Satyam to implement SAP for Kuwait based First Holding

Satyam Computer Services announced that it has signed a contract to implement SAP for First Holding, a leading business group that handles multiple businesses in Kuwait. The implementation will help First Holding standardize and automate business processes across its companies, which will enable faster decision making, and better products and services for its customers throughout the Middle East. In addition, the implementation of SAP's flagship enterprise resource planning (ERP) application – SAP ERP – will help streamline the group's various business units and prepare the company for future growth.

The one-year contract, which includes SAP’s Global Solution Template, will cover all of First Holding’s companies in Kuwait. Rollout of SAP ECC 6.0, along with the industry solution for engineering, construction and operation management, will take place in phases. The enhanced software will facilitate more efficient business processes across First Holding’s various companies, provide timely and accurate information at different business levels, enable adoption of industry best practices, and optimize use of resources. As one of several First Holding initiatives, the SAP project is designed to improve business performance. Robust IT solutions play a vital role in the program, which was a major reason for awarding the contract to Satyam.

“As a diversified group working in multiple businesses, we needed a solution that can enhance automation of our business processes across our various subsidiaries,” says Nasser Bazzi, Group IT Manager, First Holding. “We selected Satyam as our partner for the SAP implementation project because we recognized its excellence and competence, the results of years of global SAP experience, and especially in the Middle East. Satyam and SAP’s solutions will support our business at all levels and bolster our efforts to sustain our leadership in both Kuwaiti and other regional markets.”

“Our ERP practice has been a primary driver of our growth, and we anticipate a significant rise in orders from Kuwait for FY ’09, which poses outstanding opportunities for us to further expand our operations in Kuwait. This contract with First Holding reiterates not only our capacity to address the specific needs of a large-scale company, but also underlines the upshot of our strategic partnership with SAP and our expertise in implementing industry-leading SAP solutions,” concluded Virender Aggarwal, Director and Senior Vice President, Satyam – Asia Pacific Middle-East, India and Africa Operations.

The announcement follows the recent appointment of Satyam as the first SAP ‘Strategic Services Partner’ in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) – an extension of its alliance with the market and technology leader in business software solutions. The partnership, which was signed in March this year, has prompted Satyam to develop SAP-focused composite solutions for industries such as automotive, retail, engineering and construction, and oil and gas. It has also led to a tripling of SAP orders in the region in the last six months. In addition to its strategic partnership in the Middle East, Satyam is a recognized SAP ‘Global Partner’ and a ‘National’ and ‘Services’ partner in numerous countries. It is also an ‘International Offshore Partner’ and a ‘National Implementation Partner’ for India, the US, Singapore, Japan and Australia-New Zealand.

“This strategic initiative strengthens our position as a leader in the Middle East and North Africa at implementing business-critical solutions for large organizations,” said Sergio Maccotta, Managing Director, SAP MENA. “We look forward to helping First Holding make fast, accurate business decisions and deliver exceptional value to its numerous customers more effectively.”

Kuwait was among the top contributors to the success of Satyam’s Middle East operations amidst its efforts to expand its footprint in the MENA region. Furthermore, Satyam has witnessed an astonishing 86 per cent year-on-year growth rate in Kuwait for the second quarter of FY’09 with its Kuwait operations emerging as the third largest contributor to Middle East revenues. A review of Satyam’s performance in the Middle East & Africa for the first half of FY’09 has shown impressive growth across the region as the second quarter of FY’09 saw an addition of 5 high profile customers and tripled Middle East revenues as compared to second quarter last year.