M&I Data Services teams with Marquette for int'l technology program

Northwestern Financial Review, Jan 24, 1998

M&I Data Services and Marquette University have created a new MBA program that will train international students for technology management careers overseas for the Milwaukeebased financial services provider. Classes began Jan. 12.

The M&I/Marquette MBA program is the management training ground for the international development initiative of M&I Data Services. This is part of a continuing effort by M&I Data Services to expand and staff its international offices by developing and training quality technology managers in regions of the world using M&I Data Services products and services.

The academic program lasts for two years, followed by a five-month internship at M&I Data Services. All students will receive graduate assistantships from M&I Data Services. At the end of the program, students begin work for the company's international operations.

"M&I Data Services is committed to developing a global talent pool to expand our presence in the international marketplace," said Mike Hayford, executive vice president at M&I Data Services. "We need highly skilled employees in areas of the world where we sell products and provide services."

M&I Data Services began serving the international marketplace in 1989 with its Integrated Banking System software. The company's Custom Statement Formatter product has been distribute internationally since 1993. In 1995, M&I Data Services acquired Software Alliance, which formerly distributed M&I software worldwide, to expand the M&I commitment to global markets.

This year, the company signed an agreement with IBM to market its NI&I EastPoint product, a client server solution which has experienced tremendous growth among financial institutions throughout the global marketplace. Today, in addition to more than 1,000 domestic customers, the company has 92 customers in 19 countries.

"We've always wanted to join forces with a leading company in this industry - and this gives us a great opportunity to work with a premier company like M&I Data Services, which is on the leading edge of financial technology," said Lewis Mandell, dean of the College of Business Administration at Marquette, "Being involved in this program enhances our stature as a major player in international business education."