Cognizant opens development centre

Kochi, July 11: The US-based Cognizant Technology SolutionsCorporation, a leading provider of global IT and business processoutsourcing services, opened a new development centre here today.

Addressing mediapersons, Cognizant Vice-Chairman Lakshmi Narayanansaid, '' the Centre will focus on information, media and entertainmentindustry and build focussed competencies on the convergence in thoseindustries.'' The Centre would recruit 800 professionals in two phasesand have a space of 74,000 sq. ft at the SEZ notified Muthoot IT Park,he said.

He said his company had US-based Arbitron Inc. as the anchorcustomer, which would leverage Cognizant's development centres both inIndia Chennai and Kochi and Shanghai in China for cost advantage,superior quality experience and time-to-market.

''Kochi is a strategic development centre for Cognizant, similar tothe ones we have in Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mubaiand Coimbatore,'' Mr Narayanan said. Based on the published reports andown research, the State was estimated to produce 25,000 engineeringgraduates each year from 85 engineering colleges and eightuniversities, he said.

He said his company had recruited around 1,000 professionals from the State last year.

Praising the efforts of Cognizant, Chief Information Officer ofArbitron Inc. Scott Henry said,'' Cognizant has been our partner ofchoice for applications outsourcing due to its deep domain expertise inthe media industry, track record of global delivery, high standards ofcustomer satisfaction, flexibility and responsiveness.'' He saidconsidering the growth rate of the Indian economy, his company wasplanning to form its subsidiary to tap the huge potential of thecountry.

Kochi Centre Director T P Vincent and Director of Global IT Services, Arbitron Inc. Shilen Sagunan were also present.

UNI