Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM solutions have crossed 2,000 customer milestone in a timeframe of less than five years across various industry sectors in the small and medium businesses (SMB) as well as enterprise segments in India. The company cited easy-to-use interface, along with capabilities such as quick implementation and adaptability to localized requirements as the reason for the achievement.
Subhomoy Sengupta, Group Director – Microsoft Business Solutions said, “This achievement is a result of our ability to offer a line of simple and easy-to-use Microsoft Dynamics range of solutions that shows clear business ROI and integrates easily with existing technologies that customers are familiar with or already have installed. It enables customer to make more informed decisions, adapt to new opportunities and has the ability to scale as their business grows.”
Some of the customers using Microsoft Dynamics solutions include Kamla Dials Limited & Ethos Quantum Solutions, Dhanuka Agritech, Bharat Group, Jaipur Carpets, Wire and Fabric, Dr. Lal PathLabs, Sharda Motor Industries, Jay Chemicals, Rohit Surfactants, Harrison Malayalam, Priyom Condiments, Securipax Packagaing, Perfect Pac Limited, Devyani Groups, Thakar Chemicals, Tyroo Media and Mangalam Electronics, Almondz Securities, Aegon Religare and Reva Proteins.
Success in my Habit
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Indian Minister Wants Web Companies To Self-Censor User Content
Another day, another government trying to figure out how to censor the internet. This time it's India, where acting communications minister Kapil Sibal is meeting with officials from Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and Facebook to pressure them to self-censor user content, the New York Times reports.
The issue is that someone wrote something mean about a politician, Sonia Ghandi, on her Facebook page. That's right. While other countries come up with broader excuses for trying to interfere with what people can post online -- China says it's trying to stop porn, the US says it's trying to protect copyright holders -- Sibal is openly just upset about politicians being criticized. His solution, the report says, is to have web companies use humans to monitor and delete objectionable content before it gets posted.
Since TechCrunch has lots of readers in India, and uses Facebook for comments, I guess this means Facebook would be required to decide what comments people in the country are allowed to post here? Or would TechCrunch get blocked like it is in China if there are any comments by anyone th
The issue is that someone wrote something mean about a politician, Sonia Ghandi, on her Facebook page. That's right. While other countries come up with broader excuses for trying to interfere with what people can post online -- China says it's trying to stop porn, the US says it's trying to protect copyright holders -- Sibal is openly just upset about politicians being criticized. His solution, the report says, is to have web companies use humans to monitor and delete objectionable content before it gets posted.
Since TechCrunch has lots of readers in India, and uses Facebook for comments, I guess this means Facebook would be required to decide what comments people in the country are allowed to post here? Or would TechCrunch get blocked like it is in China if there are any comments by anyone th
Sunday, December 4, 2011
SAIL, Kobe Steel JV in a month: Beni Prasad
State-owned Steel Authority of India (SAIL) is likely to finalise within a month, a joint venture with Japan's Kobe Steel for a 0.5 million tonne (MT) mill in West Bengal to manufacture special grade steel.
"SAIL is finalising a joint venture with Kobe Steel and it is likely to be signed in a month's span. The total investment in the project will be $400 million (about Rs 2,000 crore," Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma told PTI.
The JV will help SAIL acquire the Japanese company's patented technology, used for value added applications. The new unit will put into use Kobe Steel's iron-making technology to make nuggets
Verma said that after the initial 0.5 MT project, to be implemented at Alloy Steels Plant at Durgapur, its capacity will be doubled to one MT by adding another 0.5 MT module.
As far as technology goes, this will be a first-of-its- kind venture for SAIL.
Verma said both the companies are likely to have equal stake in the JV.
Meanwhile, SAIL is also in advance talks to finalise a joint venture with South Korea's POSCO for a 1.5 million tonne steel plant at Bokaro entailing about Rs 16,000 crore investment, Verma said.
Last month, SAIL Chairman C S Verma had said that Korean steel maker Posco will have management control in the JV.
SAIL and Posco have been in discussions to set up a 3 million tonnes a year steel plant at Bokaro in Jharkhand for more than a year.
