IBM, TCS, Infosys in race for UN ERP project

[AnGrz_Z_K_Jailer]

BANGALORE: India’s top tech firms, along with multinational rivals, are preparing to bid for a key enterprise resource planning (ERP)

United Nations, named ‘Umoja’. Enterprise software maker SAP has already been awarded the contract for the ERP software, and the UN will start inviting bids for system integration and services, estimated to be worth up to $300 million early next year.

This is an important project for the UN, especially since it is aimed at transforming all its processes. While a blueprint for the roll-out is not yet ready, discussions with many consultants and potential vendors have started,” said a senior official at one of the firms involved with the project. He requested anonymity because he is not authorised to discuss Umoja with the media.

For tech vendors such as IBM, TCS, Infosys and Wipro, apart from other European suppliers, this project will bring a lot of visibility, apart from lucrative services business, which can be almost three-eight times of the software licensing fee.
Enterprise software experts such as R Ray Wang, partner-enterprise strategy with California (US)-based Altimeter Group, said the UN goes through a very rigorous procurement process. “Like other public sector procurement processes, the UN may have selected SAP, but they still would have to negotiate terms,” Mr Wang said. “If the terms are unfavourable, their procurement rules would probably require them to seek bids from the runner-up,” he added.

What will make Umoja a unique experience for any vendor is its scope and potential impact on different UN projects across the globe. Officials at Wipro, TCS, Infosys, Mahindra Satyam and HCL declined to comment about any potential customer. UN officials did not respond to an email query sent by ET on Monday.

“Umoja allows the UN to modernise its key financial systems so it is compliant with public sector regulations,” said Mr Wang. “Today, the UN runs a patchwork of custom-built ERP systems. An integrated ERP would reduce the manual-intensive work performed by employees,” he added.

Umoja, which is Swahili for ‘unity’, will help the UN automate and integrate its supply chains, data management, human resources, finance and central support services. Over the past few decades, the UN has been facing inefficiencies because of silos applications and manual systems.

For instance, the total time annually directed to processing travel claims currently is more than the full-time equivalent (FTE) of 60 person-years. Completing the year-end closing of accounts currently involves 40,000 working hours and takes three months.

“Umoja will have the capability to support functions specific to peace-keeping operations in the area of logistics, transportation, fuel and rations systems and other requirements which are not common with other organisations of the United Nations system,” the UN said in a document explaining the benefits of the new ERP system.

Meanwhile, the project is not expected to be a smooth transaction, especially for the vendors more accustomed with private sector projects. “Budget overruns, varying deadlines and overall scrutiny by the world will make it a challenging assignment for any vendor, but because it’s UN, many vendors would be keen to participate,” said another executive at one of the tech firms readying to bid for the project.

Despite enthusiasm of the vendors for this potential contract, more details about the project are still awaited. “The draft UN report on ERP project has not yet been finalised and it could take a few more weeks, months. While it’s clear that the project is on, identifying system integration vendors could happen by the last quarter of this year,” said an official familiar with the UN project.....

 

[AnGrz_Z_K_Jailer]

Link : IBM, TCS, Infosys in race for UN ERP project- ITeS-Infotech-The Economic Times

 

[SinoIndusFriendship]

Link : IBM, TCS, Infosys in race for UN ERP project- ITeS-Infotech-The Economic Times

That is great, I hope TCS-Infosys get the business. Was reading the thread about the success of the Hindi movie "Wanted" in Pakistan. Glad they did well, a commercial success ensures future films can be made. I see a trend that was started by Ghajini for action-packed buff heros. Nothing wrong in some mindless entertainment to ease the stress of daily life. I respect and admire people who forge ahead to take a risk in business/life.

 

[Jako]

Wtf do you mean by hindu movie???....you are too wicked and bent minded!!!

 

[SinoIndusFriendship]

Wtf do you mean by hindu movie???....you are too wicked and bent minded!!!

My apologies, I meant "Hindi movies". Bollywood is Hindi in contrast to Telegu and other regional Indian movies.

I disagree with those who bash Bollywood too much, Bollywood is doing great. Some areas of improvement, such as more coherent storyline, removing fluff dialogue, smoother camera panning will help.

But let us congratulate and acknowledge this fact:

Bollywood is one of the premier movie industries of the world! Even I like it, and I am a movie buff. It's influence extends beyond South Asia into GCC, Iran and UK.

Jako, don't be overly suspicious. I'll say this honestly (and PRC even agrees): Mainland Chinese movies and cartoon are struggling under too much 'Micro-Management'. Most Bollywood movies display a higher level of quality, originality and expertise than Mainland Chinese movies (except a few exceptions). I personally find Bollywood more entertaining and original than Hollywood.

Let's cast aside politics and enjoy a good flick. 'Wanted' is a good way to spend a evening alone, with a date, or with bunch of friends.

 

[Jako]

Ok,sinoindus!.....i got you wrong,apologies from my side too

 

[dileepp89]

The American Bazaar

WASHINGTON, DC: As a result of the US government’s $35 million crackdown on IT company Infosys, the Indian government is planning to re-instigate its complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) that America is unfairly hiking up visas fees for Indian workers.

India originally brought the case up with the WTO in 2011 because of a law the US passed the previous year that raised fees for H-1B and L-1 visas for any company that employs more than 50 people in the US or has at least 50% of its employees coming from foreign countries (the 50/50 rule, as it is known colloquially).