TCS in multi million deal with Ferrari

New Delhi: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest software services company, has entered into a "multi-year, multimillion dollar" deal with the Fiat owned Ferrari to provide information technology and engineering services in the development of the company's Formula 1 car for the next racing season beginning March 2005.
Declining to divulge financial details N. Chandrasekharan, executive vice president of TCS told newspersons, " It is a multi-million, multi year deal and will help us in expanding our market presence in different parts of Europe."
"The factors that worked in favour of TCS were exceptional delivery systems, domain capability in engineering design and ease of doing business," added Chandrashekaran. He said TCS would also be a part of the design team for the racing car's popular cousin, the Ferrari sports car.

S Ramadorai, CEO and managing director, TCS, said, "We are delighted that Ferrari has chosen TCS technology and solutions to help it retain its pole position."

The deal makes TCS the first Indian company to enter the F1 arena, which boasts 19 Grand Prix races in 17 countries across four continents with an average 250 million viewers per race.

TCS officials said, "The F1 cars at present have more in common with jet fighters than with normal cars and require extensive research in areas such as aero dynamics, engine technology, braking and trouble-shooting."

They said TCS will work on a host of areas, including car electronics, safety, aerodynamics, trouble-shooting, during and in between races.

Chandrashekharan said TCS was in the forefront of providing software solutions to European clients for the transition to Euro. It also used offshore development methodology to deliver solutions to companies in Europe.

The IT firm, which has a presence in 32 countries with 10 development centres, services clients from sectors like banking, financial services, retail, manufacturing, telecommunications and transportation.

The Maranello, Italy-based Fiat owned Ferrari, which manufactures sports and racing cars will start the next season with an interim version of their F2004 car, which led the Italian team to its sixth successive constructor's title in 2004.

Chief designer Rory Byrne said that Ferrari could bring the new car out from the first race of 2005. He expected the new car to make its debut between the third and fifth races. 

The F1 Formula racing Championship gets an average 250 million viewers per race for the 19 Grand Prix events in 17 countries in four continents, TCS officials added.