Tata Consultancy Services,( TCS), the software arm of the Tata group, is setting up a dedicated global delivery centre at Chennai to cater to the software requirements of the Washington-based AT&T Wireless (AWS). The centre, with an initial capacity of 200 consultants, is being set up at its Tidel Park facility in Chennai after almost nine months of due diligence which included proposal evaluation, short listing and pilot project execution. The capacity of could be further scaled up depending upon the requirement, according to a TCS spokesperson.

TCS would work on proprietory as well as third-party systems for AWS which would be used as part of its reusable and globally deployable solutions. S Ramadorai, CEO, TCS in a statement said, "This is a strategic relationship for TCS and we will be working closely with AWS. The development centre will enable AWS to provide high quality reliable and cost effective value-added services to its customers. We are optimistic about the prospects and are confident that the relationship will help AWS achieve its growth plans."

Mohan Gyani, CEO, AWS added , "AT&T Wireless has grown significantly in an increasingly competitive market where time to market is critical to business. We are confident the TCS-AWS relationship will help us deliver value to our customers." According to analysts, setting up of the dedicated development centre by TCS is yet another achievement by the company at a time when several Indian software companies are grappling with the economic slowdown. This is being attributed to its ability to execute projects over large geographical spreads.

TCS has clocked revenues of Rs 4187 crore for the year ended March 31, 2002 and its current financial year consolidated revenues including that of CMC is expected to cross the Rs 5,000 crore mark.