EDS case study
For the past 15 years the Brecon Beacons, beaches and bright young graduates of Wales have proved to be a winning combination for global IT services companies such as EDS - a combination which has kept EDS investing in and growing its business in Swansea.
Credited with inventing the concept of IT outsourcing over 45 years ago, the company employs around 120,000 people around the world, with some 16,000 of them in the UK. The company delivers IT-enabled business solutions for many ‘blue chip’ organizations in the UK including the MoD, HM Prison Service, Abbey and Rolls. These solutions are often developed with EDS’ Agility Alliance Partners, some of the best names in the technology industry.
EDS’ Swansea operation focuses on the applications development and maintenance area of the company’s service portfolio. This began with its contract with the then DVLC – now the DVLA –in 1993. Although it no longer holds the DVLA contract, EDS recognised the business sense of maintaining and developing an operation in South Wales, and in 2003 moved into its current prestigious offices at Matrix Park on the Swansea Enterprise Zone.
From here, the company has developed a 250-strong workforce of exceptional capability. It is one of only seven EDS sites in the world to be Microsoft.net certified, is a Microsoft Gold Partner site, and, in addition, is a Six Sigma leadership site with multiple Six Sigma tutors (Six Sigma is a business management strategy, that today enjoys wide-spread application in many sectors of UK industry).
Business development manager David Morgan said that once the company had established itself in Swansea, several key factors came together to confirm it was a good location to invest in. “With Wales having an excellent IT infrastructure,” he said, “plus a potential workforce of high calibre graduates from universities in Swansea and Cardiff, we decided to retain our presence in Wales and to move into a state of the art, highly secure facility to operate and grow.”
“Swansea is a superb location. It’s a great city in its own right, and also has Wales’ capital, the Brecon Beacons and some of Britain’s best beaches on its doorstep. All of this helps to keep employee attrition rates very low..
“We also get support from the Welsh Assembly Government and are looking to work with other public bodies in Wales.” Morgan said.
A key part of EDS being able to maintain its presence in Swansea was it’s commitment to put something back into the community where it’s employees lived and worked. EDS has become an integral part of the local community, with an impressive range of sponsorships to its name, including, Swansea Futures, Technology Grants for local schools, the Dylan Thomas Literary Prize, the Swansea Film Festival and Swansea Rugby Club .
“We have found the business and local communities in Swansea to be a very supportive environment over the years, and we wanted to make sure we put something back. It’s one of the pleasures of operating in this part of the world and as it has a positive impact on our business we’re delighted to do it.”
David Morgan talking about the EDS experience in Wales. (583 Kb)
