Satyam Uncertainty: Phase 2

While Satyam's new management has achieved some respite by arranging a small kitty of funds to solve the firm's day-to-day problems and bring some stability, it's now clear that the firm will likely be sold in the coming weeks or months. However, this possibility brings a fresh phase of uncertainty for Satyam clients, who have been experiencing turmoil and ambiguity about their projects since the fraud was discovered in January 2009. At least eight potential bidders have emerged that have formally submitted a written bid or expression of interest. Each of the diverse bidders — including a tier-two IT services company, a private equity firm, and a telecom company — offers its own set of pluses and minuses that clients must consider. To protect their own interests and ensure continuity of service, clients need to accelerate finalization of their "plan B" and keep a close watch on which firm buys Satyam to decide if and when to pull the trigger to shift to that "plan B."