Week That Was 30 September - 6 October | Page 10

Big Data leads to better decision making: EMC survey Ninety one per cent of Indian businesses that responded to a survey conducted by Information management and storage major EMC Corporation feel that Big Data will lead to better decision making. Big Data is giving rise to markedly improved decision making and is having a significant impact on companies' competitive differentiation and ability to avert risk. Cognizant acquires Equinox Consulting in France Cognizant on Wednesday announced acquisition of Equinox Consulting, a financial services consulting firm based in Paris, France. Under the terms of the agreement, about 160 consulting professionals will join Cognizant. The combination of Cognizant's global consulting capabilities and Equinox's consulting expertise will further enhance Cognizant's integrated global platform for financial services clients. Indian outsourcers see business booming as Obamacare kicks in Indian outsourcers handling customer care for insurers in US are expecting a big boost in business as Obamacare takes effect this month. The landmark plan will bring an additional 30 million Americans into the health insurance net and is already being targeted by Indian IT services companies, such as Cognizant, Infosys, HCL Technologies and Wipro, who are vying to build parts of the technology backbone of online health exchanges that link customers to insurance plans. Tech troubles push IT firms to M&A street There is growing interest among leading global outsourcing players to grow by buying or being bought as information technology services providers see profits falling in the near term due to commoditisation of basic services. That, along with reducing technology budgets of large corporations and stiff competition among existing players, could push the industry to consider big-bang acquisitions. 30 Sept 6 Oct