Cgi-ams Company Scoops

My work experience with CGI-AMS

Posted by spider_web Mon, 25 Sep 2006 18:35:29 GMT

I was with CGI-AMS for a long time and decided to quit recently. Hopefully this information will help others and future employees:

Even though CGI and AMS had merged more than two years back, nothing much had changed internally from AMS perspective. AMS is a strong System Integrator (SI) in the same league as Accenture, while CGI is strong on infrastructure outsourcing in the same league as EDS. Right there, you can see two contrasting operating styles; from business sense, it makes lot of sense to merge a System Integrator with an Outsourcing Provider.

I haven’t had much (rather any) exposure to the CGI part of business. I was doing pretty much the same SI work as I was doing four years back. So my experience outlined here is pretty much on the AMS side of the company, which seems to be radically different from the CGI side.

• AMS is best known for its culture and their flexible work schedules, which was not impacted by the CGI merger at all. This is the main reason myself (and many others) had stayed with them for a long time despite compelling offers from competing system integrators.

• AMS employees have high moral values and are also smart – I will have no trouble inviting co-workers for a family occasion or the thanks-giving dinner. AMS is known for their delivery managers and project managers.

• Most of their businesses were repeat business, which speaks volume about their employees and their quality of work.

• The overall salary package was in par with the industry, even though few may not agree to that. The ability to leave office at 3:30 pm to attend a soccer game is far more important to me than few thousands dollars more.

• Work schedule is hectic most of the time and may require traveling based on your skill set. Again AMS is always flexible with travel arrangements unless the client has specific needs. I strongly believe this must be the same with all System Integrators – in a recent survey, IT came on top as the most stressful occupation, go figure!.

The flip side is that AMS is not a well known brand like Accenture – Often times I had to explain what CGI-AMS does in social gatherings. I believe the lack of brand awareness must impact the sales pipeline and their ability to close newer deals.

Final Thought: AMS is the only company where many former employees come back after short stints at competing System Integrators. I know one AMSer in Fairfax who had left and joined AMS three times, which must be a good news for future employees. Who knows, I may also be going back to AMS in the future!!!