IBM bags $600-800 mn deal from Idea

US technology major IBM has bagged a 10-year contract worth $600-800 mn from Idea Cellular to integrate and transform its business processes and IT infrastructure.
The deal would help Idea meet the needs of its 14 mn customers and future growth by supporting transformation of business critical processes including billing, fraud management, e-billing and payment and customer care among others, Idea said in a statement to Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

It covers Idea's existing operations and potential new additions, the company said, adding the agreement would help shore up its revenues and profits.

The partnership will also allow Idea to leverage opportunities from the convergence of voice, data, video and wireless technologies and add new revenue streams to provide a competitive edge, it said.

Besides, it would help Idea to empower its business with analytic tools for focused market segmentation and improve customer management to drive efficiency.

"We will harness IBM's power to support Idea's explosive growth with robust and best-in-class solutions," Idea Managing Director Sanjeev Aga said.

All IT department employees of Idea would play a key role in the transformation, either as Idea employees or as IBM employees, the statement said.