Business applications software developer, Siebel Systems, has announced contact centre specialist, EDS, as a charter partner in its new Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) global strategic alliance program. The companies will jointly sell to clients looking for business process strategy and solutions.

The two companies say that the agreement expands the long-term relationship between them for providing high-value managed products and service solutions targeted at the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and customer relationship management (CRM) marketplace.

According to a press announcement by Siebel, the collaborative relationship between the two companies will focus on building industry-oriented solutions, which will become standardised service offerings that EDS will then take to market. These solutions will initially target clients in key industry segments including financial services, government, transportation and manufacturing.

This alliance capitalises on years of experience from two technology leaders that are focused on the business process outsourcing marketplace, says Marty Sunde, a vice president at Siebel. ‘Combining EDS' process expertise with Siebel Systems' industry knowledge provides customers with BPO solutions across the globe in every industry,’ he added.

News of the deal comes at a good moment for EDS, providing a positive news story to counter-act the negative coverage that is resulting from a lawsuit that is being brought against it by satellite and cable television broadcaster, BSkyB.