Satyam Computer Services Ltd will help operate a single, global SAP system to support the global business of the Basel-based Swiss chemicals giant Ciba Specialty Chemicals.

During the five-year engagement, Satyam will help Ciba establish a cost-efficient platform that will service the chemical company''s businesses at defined levels and facilitate future IT and process enhancements. Some specific objectives Satyam will help Ciba achieve include a scalable and flexible allocation of IT resources, access to best practices and new technologies, and fast, low- cost service delivery. Satyam also will streamline SAP integration.

Satyam has delivered more than 640 SAP projects since 1999, and features the largest SAP practice in Asia. On this project, it will provide numerous SAP services from Basel, Singapore, the United States, and India. The integrated support team will feature experts from Satyam working with their Ciba counterparts in Basel.

"We are pleased to work with Ciba, and look forward to applying our SAP capabilities and chemical industry expertise to support a single, integrated, and reliable system for its global business," said Dr. Keshab Panda, SVP, Director and Head of Satyam''s Europe Operations.

"Satyam has a successful track record co-developing SAP solutions with customers-and their entire ecosystems-to optimize business impact. We are committed to helping Ciba leverage its IT platform to enhance a broad range of its business processes and operate its business more effectively. In addition, we will do so rapidly."