Tata Steel was declared the Best IT User in the manufacturing process category at the maiden competitions of NASSCOM-Economic Times IT User Awards. The prestigious award was given to Tata Steel for its pioneering role in the use of IT in industry. It has implemented state-of-the-art systems supporting business operations through the use of ERP such as SAP, Baan as well as other custom built applications.

Tata Steel has an IT process which is an ISO-9000 certified. The IT department aims to make Tata Steel an agile, informed, knowledge based and connected company in the forefront of e-transformation. Tata Steel has significantly expanded the reach and range of its communications through the innovative use of communications technology, Intranet and Internet . Recent web-based applications such as e-procurement have further reinforced Tata Steel's commitment to keep abreast of changing global IT environment. Tata Steel has also been given the BS7799 certification for IT security.

The award was received by Mr. Varun Jha, CIO, Tata Steel in a function held at Mumbai on July 29, 2003 where Dr Bimal Jalan, Governor of Reserve Bank of India was the chief guest and Mr. Mukesh Ambani was the guest of honour. Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Mr Som Mittal, Chairman, Nasscom, Mr. Kiran Karnik, President, Nasscom and Mr. Mahendra Swarup of Economic Times. Awards were announced in 10 categories representing different sectors such as banking, retail, telecom, education, government, etc. and more than 100 companies applied for these awards.

The assessment for the awards was done by IMRB and their evaluation was further reviewed by a jury headed by Mr. FC Kohli and consisting of eminent personalities in the field of IT, viz. Mr S Mittal, Chairman of Nasscom, Mr. Rajiv Kaul, MD, Microsoft India, Mr. K Karnik, Mr. Mahendra Swarup of Economic Times and Dr RR Sirohi Director, IIT Delhi. NASSCOM had engaged the services of IMRB - an Independent Research organization to study and collect data on the user industry in India. Post the data collection process, the award is being assessed on the basis of P-cube I-cube model i.e. IT readiness, IT infrastructure, people, Policy, Process & IT competence and benefits.

NASSCOM's key motive behind "India: IT User Awards" is to promote IT usage among organisations in the country and stems from its belief that more efficient usage of information technology would boost the domestic demand for the Indian IT industry in general and software and services in particular. The awards seek to highlight the best practices in the domestic industry and aims to recognise the organisations that are making the most efficient use of Information Technology in India.