Mack Gill, previously president of SunGard Technology Services, has been named president of the new unit, which will employ some 4500 staff.

The technology giant says the business will help customers streamline their vendor relationships, as it builds, tests, integrates and hosts SunGard and third party solutions.

SunGard Financial Systems has been working to transform some of the key functionality of its core systems into components to form a new software development and on-demand delivery environment called Infinity. The Global Services business expects to benefit from this effort by offering expertise in SunGard and third party Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), service-oriented architecture and business process management technologies.

The business will have a broad global footprrint, perating out of 25 existing locations worldwide, including Bangalore, Dublin, Houston, London, New York, Paris, Pune, Shanghai, Sydney and Tunis. SunGard is also launching a new consulting practice in Singapore to service its Asian customers.

Vivian Schneck-Last, managing director at Goldman Sachs, welcomed the move: "It is very important for us that a technology partner is able to provide not just the right software, but also the right services and support. SunGard's global services offering will have the ability to provide three key elements: global scope and reach, local knowledge and understanding, and, most importantly, a team that can provide both financial services and technology expertise."