Cognizant buys Paris-based Galileo Performance

Cognizant, a Nasdaq-listed information technology (IT), consulting, and business process outsourcing services company, today announced the acquisition of Galileo Performance, a Paris-based provider of IT-testing consulting services. The terms were not disclosed.

Galileo helps leading companies in France optimise and extend business performance through IT system measurement, management and testing. It will complement Cognizant’s fast-growing global testing practice, with its 10,000 testing professionals, while strengthening Cognizant’s existing business presence in France, according to Cognizant’s statement.

Outsourced testing services have been growing significantly, not only for their value in lowering the cost of quality assurance and software maintenance, but also for ensuring tighter alignment of IT with business objectives, greater operational effectiveness, and improved governance and risk mitigation. Industry research firm IDC forecasts a five-year compounded annual growth of 19 per cent for discrete global testing services, reaching an estimated $17.7 billion by 2013, added the statement.

“This acquisition will enable Cognizant to bring testing services to the French market, and the addition of French-speaking consultants will help us better serve our customers in the region,” said Francisco D’Souza, president and chief executive officer, Cognizant.