Axon Launches Offshore Application Management Support                  22/11/2005
Centre in Kuala Lumpur                              
Press Release

KUALA LUMPUR: In a fresh show of confidence in the country’s IT skills and infrastructure, Axon has launched its global offshore SAP application management (AM) support centre in Malaysia, which will provide a 24*7 service desk, SAP support and continuous improvement services to Axon’s customers in the US, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

At an investment of RM15million, the 8,000 square feet AM facility currently employs 90 full-time consultants. In addition, Axon Malaysia comprises over 60 offshore SAP technical consultants and 30 from its SAP implementation team.

The offshore technical consultants work to translate business requirements and processes into fully operational and well-supported IT systems in an onshore or offshore model  while its implementation team gathers client requirements, determines business case for changing work practices and business systems, and defines new sets of working practices and systems matching them to SAP standards.

Leveraging on Malaysia’s favourable outsourcing conditions, the dedicated AM facility will allow Axon room to grow and cement its position as a strong ‘offshore’ service provider, offering 24 hour service, SAP support and continuous improvement services to its global customers such as Transport for London (TfL), Britvic, Textron, Pratt & Whitney and Hitachi.

Based at Technology Park Malaysia, Bala Nair, Managing Director of Axon Solutions for Asia Pacific said, “With some of the best technology infrastructure here, we are confident of providing highly efficient offshore as well as onshore application management services to serve the needs of clients worldwide.”  

Established in 1996 Axon has one of the longest established and largest global SAP applications management (AM) support capabilities in Europe. Axon supports over 35+ SAP customers, representing 85,000 end users across some 35 countries.

Based on Axon’s global strategy using Malaysia as the global shared service centre to grow the business by implementing large SAP transformation programmes, Axon Malaysia is now recruiting quality SAP consultants.

Bala said that the growth of its consultant force is essential for Axon's business expansion, “We expect to recruit another 20 consultants by year end, which will take the total headcount to 200. This will represent approximately 20 per cent of Axon’s global headcount.”

“Our business relies heavily on skilled SAP manpower, so this is now priority number one. We are confident that our recruitment drive in Malaysia will be successful.”

Axon has recently been appointed exclusive partner to produce more skilled technology workers in SAP NetWeaver, a software programme that links business processes and databases that will drive down costs while enhancing risk management.

This initiative will also build up skilled workers to serve its regional hub in Malaysia. At the same time, it falls in line with the government’s vision of creating a knowledge-based economy.

Axon’s recruitment will see local consultants benefit from training, transfer of knowledge and expertise that will benefit the Malaysian economy as well as Axon’s operations in this region.

his strategy is in line with a recent IDC Malaysia projection of IT spending in the country of RM3.42 billion this year, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.59 per cent from 2005 to 2009.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Sook-Peng Wong                                                  T: +60.3.8994.1089
Marketing Communications Manager                             E: sookpeng.wong@axonglobal.com