeavor is already underway with the staff expected to be in place by August.

"The new Center will focus on software development, maintenance, validation and quality assurance for the mainframe computing environment," CA said Thursday. The firm said it chose the capital of the Czech Republic because of its highly-educated workforce and the strong mainframe education offered at Czech universities as well as Prague's strategic location in the European Union.

CA veteran executive Patrick Pochard will manage the Center. Pochard has filled various development and management positions at CA over the past 14 years. The company added that 65 percent of new hires at the Center will be hired from neighboring universities, many of which offer courses in mainframe computing.

CzechInvest is assisting in the establishment of the Center, providing expert advice and incentives. CzechInvest is the Investment and Business Development Agency of the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade.