29th June 2006

Tata Interactive Systems features among Top 20 companies in the training outsourcing industry


TrainingOutsourcing.com, the first Internet knowledge community focused specifically on the training outsourcing industry - with the aim of bringing training suppliers and corporate executives together - has included the global e-learning producer, Tata Interactive Systems (TIS), in its list of the Top 20 Companies in the Training Outsourcing Industry. This is the first time that TIS has been named in the annually published list - which was initiated in 2004.


"For the last three years, we have assessed the leading companies in our industry to determine those best suited for world-class outsourcing engagements,"said Doug Harward, CEO of the North Carolina-based TrainingOutsourcing.com.


"This year, we looked at 75 companies to assess their expertise, experience, strengths and capabilities. We evaluated corporate competencies in the 22 processes identified in the Training Process Framework.


"We looked at their strength within 13 business capabilities areas such as financial stability, geographic reach, and talent leadership," Harward continued. "We then assessed the marketing strategy of each company to determine if training outsourcing is a core service in their business model."


The Top 20 list was accessed by more than 700,000 visitors to the TrainingOutsourcing.com Web site during the last 12 months. It has also been viewed by some 2m people, through inclusion in magazines such as the ASTD's T&D Magazine, HR Executive, HR Magazine, HRO Today, and Outsourcing & Offshoring, as well as several industry websites.


According to Harward, the Top 20 List has been a primary resource for US-based corporations and government agencies seeking to identify training companies to receive important RFPs and RFIs.


The current 'Top 20' includes not only TIS but also Accenture Learning, Global Knowledge, IBM Learning Solutions, New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, NIIT, Raytheon Professional Services and SkillSoft. Three of the 20 companies included in this year's list have their worldwide headquarters in India - compared with only one company in 2004 and 2005.

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Notes for editors

About the Top 20 Companies in the Training Outsourcing Industry
Selection to the list is based on several criteria including: experience in managing multi-year engagements, recognition as a leading outsourcing service provider (OSP) in the training industry, diagnostics, strategic integration, content development, portfolio management, sourcing, technology integration, administration, training delivery, strategic reporting, financial stability, geographic reach, leadership talent, breadth of resources, and commitment to the training business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

Because of the diversity of services included in training outsourcing engagements, no attempt is made to rank the Top 20.

Included on the Top 20 listing is Company Logo and Name with a link to additional information about the organisation, headquarters location, and a contact name with email address.

About Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) 
Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) is a global pioneer in e-learning, with more than 15 years of experience in designing and developing innovative and cutting-edge e-learning solutions. TIS is a part of the $18 billion Tata Group - one of the largest and most trusted business conglomerates in India. 

TIS employs a global team of over 900 multi-disciplinary specialists - a unique mix of project managers, software engineers, instructional designers, content developers, visual designers and animators. Its service bouquet includes Simulations, Systems Training, New Hire Training, Business Processes and Skills Training, Regulatory and Compliance Training, Sales and Customer Service Training, Adaptive Assessments, Story-based Learning Objects, M-Learning and EPSS. TIS also has a K12 math practice and a K12 content practice, as well as having substantial experience in developing learning content and tools across keystages and subject areas.

Powered by creative talent, sound processes and technological excellence, TIS has developed e-learning solutions for more than 300 clients - including 50 Fortune 500 companies - across the US, the UK, Australia, Mainland Europe, Japan, UAE and India. Its client roster includes leading corporations, renowned educational institutions and government bodies such as American Airlines, British Airways, Citibank, Colgate-Palmolive, ExxonMobil, GE, GlaxoSmithKline, HP, McGraw-Hill, ntl, Orange, Pearson Education, Qantas, Qwest, Royal Mail, Swiss Re, UNICEF, University of Phoenix, University of Maryland and Vodafone, along with Hodder, Oxford University Press, Granada Learning, Nelson Thornes, Research Machines PLC, Compass Learning, Florida Virtual School, Harcourt, Prentice Hall and, in the government sector, BECTA, UFI and DODEA. 

Apart from holding ISO 9001 certification, TIS is the only e-learning organisation in the world to be assessed at Level 5 in both the SEI-CMM and P-CMM frameworks. TIS’s quest for excellence is reflected in numerous prestigious industry awards, including a Silver - Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Award 2005 and 2004, APEX 2005 Award of Excellence, BETT 2004 Best Product Award, and 2 Business World-NID Design Excellence awards. 

For more information log on to www.tatainteractive.com

About the Tata Group 
The Tata Group, established in 1904 by the great visionary Jamsetji Tata, is one of Indias largest and most trusted business houses. The group pioneered the industrial revolution in India by founding, among other things, the first steel plant, power plant and chain of luxury hotels. 

The Group employs more than 330,000 people in 91 companies across diversified industry sectors including steel, automobiles, cement, telecom and IT. Generating revenues to the tune of £7bn per year  2.6 per cent of Indias total GDP  it is recognised as a leader in several industry segments such as such as steel, power, software exports and chemicals. It is also the parent company to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Asias largest software producer. 

Further information from:
Alan Samuel, Tata Interactive Systems, 020 7905 0156, www.tatainteractive.com