Imre Szalay

Between 1979 and 1990, he worked at the Computer Application Research Institute (Számki) and then at the Computer Application Company (Számalk) with software development and software supply for domestically manufactured machines. Thus, he adapted and developed the application software for Videoton machines (R10, R11 bimod, VTnet), micro/minicomputers (Multicenter, IBM PC compatible domestic machines), and TPA - under the conditions of COCOM (Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls) restrictions.

From 1990, as a member of the core team of the Hungarian subsidiary of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC, Digital), he was the manager of the transfer of “Digital compatible” software to the original, and the founder of the service business. From 1995, he was the director of Digital Hungary; he was responsible for consulting, system integration, and the implementation of complex solutions. He continued this role after the merger with Compaq Computer Corporation (Compaq) in 1998. From 2002, after the merger of Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Compaq, he was the deputy CEO of HP Hungary - continuing to focus on these tasks - and was also responsible for service and outsourcing services. Several successful large projects were implemented under his supervision.
Some of these projects include: the introduction of the first complex enterprise management systems (SAP) in Hungary that also implements the renewal of corporate processes (Richter Gedeon Gyár, Budapest Waterworks, FŐGÁZ, EGIS), the Hungarian Telecommunications Company (MATÁV) national network operator and controller system (SNOMS), the Integrated Administration and Control System for Land-Based Subsidies (IIER), the Schengen Information System (SIS), the Artisjus Author Information System (SZIR), and the Public Network.

From 2008, he was the head of the project office of Vodafone Hungary Zrt. and the operations director of the Zrt. His basic task is to develop and operate the best project approval and business continuity processes, and to manage efficiency improvement (Lean Sigma, CRM) projects.

Recognizing the importance of methodology and repeatable management tools in project implementation, he has been organizing project management conferences and other events since 1996, and then in 2003 he was the founder and president of the Hungarian Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI) in Budapest for 15 years. He is the inventor and organizer of the Art of Projects international project management conference. He is also the organizer of the NJSZT-DECUS conferences; and a participant in the organization of the NJSZT Congresses.
He is also actively involved in the development of the Hungarian project management community: he is a board member of the Hungarian Project Management Association (PMSZ) and the Project Management Department of the Hungarian Association of Information and Communication Sciences (HTE). Since 2019, he has been the executive director of the Hungarian Association of Information and Communication Sciences.

Honors: Tivadar Puskás Award (HTE, 2019); Eric Jenett Project Management Excellence Award (PMI, 2021); Neumann Award (NJSZT, 2024).