Mahindra Satyam to reposition itself as ICT firm

Moving away from the shadow of Satyam scam, software exporter Mahindra Satyam today said the company would be repositioned as a complete Information and Communications Technology (ICT) firm from just an IT outsourcing player.

Tech Mahindra bought Satyam in April and encouraged by the addition of 35 new clients is focusing on expanding service horizons by investing in building new technologies.

"We plan to position Mahindra Satyam as an ICT firm. The focus is on converting an IT company to ICT company," Mahindra Satyam Chief Executive Officer CP Gurnani told PTI.

The company is focusing on new areas like digital convergence, as it continues to strengthen its five verticals -- manufacturing, financial, health care, retail and consumer product, he said.

"We are looking at overall growth in digital convergence. That is a focus area. We will also be focusing on mobile applications," Gurnani said, adding "I am taking advantage of our presence in connected solutions, in enterprise solution, in mobility and coming up with new paradigm shift."

On new business additions, he said the company is seeing an uptake in demand and has added 35 new clients from May this year.

"The worst is behind us and we are back on the path to recovery... Mahindra satyam is getting traction in the market and getting new clients. We have added 35 new clients since May this year... We are seeing good demand from clients. The overall IT market is also improving."

Gurnani said only a few former Satyam clients, who walked away from the compay after it was hit by the scam early this year have returned, although new clients are coming on board.

He said the company was in talks with one of its old clients, the World Bank, to lift the ban imposed on awarding contracts to Satyam after the scam as the company has now been bought by Tech Mahindra and has a new management.

"We are in active dialogue with the World Bank for revoking the eight-year ban imposed by it," Gurnani said.

Till January Satyam had about 500 clients, but the number dwindled to 380 by the time Tech Mahindra won the bid to take it over.