TCS bets on embedded systems to spur growth in Japan
The Economic Times — November 25, 2007

Country's largest software company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Sunday announced a series of investments in the field of embedded systems to help Japanese corporations innovate and remain globally competitive.

TCS will invest $10 million over the next 12 months for a dedicated Innovation Lab for embedded systems research in automotive, consumer electronics, telecom, and office automation to fuel innovative solutions for the Japanese market, a company release said here on Sunday.

The new lab will be based in Pune along with a Centre of Excellence in embedded systems in Yokohama, Japan.

With an initial team of 100 engineers and researchers located across India and Japan, the new lab will also leverage the capabilities of 19 other Innovation Labs as well as the TCS Co-Innovation Network.

TCS currently has more than 6,500 embedded systems engineers servicing global customers, including 500 Embedded Engineers servicing Japanese corporations in Pune, Kolkata and Bangalore.

In addition, TCS will set up its second Japan-focused Offshore Delivery Center (J-ODC) at Pune focussed on embedded systems to provide quality, a delivery framework and infrastructure customised for the needs of Japanese customers.

Simultaneously, TCS has identified several engineering colleges and language solutions business partners to enlarge the pool of Japanese-speaking engineers. It has implemented program to teach Japanese language to students selected by TCS during their Engineering course.

"Japan, the second largest market in terms of technology spend globally, is a key strategic market for TCS," said Girija Pande, Executive Vice President and Head TCS-Asia Pacific.

"Being a world-class Manufacturing and Hi-Tech hub, we have identified embedded systems as one of the key focus areas for our growth strategy in Japan," Pande said.

"With a significant talent shortage facing the Japanese market TCS is investing in embedded systems R&D and Japan specific Delivery Center, to help our customers in applied innovation and reducing their go-to-market cycle time," said Masahiko Kaji, President of TCS Japan.

There are more than 1,800 TCS associates servicing Japanese corporations worldwide, including more than 300 associates in Japan.