IBM will provide information technology services to Amul, the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), and its milk unions to support their growth plans. The 10-year outsourcing deal is worth over Rs 80 crore and was signed last week, IBM said on Sunday.
Under the terms, IBM will manage and operate the IT environment of GCMMF for the next 10 years, primarily by setting up a technology platform based on ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems and a datacentre backed by a Disaster Recovery Centre. The project will begin with implementation of the ERP application and the necessary systems to enable Amul to increase operational efficiency. As a result, the cooperative will be able to improve its supply chain, strengthen customer focus and achieve stronger growth, said Sandip Patel, managing partner – Global Business Services, IBM India and South Asia.
B M Vyas, managing director, GCMMF, said in a statement that Amul has deployed information technology from the grassroot level of Village Dairy Cooperative Societies. “Amul has developed several innovative business processes unique to the country, and known globally. The new deal will affect the lives of millions of farmers,” he said.
Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) is a state-level apex body of 2.8 million dairy farmers spread over 13,000 villages of Gujarat affiliated through 13 district milk unions.