CSC is among the Top 85 strategic IT vendors in Asia - MIS Asia Magazine Nov 06

Computer Sciences Corp
Global headquarters: El Segundo, California, US
Global CEO: Van Honeycutt
Top Asia-Pacific executives: George Bell, president, Asia operations/Mike Shove, managing director, Australia operations
Core activity: Outsourcing, IT services
Revenue: US$14.6 billion (FY 2006)
Profit: US$634 million (FY 2006)
Key clients in Asia-Pacific: Motorola, Maybank, Dupont, Air Products and Chemical Inc, United Technologies Corporation, Allianz Australia, Australian Department of Defence
No. of employees: 79,000

It never hurts to have friends in high places, and Computer Sciences Corp's (CSC) storied history as an IT provider to the US government has served it well, accounting for contracts worth some US$5 billion in fiscal 2006 alone. Still, few could accuse the firm of depending solely on Uncle Sam's patronage. CSC also recently renewed a contract worth US$37 million to provide IT services to Australia's OneSteel and also won deals to support the Asian operations of Air Products and Chemical and United Technologies.

Like many of its competitors, CSC is banking on targeted acquisitions and investments that deepen its expertise in certain areas or geographies. CSC claims particular strength in emerging areas like Web 2.0, software as a service, and service-oriented architecture, which allow complex applications to be constructed by linking individual components. The firm already boasts four "delivery centres" in India and is in the midst of establishing a Global Transformation Services organisation in Asia to provide applications management services to regional customers.

CSC's presence in Asia dates back to 1999, when it took a majority stake in Singapore's CSA Holdings. Last year, the firm decided to bring CSA completely into the CSC fold, and integration of the company's regional operations is ongoing. CSC is expecting a warmer reception for its managed service offerings in Asia as the market matures and is also planning to ratchet up collaboration with partners to find new channels for its offerings in specific sectors such as insurance.