IBM targets Japanese companies' processes

In a statement released this morning, IBM vice-president for customer relationship management delivery, Doug Pileri said the Asia-Pacific Business Transformation Outsourcing (BTO) centre would "play a critical role in IBM's worldwide delivery strategy, particularly for clients in mature markets such as Japan..."

Initially co-located with Big Blue's 270-person technical support centre in the Queensland capital's central business district, the centre is forecast to host up to 1,000 jobs over the next 10 years. About 20 staff are presently undertaking human resources tasks for the new facility, an IBM spokesperson said.

According to IBM, the centre will help clients improve their performance by outsourcing a range of processes, including customer relationship management, human resources, finance and accounting, supply chain management and procurement. The centre -- one of around 24 worldwide -- is expected to offer services in a range of languages.

Big Blue's chief executive officer and managing director, Australia and New Zealand, Phil Bullock, said the centre would "assist in building upon the AU$650 million export business IBM has already established in Australia".

Bullock told ZDNet Australia  this afternoon the company was expecting to employ around 100 staff within the first 12 months.

He said the Queensland government had offered Big Blue a 60 percent rebate on payroll tax tied specifically to the employment of staff at the new centre to encourage the company to boost its presence in the state.