A contact-centre being set up by EDS with financial backing from the government already has international clients lined up says an EDS executive visiting from the US.
Scott Klein who runs EDS’ consumer, retail and energy business globally says there around eight clients lined up to use the centre, all of them overseas. He wouldn’t say who they are but adds they will be announced in the next few months.
In March the government announced that it had granted EDS $1.5 million towards the setting up of the contact centre, to mixed responses from the IT industry.
Investment New Zealand is the government agency which gave the money to the applications support and development facility, which is being set up at the Smales Farm business park in Takapuna, Auckland.
The centre is being set up under EDS’ Best Shore plan, which chooses appropriate countries to provide a worldwide, 24 x 7, support and development network.
Klein wouldn’t put a dollar amount on what EDS is spending on the centre, only saying that it was “significant” and in the millions of dollars. He says the centre is expected to eventually employ 300 to 400 staff and will open before the end of the year.
“We have already been tapping into capability in New Zealand to support clients that are outside of this market,” says Klein.
He says EDS New Zealand, which employs more than 2000 people in Zealand, provides application support for US companies such as Coors Brewing and Chevron Texaco.
There are opportunities across various sectors in New Zealand including fast moving consumer goods, media and entertainment and retail. He says the energy sector also has some real promise.