A new information technology service centre has opened in Basel to provide support for the city's chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

A new "power house" information technology service centre has opened in Basel to provide support for the city's chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Hailed as the first of its kind in the world, the cyber centre is a joint venture between United States computer company Hewlett Packard and the IMG consulting firm in St Gallen.

HP and IMG have invested SFr4.5 million in the centre and a further SFr4 million is planned to be injected over the next two years. Eighty jobs will be created.

"The aim is to become the service and delivery hub for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries by providing business solutions on the strategy, process and systems level in order to help organisations manage their transformation to world class," said IMG executive vice president, Walter Baeckert.

HP and IMG says there is a large integration and optimisation potential for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries in the E-Business sector.

"The industries are going through a consolidation process which is marked by mergers and acquisitions. They are facing increased competition, as well as stricter regulations and pressure to reduce costs," Baeckert added

These developments, say the two companies, call for information technology which will help them increase shareholder value, focus on their core competencies and provide a clear link to suppliers and customers.

In a second phase, HP and IMG plan to expand to other cities and offer their IT services to other industries.

by Rob Brookes

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