EDS eyes Indian acquisition

EDS is looking to boost its offshore outsourcing capability by buying assets in a medium-sized IT or business process outsourcing company in India.

EDS' co-COO Steve Schuckenbrock told the Reuters Global Technology Summit in New York that offshoring is a "major offensive weapon" and the company is looking at possible acquisitions mainly in India but also in China, Korea and central Europe.

But, according to Reuters, he ruled EDS out of buying any of the tier one Indian IT suppliers - companies such as Infosys, TCS and Wipro.

He said: "We are in a financial position to be able to look at the right kind of acquisitions."

EDS also said it plans to invest US$35 milion in India over the next two years and double its headcount there from 3,000 to 6,000 by the end of this year.

Stephen Heidt, VP of business workforce and capacity management at EDS told Indian newspapers this week that the company is also looking to consolidate its global specialised offshore locations into fewer multi-skilled delivery centres.

Andy McCue of Silicon.com reported from London.