The proposed plant with the use of Posco's patented Finex technology will produce very specialised steels, mainly for the automobile sector.
Finex is an environment-friendly, iron-making process where iron ore fines are directly used.
"SAIL is finalising a joint venture with Kobe Steel and it is likely to be signed in a month's span. The total investment in the project will be $400 million (about Rs 2,000 crore," Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma told PTI.
The JV will help SAIL acquire the Japanese company's patented technology, used for value added applications. The new unit will put into use Kobe Steel's iron-making technology to make nuggets
Verma said that after the initial 0.5 MT project, to be implemented at Alloy Steels Plant at Durgapur, its capacity will be doubled to one MT by adding another 0.5 MT module.
As far as technology goes, this will be a first-of-its- kind venture for SAIL.
Verma said both the companies are likely to have equal stake in the JV.
Meanwhile, SAIL is also in advance talks to finalise a joint venture with South Korea's POSCO for a 1.5 million tonne steel plant at Bokaro entailing about Rs 16,000 crore investment, Verma said.
Last month, SAIL Chairman C S Verma had said that Korean steel maker Posco will have management control in the JV.
SAIL and Posco have been in discussions to set up a 3 million tonnes a year steel plant at Bokaro in Jharkhand for more than a year.
The proposed plant with the use of Posco's patented Finex technology will produce very specialised steels, mainly for the automobile sector.
Finex is an environment-friendly, iron-making process where iron ore fines are directly used.
Not just for Railways: Now, 24x7 IRCTC kitchen in Noida
NEW DELHI: Railway passengers, executives and managers living in and around Noida can now avail of hygienic Indian and Chinese fare at an affordable rate.
Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has set up a central kitchen in Noida, with a capacity of preparing 25,000 meals every day.
Besides Railways, IRCTC aims to cater to PSUs, MNCs, BPOs and several educational institutions in and around Noida, where there is a huge demand for fresh food at a reasonable price.
The 24x7 kitchen will serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. Initially, the cuisine will be restricted to Indian and Chinese, but the menu will be expanded to Continental dishes in the second phase.
After the catering job in trains was snatched from IRCTC and was given back to railways, the PSU is trying to diversify its business to keep itself afloat. It seeks to capture the fast growing food & beverage market by setting up more such kitchens in other parts of the country.
IRCTC will ensure that all relevant statutory compliances for preparing food will be adhered to in its state-of-the art kitchen. Medical tests for food-handlers, microbiological tests of food samples will be rigorously followed along with use of branded raw materials and ingredients to maintain high quality of the foodstuff. The PSU says the best of industry professionals will man its kitchen. It will adhere to HACCP/ISO 22000 (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) standards, and will also have in-house state-of-the-art lab and R&D facilities.
Buoyed by reasonably priced fare coupled with stringent hygienic standard, IRCTC is hopeful that it will give stiff competition to major airline catering units. "It will be providing a tailored catering service for all corporate occasions with a focus on quality and presentation....Anything from a simple sandwich luncheon to a formal executive boardroom spread," said an official.
According to its preliminary survey, there are around 250 offices and educational institutions located in and around Noida that will be catered by the central kitchen. "There is a great potential for the catering business in the satellite town since a large number of managers, executives and BPO employees are working in the area," said an official.
Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has set up a central kitchen in Noida, with a capacity of preparing 25,000 meals every day.
Besides Railways, IRCTC aims to cater to PSUs, MNCs, BPOs and several educational institutions in and around Noida, where there is a huge demand for fresh food at a reasonable price.
The 24x7 kitchen will serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. Initially, the cuisine will be restricted to Indian and Chinese, but the menu will be expanded to Continental dishes in the second phase.
After the catering job in trains was snatched from IRCTC and was given back to railways, the PSU is trying to diversify its business to keep itself afloat. It seeks to capture the fast growing food & beverage market by setting up more such kitchens in other parts of the country.
IRCTC will ensure that all relevant statutory compliances for preparing food will be adhered to in its state-of-the art kitchen. Medical tests for food-handlers, microbiological tests of food samples will be rigorously followed along with use of branded raw materials and ingredients to maintain high quality of the foodstuff. The PSU says the best of industry professionals will man its kitchen. It will adhere to HACCP/ISO 22000 (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) standards, and will also have in-house state-of-the-art lab and R&D facilities.
