The much-awaited $1.8 billion outsourcing deal from ABN Amro deal has brought the largest-ever contracts for two Indian IT majors - Infosys and TCS. While TCS order is worth $250 million, Infosys also expects to get up to $250 million and has won a minimum commitment of $140 million. Patni also shares the deal along with Accenture. IBM will get the largest chunk of the five-year deal involving management of the bank's global computer network, software development and maintenance.

The Amsterdam-based bank plans to fire 1,500 people out of more than 5,000 people it employs worldwide. Besides the bounty for Infosys and TCS, contract is also learnt to the highest sum committed by a Western firm to offshore service providers under a single initiative. Both Infosys and TCS confirm that this is the single largest order won by them. "This is a landmark deal for Infosys. This deal clearly indicates that large offshore players like Infosys have a competitive business model to deliver large, global, multi-year contract,'' says Infosys CEO and managing director Nandan Nilekani. The order is expected to help Tata Consultancy, Infosys and Patni gain a foothold in large customer tech infrastructure management and software development contracts that's dominated by US rivals such as IBM and Accenture.

"We have a commitment for $140 million, but it has the potential to go up to $250 million in the next five years," V Balakrishnan, senior vice-president of finance at Infosys. TCS sees revenue of 200 million from this deal. ABN Amro has tapped five vendors to handle its tech operations. IBM will provide infrastructure support services and some application development under a fiveyear deal. Accenture, TCS, Patni and Infosys will also provide application development services. Infosys and TCS will handle application support.