HCL to implement IT projects for Riyadh co

NEW DELHI: India’s fifth largest software exporter HCL Technologies and Riyadh-based Advanced Electronics Company (AEC) have signed an agreement to implement IT projects in Saudi Arabia.

Under the agreement, AEC and HCL Technologies would work to implement and execute integrated IT solutions and services for business transformation including systems integration, package implementation, application development and maintenance, IT infrastructure management and BPO.
“In the applications space, the alliance will focus on areas such as e-governance, financial services, real estate and construction and education,” said HCL Technologies country manager, India and Middle East, Kiran Bhagwanani.

While HCL so far offered remote services management to four customers in the Kingdom, the alliance would enable it to focus on Saudi Arabian IT market, which is currently pegged at between $6-7 billion and growing at about 20%. “HCL has also opened an IT Management Centre (IMC) in Riyadh, aimed at bringing the company’s remote IT management delivery model to the Middle East.

The IMC will enable delivery of process-based IT service management with predictable and consistent end-user performance, covering the technology domains of data centre, systems, storage, networks, security & end-user support,” said Mr Bhagwanani.

While HCL would bring IT services portfolio to the alliance, AEC would offer the benefits of local market access. “The alliance has already been shortlisted in at least three multi-million deals in Saudi Arabia.

We expect the business to grow by over 100% over the next three years,” he said. “By working with HCL, AEC can expand its services to address the needs of the customers in the Kingdom and provide more development and job opportunities to qualified Saudis in the IT field,” said AEC president & CEO, Ghassan AlShibl.