|
 |
|
|
Information technology is a growing, vital element of the St. Louis regional economy. In fact, an RCGA-commissioned study by the Battelle Memorial Institute completed three years ago identified IT as one of the St. Louis region’s distinctive industry sectors. Since that time, the region has been working to grow its IT sector as a key source of high paying jobs, as well as new products and services.
IT in the St. Louis region is moving at terabyte speed. Meet SAVVIS. Cyberspace CEO Rob McCormick takes the question mark out of IT. A terabyte? It’s equal to about 1,000 gigabytes. McCormick knows there is no such thing as the “latest” technology regarding IT, because IT changes faster than state-of-the-art labels.
SAVVIS writes software and customizes it for clients that range from Microsoft Corp. and Universal Music, to the Cheesecake Factory and Panera Bread. Since January, SAVVIS has provided managed network services to Panera, connecting more than 600 Panera cafes nationally, making it the largest provider of free Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Internet access in the United States. Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. stores use SAVVIS’ converged network services to support high-speed broadband Wi-Fi, allowing customers with a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) to access the Internet, check e-mail, connect to a corporate server or browse the web—all while sipping espresso or eating lunch.
But IT really is much more than just email and cafes. It truly is a necessary function in all business—be it hospitals, engineering firms, or advertising agencies. Everyone needs IT, which is why the RCGA and Washington University partnered recently to bring together more than 100 St. Louis regional IT leaders for an IT Summit focusing on the future and current needs of this expanding industry cluster. What developed is a clear understanding that more IT jobs soon will be available in St. Louis than people to fill them. Business, civic and education sector leaders must work together to strengthen the region’s IT workforce capacity.
As of November 2003, 43,100 people were employed in IT occupations in the St. Louis region. According to the Battelle Memorial Institute IT study and strategy commissioned by the RCGA, 60 percent of the region’s IT workers were employed by IT-user companies such as Monsanto, Anheuser-Busch, and Express Scripts, with the remainder employed by IT producers. These are high quality, high paying jobs paying an average salary of $62,660 per year, and are critically important to corporations across the region. The need for such workers is increasing at a rapid pace.
Finally, as Vice President of Research and Development and the Director of Pfizer’s
St. Louis lab, Dan Getman is our spotlight interview this month. Getman is militant when it comes to two things—baseball and Pfizer. When asked about his philosophy for a successful and happy life, he has more than one: “Enjoy the moment, and working together we can accomplish anything.”
And finally, we highlight a plethora of the region’s architectural firms in this issue, providing a glimpse into the specialties of each. We hope you’ll give them your consideration when considering your next expansion venture.
We hope you enjoy this issue of St. Louis Commerce. As always, we welcome your feedback and invite your suggestions for future story ideas to dfleming@stlrcga.org. Cheers.
RICHARD C.D. FLEMING
President and Chief Executive Officer
St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association
|
|
|
|
|
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
