CA plans tie-ups with Indian IT majors

Computer Associates, the US-based $4-billion software solutions firm, is looking at technological collaborations with India's top infotech giants including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, HCL and CMC and generate intellectual properties.

The company, which partners with Wipro, HCL Technologies and CMC for implementation and re-selling of its end-to-end solutions, is now keen on taking their association to the 'next step' by sharing technology and collaborating on the development of new products and services.

"We are talking about a step beyond implementation and distribution. We want to partner with Indian companies to generate original intellectual properties. We want to take our technology and their skills to turn it into new services," said Piti Pramotedham, managing director - Asia South, at Computer Associates.

Computer Associates also wants to form alliances with niche software service companies wherein it will allow the local companies to use their technology to build unique applications or original products.

"We will provide our technology so they can build on it to create completely new value-added services," explained Pramotedham.

The company is considering various options like forming joint ventures or hiving off separate subsidiaries for its technical collaborations.

Computer Associates has identified India as its second research and development (R&D) hub in the Asia-Pacific region, China being the first.

The company has embarked on a recruitment drive at its Hyderbad R&D centre and is planning to ramp up its headcount to several hundred, Pramotedham added.

The company which has already set up operations in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore is now expanding its presence to Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Kolkata.

Computer Associates is targetting a 30-40 per cent growth in its revenues from its Indian operations this year.

The company, which has just started its operations in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, will co-ordinate activities in those countries through its Indian centres.

Sharing IT

• Computer Associates wants to form alliances with niche software service companies.
• The US technology firm is considering various options such as forming joint ventures or spin-offs.
• It has identified India as its second R&D hub in the Asia-Pacific region, China being the first.