TCS in tie-up with QAD of US

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered into an alliance with the California-based QAD Inc to deliver enterprise solutions and information technology (IT) infrastructure to manufacturing clients across the world.

Californi-based QAD is a provider of enterprise applications for global manufacturing companies. The company's applications provide critical functionality for managing resources and operations. QAD applications are used by about 5,300 licensed sites in over 90 countries and 27 languages.

Both the firms will offer QAD's flagship software for enterprises "" MFG/PRO ""to manufacturing companies.

Apart from this, QAD consultants will offer their services in six manufacturing sectors the company serves and provide local business and regulatory requirements to the customers of both the companies, QAD said in a statement today.

The companies will also collaborate with the customers on system design and implementation in an attempt to streamline their manufacturing operations from back office to supply chain.

Under the partnership agreement, TCS will build a centre of excellence in Pune for QAD-based solutions to cater to its global clientele. However, the company did not reveal the investment figures. QAD had appointed a senior executive to nurture the relationship between the two companies.

"QAD manufacturing solutions provide flexibility and scalability that manufacturers require to support local plants' operational requirements and for centralisation of functions," said Ravi Gopinath, vice-president manufacturing practice and business unit head, engineering and industrial services of TCS.

"TCS provides system design, implementation and global delivery capabilities. This, coupled with QAD's focus on manufacturing, will enable local and multinational manufacturers to achieve their manufacturing objectives and their IT and business goals," said Pamela Lopker, QAD president and founder.

TCS is a global IT consulting, services, business process outsourcing and engineering services organisation. It has over 43,000 trained IT consultants located in 32 countries.

The company, which is listed both on Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange, had reported consolidated revenues of $2.24 billion in the financial year 2004-2005.