The company has been toying with the idea of entering IT-enables services for the last eight months but it was undecided on whether to float a subsidiary for the purpose or include this as a division of the company.

This new division would cater to overseas demand in the transcription segment though it would also meet domestic requirements. Among the areas embarked upon will be digitisation, pre-press and archiving work of written material, officials hinted. The company plans to enter other value-added areas, details of which were not divulged.

Thirumalai Chemicals is a supplier of chemicals - phthalic and maleic anhydride - in the overseas market and plans to tap the established network for IT business.

The company has zeroed in on Chennai and Ranipet as the project centres but the final decision is yet to be taken.

The business potential in IT services is very huge officials said, making it worthwhile for TCL to enter this segment. The rationale for a centre in Ranipet is to generate employment in the district areas of Tamil Nadu as these services did not call for high specialisation. The gateway will be located at Chennai, according to the earlier plans. TCL would not foray into the medical transcription business as this was an overcrowded area, officials said.