In today's corporate world, information is power. How you manage that power is often the difference between success and failure.
VELA Information Management Consultants is a company dedicated to creating effective, innovative solutions through information systems development.
"The core of our business is the design, development and implementation of information systems in a business context," says Jack Nixon, director of marketing with VELA.
"One of the most important services we provide is helping companies manage large volumes of information, building systems that help companies navigate through those large volumes of information."
VELA offers a full range of services from business systems analysis and needs assessment through design and development to final implementation and support.
VELA's dedication to creating effective, innovtive information systems has established them as a leader in enterprise client/server solutions. The company's consultants are proficient in today's leading development environments, including Oracle, Sybase, Watcom, Powerbuilder and 4th Dimension.
VELA is also utilizing the Internet to deliver data-based business solutions, says Nixon. "We take a different approach to the Internet than most businesses. We can take your database application, which is the core of your system, and implement it through the Internet."
The company also provides additional Internet services including connectivity consulting, firewall design and installation, electronic mail integration, Domain Name System setup, and installation and configuration of most Internet services.
VELA has enjoyed constant growth since its formation four years ago as an external division of Clifton Associates Ltd., a firm specializing in earth sciences engineering, and a long-time tenant of Innovation Place. VELA is located within the park, at 203 - 211 Research Drive.
Clifton Associates and VELA continue to share a working relationship, says Nixon. "We stay very focused on the expertise we have within our two organizations, that being a very tight technology understanding within VELA, and a very tight engineering aspect within Clifton."
The two divisions complement each other in their areas of expertise, he adds. "VELA brings in the information technology expertise and the systems development approach, while Clifton supplies the engineering expertise, and the reputation and knowledge of environmental management."
Combining the strengths of VELA and Clifton Associates has resulted in the development of a new environmental data management system, called Envista. VELA recently introduced Envista at the Canadian Institute of Mining Show, held in Edmonton at the end of April.
"Envista helps companies take a standards-based approach to capturing and maintaining environmental data," says Nixon. "Any company, whether mining or other resource-based industries, that has to monitor and collect environmental data could use Envista to manage their information and streamline regulatory reporting."
With offices in Saskatoon, Regina and Calgary, VELA has grown to a current staff level of 25, 12 of whom are based at Innovation Place.
"Our growth is being driven by the growth of the information services sector," says Nixon. "There is a real need for companies that can help apply today's technology to solve information problems for businesses, whether small, medium or large."
Nixon says that VELA Information Management Consultants finds many advantages to having its head office located at Innovation Place. "We have enjoyed a strong partnership with a number of organizations within the park, including the University of Saskatchewan, SaskTel, GlobalEd, and other engineering-related firms.
"We have found that a number of companies within Innovation Place have the diverse skill sets we require to help us complete the tasks and challenges our clients have set before us."