IBM Signs Remote Managed Services Deal With Sandhar Technologies

IBM has signed a five-year remote managed services outsourcing agreement with Sandhar Technologies, an auto ancillary group based in New Delhi. The deal will enable the company to align its Information Technology (IT) initiatives with business priorities thereby ensuring risk mitigation and substantial cost savings.

As part of the agreement signed in December 2009, IBM will manage the IT infrastructure for Sandhar Technologies, helping the company focus on its core business while reducing capital expenditure. The scope of managed services includes server management and network & security management, which will be remotely carried out from IBM’s Global Management Centre in Bangalore.

“The business landscape is becoming increasingly competitive and volatile, implying the need for us to be nimble. It is therefore necessary for us to blend our high dependency on IT with business goals, which we feel should be entrusted to a partner like IBM, who has demonstrated domain expertise and technology prowess,” said Arvind Joshi, CFO, Sandhar Technologies.

Sandhar Technologies, a diversified auto ancillary group, has 18 manufacturing plants and 3,200 employees. The company’s product line consists of automotive locking systems, plain and prismatic rear view mirror assemblies, sheet metal components, clutch and brake assemblies to name a few. Unlike its peers in the industry, the company has relied on a long-term IT strategy to ensure efficiency.

Ashish Kumar, VP and General Manager, Global Technology Services, IBM India/South Asia, said, “The auto ancillary industry in India has tremendous growth potential. The domestic market players are beginning to play a significant role in the global automotive supply chain and are relying heavily on IT to ensure operational efficiency and increase revenues. IBM will help Sandhar Technologies in its technology adoption roadmap and will bring to them best practices that will enable them to be effective competitors in the global landscape.”