Tisl Rechristened Tata Ibm Ltd
Tata Information Systems Ltd (TISL) has been renamed Tata IBM Ltd.
A new corporate logo of the company was formally unveiled with immediate effect here yesterday. The company, whose turnover rose 63 per cent to Rs 550 crore for the year ended 31st March, 1997, is in its fifth year of operation. Tata IBM will continue to be a 50:50 joint venture. But, the objective is to synergise the two big names and effectively communicate it through the new logo, said Mukesh Aghi, president, marketing & sales, Tata IBM. The move focuses on brand recognition and awareness and aims at leveraging the Tata-IBM relationship in the local environment, he said.
Talks are on with Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) for launching IBM Global Network by the end of the year. IBM Global Network is the worlds largest data network and provider of Internet services serving 30,000 plus customer enterprises in over 850 cities in more than 100 countries.
IBM is also awaiting clearance from the wireless planning commission to introduce a new range of wireless local area network (LAN) products in the country by year end. This will enable computers to be interlinked using infrared or radio frequencies instead of wires.
The product is based on a special type of hardware and software which can be installed in a server or a mobile personal computer. IBM has kept its options open on setting up an assembly unit for personal computers, provided demand picks up.
Earlier this month, an IBM official told Business Standard the company was also thinking of establishing a third party manufacturing unit, for which it will supply essential components. But, the final product will be assembled by a third party in the country.
IBM World Trade Corpor-ation, the overseas investment arm of IBM Corp, has already received FIPB nod to set up a software development unit in Bangalore.
For this, IBM World Trade will pick up 80 per cent equity with an initial investment of Rs 72 crore.