SAS, Wipro Deliver Business Intelligence, Analytics Through Global Partnership

Partnership targets multiple industries; doubles Wipro’s trained SAS® consultants

MUMBAI, India – SAS, the leader in business intelligence (BI) and analytics, and Wipro Technologies, one of the world’s largest IT service providers, have announced a global partnership. Together, the two companies will deliver BI and analytics software solutions to meet increasing global demand across various industries. The initial focus on banking and financial services, telco and retail will expand over time.

Today’s announcement formalizes joint efforts by SAS and Wipro over two years. Under the agreement, SAS and Wipro will strengthen Wipro’s Global Center for Excellence on SAS. This dedicated center, located in Kolkata, India, develops innovative solutions, processes and technology frameworks and builds competencies in BI, data integration and analytics. The center’s more than 300 trained SAS consultants will increase to more than 700 in 2009.

“Information and analysis to drive decisions that achieve organisational objectives are imperative for today’s business,” said Srini Pallia, Global Head and Vice President, Business Technology Services, Wipro Technologies Ltd. “With SAS’ powerful analytics and Wipro’s global services network, we deliver increased value and high ROI to joint customers across EMEA, Asia Pacific and more.”

SAS and Wipro are already developing value-adding BI and analytics solutions for joint customers. One such strategic initiative for banking and finance uses SAS to improve prospect conversion rates, extend customer relationship lifespans and increase customer wallet share.

“BI and analytics solutions for the banking and insurance sectors have increased significantly to meet their fast-changing needs – whether dealing with regulations like Basel II and Solvency II or meeting challenges like managing credit risk exposure or fighting fraud,” said Praveen Sengar, software and services and industry verticals research practice head with IDC India. “BI and analytics solutions can also potentially help organisations in telecommunications, manufacturing, retail, government and other industries understand and meet their business challenges better and enhance operational efficiency, profitability and competitiveness. As opposed to direct engagements, BI and analytics engagements are expected to increasingly move to services-led engagements as the India market matures. Therefore, the new partnership between SAS and Wipro can be expected to deliver service solutions to organisations in a more seamless manner.”

Wipro, with more than 99,000 employees and 50 industry-facing Centers of Excellence worldwide, provides comprehensive IT solutions and services, including systems integration, outsourcing, software application development and maintenance, and research and development services. Wipro’s global high-end consulting services make it a natural partner for SAS. SAS can jointly sell products and services more quickly with Wipro and combine resources for offshore and near-shore projects.

“Partnerships must bring value to customers. Combining SAS’ strength and experience in BI and analytics software with Wipro’s renowned consulting services will help customers thrive,” said Russ Cobb, Vice President of Alliances and Product Marketing at SAS.

Continued Ratish Panicker, SAS Director of Global Outsourcing and Alliances, “SAS is committed to working with global partners such as Wipro to help worldwide organisations benefit from the insights BI can deliver to drive more accurate decision making.”

Today’s announcement came at The Premier Business Leadership Series event in Mumbai, India. Presented by SAS, the Series brings together public and private sector leaders to share innovative ideas on critical management issues. More than 800 attendees from business, government and education in India, across Asia Pacific and elsewhere participated in the Mumbai event.
About Wipro

Wipro Technologies, a division of Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT), is one of the largest product engineering and support service providers worldwide. Wipro provides comprehensive research and development services, IT solutions and services, including systems integration, information systems outsourcing, package implementation, software application development, and maintenance services to corporations globally. http://www.wipro.com
About SAS
SAS is the leader in business analytics software and services, and the largest independent vendor in the business intelligence market. With innovative business applications supported by an enterprise intelligence platform, SAS helps customers at 44,000 sites improve performance and deliver value by making better decisions faster. Since 1976 SAS has been giving customers around the world The Power to Know®