Top Indian software firm sign $144 million deals with Qantas

BANGALORE, India (AFP) - Two of India's top software firms have announced the signing of technology outsourcing deals worth 144.4 million dollars with Australia's Qantas Airways.

India's top software exporter, Tata Consultancy Services, said under its contract with Qantas it would provide software services to upgrade airport operations and commercial systems over the next seven years.

"The value of the deal is about 90 million dollars," the company said in a statement.

"We believe technology has a strong role to play in enabling the travel and hospitality sector companies to retain customers and build new business models," said S. Ramadorai, chief executive officer of Tata Consultancy.

Satyam, India's fourth largest software exporter, also announced a seven-year deal with the airline worth 54.4 million dollars.

Under the agreement, it will maintain information technology services and develop software for more than 150 applications for Qantas.

"This partnership calls for Satyam to further enhance Qantas' operational efficiency," said Virender Aggarwal, senior vice-president of Satyam.

Over 1,000 software professional associates were employed at its unit, Satyam Australia, to supply software development to global companies including nine of the top Fortune 500 firms, he said.

About 100,000 graduates and professionals are employed in the outsourcing and technical support industries in India as global firms take advantage of the country's skilled but relatively cheap English-speaking manpower.

But a shortage of skilled manpower poses an increasing problem and there is concern about mounting wage costs in a fiercely competitive recruiting battle.

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