Itc Info, Compaq Link For Mfg Sector Solutions

ITC Infotech Ltd, the UK-based wholly owned software subsidiary of ITC Ltd and Compaq India have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore joint business opportunities for deploying e-enabled solutions in major manufacturing industries, covering the business and manufacturing ends of enterprises.

This strategic alliance will mark a foray into the Asia-Pacific region for ITC Infotech, as the firm does not have a significant presence in the region now.

The alliance will leverage Compaq's strong presence in the region. Speaking at a press conference at Calcutta, the Compaq director, non-stop solutions group Michael J Stephens said that the market potential for products which would be prepared jointly between the two companies was immense.

 

"Every week, we get an average of 1,000 customers wanting to re-engineer their businesses. With a projected 300 million Internet users by 2005 in the region, there is a huge potential to do business in Internet in the region," he said.

ITC Infotech and Compaq will synergise their competencies in marketing, sales and project execution for end-to-end software solutions in industry domains such as fast moving consumer goods. hospitality, paper and packaging, retail and commodity trading.

ITC Infotech has intellectual property rights on solutions for commodity business, distribution systems and sales management programmes.

Both companies will also offer a range of solutions in e-business, including supply chain and logistic management, customer relationship management, enterprise applications, business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumers (B2C) and exchanges.

While ITC Infotech will bring in its unique domain knowledge and technology expertise, Compaq will provide mission critical non-stop Internet-enabling technologies and global reach across diverse industries. The MoU also envisages business cooperation in emerging technologies such as web/e-biz and industry portal initiatives.

ITC is currently in the process of expanding its inhouse Information Services Division (ISD) and add 25 to 30 more skilled personnel. While investment in physical infrastructure will cost Rs 2.5-3 crore, large investments are envisaged in software tools.

Meanwhile, Compaq is poised to set up a competency centre for financial services in Mumbai.

Compaq India director Kapil Jain said that the project was in the preliminary stages and it was not possible to comment on the quantum of investments that would be made. He also commented that the company was also interested in doing business in the fields of manufacturing, telecom and e-governance.