The European unit of Bridgestone Corp. plans to outsource support and maintenance of its SAP ERP system to an offshore firm in India.
Bridgestone Europe will turn over management of its SAP AG applications to Satyam Computer Services Ltd. in Hyderabad, India.
Joe O'Neill, IT director at the Brussels-based unit said, “The three year agreement will free up resources to focus on new requests and new demands.” On asking him about the Bridgestone Europe business operations, he added, “Whether SAP problems are handled in Brussels or offshore doesn't really matter to the business user, provided he gets a resolution.”
Bridgestone didn't disclose an estimated cost savings from the offshore deal, nor would O'Neill discuss the new projects that internal SAP support staffers will work on. But he said that some of the expected benefits would arise from the company's ability to direct more of its internal resources toward other IT needs.
Bridgestone has six manufacturing plants, a technical center and numerous sales and distribution facilities throughout Europe; its European ERP system supports about 2,000 end users.
Prasad Unawane
