Tata Consultancy Services agreement with Nielsen Company for $1.2billion maintanence

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) has informed that the Nielsen Company, the world's leading provider of consumer and media information services, and TCS on October 18, 2007 announced they are entering into an agreement for outsourcing a portion of Nielsen's Information Technology (IT) and Operations functions worldwide.

Under the ten-year agreement, valued at $US1.2 billion, TCS will assume responsibility for important IT and Operational processes and help Nielsen integrate and centralize multiple systems, technologies and processes on a global scale. TCS also will assume responsibility for certain Finance and Human Resource business processes, which will be executed on new BPO platforms built by TCS.

The Nielsen Company provides a wide range of global services, including television and Internet audience measurement, insight and analysis of consumer behaviour for the packaged goods and retail Industries, services to clients in print, online and mobile media services, entertainment, books, video and the music industries, and is a major provider of business publications and trade shows.

TCS's Full Service Capabilities

TCS said it will provide this service to Nielsen through its full model, leveraging consulting, IT, infrastructure and Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) services delivered through its Network Delivery Model (GNDMTM). The global model will help Nielsen align complex global IT and operational processes, deliver high quality services to its clients and create cost efficiencies.

"The Nielsen engagement showcases our domain knowledge and our ability to manage and execute complex transformation engagements across the globe. It highlights the level of strategic engagement that TCS enjoys with global customers like The Nielson Company," said S Ramadorai, Chief Executive Officer and MD, of the Company.

The implementation of next generation technology platforms and processes will enable faster & enriched information service delivery for Nielsen. TCS will also set up an Innovation Lab with Nielsen to help the customer conceptualize the next generation of business solutions far its end clients globally.

The BPO platforms will help Nielsen consolidate & transform its processes and systems into a single platform, thereby providing real-time access to organization performance and reporting. The BPO services cover end-to-end financial services in such processes as accounts receivable and payable, billing, credit & collections and general accounting, and HR processes, including workforce administration, global reporting and payroll services.

Building KPO capabilities

As part of the agreement, TCS said it will take direct responsibility for a Nielsen team based in Baroda, Gujarat that has developed significant expertise in key information-management processes for Nielsen's Retail Measurement Services, one of Nielsen's core products for packaged goods manufacturers and retailers. The addition of this team will complement TCS's established Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) team and help to accelerate development of TCS's KPO service delivery platform. This development will enhance TCS' domain expertise and make it one of the largest KPO providers in India, working in such areas as analytics & reporting and reference data management.