Nissan Diesel South Africa was created in 2002 as the result of a global decision by Nissan that its truck business should be a separate entity. This created a number of challenges for the new company and its partners, including how to separate the new institution’s IT systems from those of its parent in order to support its own set of business processes.

“Separating our business processes from those of Nissan South Africa has been a challenge for us,” says Jacques Carelse, vice president at Nissan Diesel South Africa. “Obviously, as you would expect in a leading global company like Nissan, our business processes are heavily digitized and it was vital that the IT infrastructure and applications that enable them were able to support the transition. The relationship with EDS is a longstanding one, so they don’t just know our IT systems -- they have a good understanding of our business itself. These factors helped the various teams get the systems work done according to a tight schedule.”

With the separation completed, EDS now is providing Nissan Diesel South Africa with network, server and desktop services. In line with current international trends, EDS also is responsible for managing appropriate third-party suppliers on behalf of Nissan Diesel South Africa.

Another spin-off from the longstanding EDS/Nissan relationship is evident in the leveraging of resources shared between Nissan South Africa and the new entity. Some services, such as database support, are leveraged from EDS’ data centre, providing Nissan Diesel South Africa with continuing cost savings through the effective use of resources.

“It’s very satisfying for us to be able to build on a solid relationship with clients in this way,” observes Alex Stamp, client executive for the manufacturing sector at EDS South Africa. “This deal allows Nissan and Nissan Diesel South Africa to capitalize fully on its relationship with EDS for maximum value.”

EDS In the Automotive Industry
EDS combines its comprehensive understanding of the automotive industry with its ability to leverage its global technology and service resources to help its clients shorten concept-to-delivery time, improve quality, reduce costs and improve revenue. It offers seamless integration of design, engineering, manufacturing, and distribution systems and processes and delivers solutions ranging from high-end consulting, IT and e-commerce strategies, to the most comprehensive Product Lifecycle Management software and services, and the management of business processes. EDS serves 21 of the top 25 Global 1000 Automotive Companies and received 14% of its 2002 revenue from the automotive industry.

About EDS
EDS, the premier global outsourcing services company, delivers superior returns to clients through its cost-effective, high-value services model. EDS’ core portfolio comprises information-technology and business process outsourcing services, as well as information-technology transformation services. EDS’ two complementary, subsidiary businesses are A.T. Kearney, one of the world's leading high-value management consultancies, and UGS PLM Solutions, a leader in product data management, collaboration and product design software. With 2002 revenue of $21.5 billion, EDS is ranked 80th on the Fortune 500. The company’s stock is traded on the New York (NYSE: EDS) and London stock exchanges.