Acquisitions and Expansions

Quest Software announces acquisition of NetPro Computing

Quest Software has acquired NetPro Computing, in a cash transaction valued at approximately USD 78.7 million. The acquisition of NetPro, a leading provider of Microsoft infrastructure optimisation solutions, allows Quest to further extend its product portfolio to deliver a comprehensive set of products to manage complex Microsoft infrastructures.

Red Hat acquires Israel-based Qumranet

Open source software company Red Hat has acquired Israel-based server and desktop virtualisation software developer Qumranet for USD 107 million. Qumranet’s Kernel Virtual Machine platform and SolidICE virtual desktop infrastructure will enable it to provide a comprehensive offering that will add applications for managing Windows desktops to its virtualisation portfolio.

ITC Infotech acquires US firm Pyxis Solutions

IT services provider ITC Infotech India Ltd, a fully-owned subsidiary of ITC Ltd, has acquired Pyxis Solutions, a US-based company, offering quality assurance solutions and testing services. The enterprise value of Pyxis Solutions is USD 25 million, which has been funded internally in an all cash deal.

MphasiS expands its Indian operations

MphasiS, an Indian IT outsourcing services provider, has expanded its Indian operations by establishing its first software services and development facility in Hyderabad. The facility will initially employ 100 professionals and will increase its headcount to 1,000 within 12 months

Contracts and Deals

ACS wins USD 551 million Ingersoll Rand contract extension

Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), an IT services provider has won a 10-year USD 551 million IT outsourcing contract extension from industrial firm Ingersoll Rand. The companies have been working together since 2002. ACS will provide services for Ingersoll Rand’s data centre and network and will also integrate its recently acquired Trane business. The work will be performed across Ingersoll Rand’s locations in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Kenya Airways Selects Satyam to Implement Oracle E-Business Suite

Kenya Airways has selected Satyam Computer Services, an Indian IT solutions and services provider, for implementing Oracle E-Business Suite. The platform will assist the airline to simplify its financial, HR and procurement processes along with improving the ability to manage people, processes and resources. The deployment will also assist Satyam in expanding its geographic foothold in East Africa.

IBM India enters into USD 450 million contract with Max New York Life

IBM India has entered into USD 450 million IT outsourcing contract with private insurance player Max New York Life (MNYL). The deal, spread over 10 years, will provide complete end-to-end backend IT infrastructure to MNYL. The key aspect of the deal will be to extend the reach of the insurance player and focus on the semi-urban and rural areas.

E-Governance and CSR

BSI has implemented E-Governance system for Government of Maharashtra within contracted time frame

Blue Star Infotech (BSI), a provider of IT solutions and services, has successfully implemented a Decision Support System for Government of Maharashtra’s Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES). The company was appointed as a turnkey solution provider for a contract period of five years with responsibilities for supply, installation and commissioning of all tendered.

Maharashtra state to set up 11,000 ‘e-Seva’ kiosks

The Maharashtra state government will sign Master Service Agreements with private firms for a new IT-enabled public service christened as ‘Maha e-Seva’. The agreements envisage setting up of 11,000 IT kiosks across the state, that will offer a slew of services to citizens, such as filing of income tax returns, payment of motor vehicle taxes, procurement of various licenses, availing caste or domicile certificates and checking land records. At least four companies – Spanco, Infotech, CMS and Reliance Communications have been selected by the state government through a bidding process. The government intends to setup 1,336 urban ‘Maha e-Seva Kendras’ and 10,483 rural ones by August 2009.

Huawei Technologies and Deepalaya open a centre for the differently-abled

Deepalaya, an NGO working for the underprivileged children and Huawei Technologies from China joined hands together to support the cause of livelihood generation for the differently-abled, by setting up a vocational training centre. Deepalaya will set up and run the centre, which will train 50 children from slums in its first year of operations. Huawei India presented a cheque for Rs 10 lakh to Deepalaya for this project. The vocational training centre would impart functional education and skills to the differently-abled children from Deepalaya’s functional areas in South Delhi. Depending upon their performances, they will be equipped for the mainstream through job placements, self-entrepreneurship programmes and other efforts that can make them self-reliant.

Education and Skills Development

Infosys BPO Establishes BPO Campus in Rajasthan

Infosys BPO, the BPO services division of Indian IT services provider Infosys, announced the opening of its second BPO campus at Mahindra World City in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The construction for the first phase, with a seating capacity for 3,200 professionals, has been completed. The company launched various industry-specific programmes in Rajasthan where it collaborates with universities in Rajasthan to improve the BPO-specific skill sets of students. The company has entered into an agreement with 32 engineering colleges in Rajasthan to improve the employment options of the talent pool.

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