Even as the Tata group software giant - Tata Consultancy Services - is on its way for an initial public offering, another group company - Tata Steel - has forayed into providing business software solutions.

Tata Steel on Wednesday signed an agreement with SAP India, a leading provider of business software solutions, for marketing and distribution of SAP solutions for the metals and mining industry in the country.

As per the agreement, Tata Steel will offer small and medium sized businesses in the metal industry, a pre-configured industry specific solution built on the mySAP All-in-One platform.

B Muthuraman, managing director, Tata Steel said: "We are looking forward to extending our relationship with SAP and working together with them jointly on developing and implementing proven business solutions."

Tata Steel, which is an early adopter of SAP solutions, will be the sole distribution channel in the country, for SAP solutions for large metal and mining organisations.

Alan Sedghi, president and managing director, SAP India Sub-Continent said, "Given that this partnership combines SAP's proven leadership in the metal industry in India and worldwide with Tata Steel's understanding of the specific IT needs of companies in the metal industry, we will offer the best solutions for Indian metal companies."

This partnership also marks a significant milestone in SAP's growth in India as we further extend our partner eco-system to include leaders from specific industry verticals, Sedghi added.