SUBANG: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) on Monday, March 15, sealed a five-year contract for end-to-end IT infrastructure services.

In a statement, MAS said TCS would undertake IT infrastructure management of its data centres, IT networks and IT security. TCS will also set up a service management organisation under a unique "build, operate and transfer" methodology for MAS.

The national carrier said the partnership was the part of its strategic IT outsourcing programme to transform the airline's IT operations, as part of the group's business transformation plan (BTP2) to deliver seamless internal customer experience. The contract sum was not revealed.

MAS chief information officer Faridah Abdul Rahman and TCS head of Asia Pacific executive director Vish Iyer signed the contract, witnessed by MAS senior general manager (MD's office) Muzzaffar Othman and TCS regional head of Asean countries/chief financial officer Anil Snehi.

"This is in line with BTP2 to align the role of IT to the airline's P&L. One of the key initiatives include fine-tuning our IT outsourcing strategy to deliver the required business results at lower cost," Faridah said.

"At the same time, we will continue to work with our key vendors to maximise service delivery and to proactively address other business requirements."

Part of the Tata Group, TCS claims to have over 140,000 of the world's best trained IT consultants in 42 countries. Listed on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange, the company generated consolidated revenues of US$6 billion (RM19.86 billion) for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.