Buoyed by reasonably priced fare coupled with stringent hygienic standard, IRCTC is hopeful that it will give stiff competition to major airline catering units. "It will be providing a tailored catering service for all corporate occasions with a focus on quality and presentation....Anything from a simple sandwich luncheon to a formal executive boardroom spread," said an official.
According to its preliminary survey, there are around 250 offices and educational institutions located in and around Noida that will be catered by the central kitchen. "There is a great potential for the catering business in the satellite town since a large number of managers, executives and BPO employees are working in the area," said an official.
Kavveri Telecom completes Rymsa acquisition
BANGALORE: Kavveri Telecom on Saturday said it has completed its acquisitions in Europe with the purchase of Rymsa Telecom Business of Radiacion y Microondas.
It will invest euro 20 million in Rymsa and the acquisition coincides with the launching of 3G in India, Kavveri Telecom MD Shivashankar Reddy told reporters here.
The acquisition significantly enhances Kavveri's antenna product portfolio and expands the existing sales channels for its group of companies in Europe and Latin America, the two key geographical markets, he said.
Adding that Rymsa has technology that would enhance tower handling capacity of operators, which help bringing down cost, Reddy said Kavveri would create separate manufacturing facility for Rymsa requirements at its existing plant in the city.
Kavveri achieved revenue of Rs 315 crore in 2010-11 and profit before tax at Rs 38 crore, he said.
Rymsa Director General Miguel Sanchez Morga said the firm was already supplying 4G equipments in Europe.
It will invest euro 20 million in Rymsa and the acquisition coincides with the launching of 3G in India, Kavveri Telecom MD Shivashankar Reddy told reporters here.
The acquisition significantly enhances Kavveri's antenna product portfolio and expands the existing sales channels for its group of companies in Europe and Latin America, the two key geographical markets, he said.
Adding that Rymsa has technology that would enhance tower handling capacity of operators, which help bringing down cost, Reddy said Kavveri would create separate manufacturing facility for Rymsa requirements at its existing plant in the city.
Kavveri achieved revenue of Rs 315 crore in 2010-11 and profit before tax at Rs 38 crore, he said.
Rymsa Director General Miguel Sanchez Morga said the firm was already supplying 4G equipments in Europe.
Ranbaxy Laboratories falls on payment concerns to Teva Pharmaceuticals, delay in settlment with FDA
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: A day after Ranbaxy Laboratories launched its low-cost version of the world's best selling drug Lipitor in the US, its share price fell 1.66% due to concerns about payment to Teva Pharmaceuticals and delay in settlement with US authorities.
A Teva spokesman on Friday clarified that his company was not supplying ingredients to Ranbaxy for making the Lipitor clone, resulting in some analysts criticising the Indian drug maker for its profit sharing agreement with the Israeli company.
"Teva is getting the money for the security they assured, but without any services,'' said Centrum Broking's Ranjit Kapadia. But a Citigroup report said 'the disquiet over profit sharing to Teva is overdone'. "We believe Ranbaxy's agreement with Teva was an insurance policy to safeguard against the uncertainty surrounding Ranbaxy's generic Lipitor ANDA approval," said the report.
A similar point was made by Kotak Securities who in a note on Thursday said Ranbaxy had allied with Teva as a backup in case it approvals were held back because of its manufacturing issued with the US Food and Drug Administration. Some analysts had reduced their estimates about how much Ranbaxy would make from the drug on assumptions that it may have to pay as much as $130 million to Teva.
" But the amount will be quite small compared to what is being speculated because Ranbaxy is not using Teva's services," an industry analyst said. Analysts are disappointed that a comrehensive settlement on all of Ranbaxy's outstanding issues with the drug regulator had not come through.
"We expected clarity on the settlement along with the generic Lipitor approval. That would have allowed Ranbaxy to resume selling drugs from its two Indian plants," said Kapadia In 2008, the FDA banned 30 drugs and halted approval of new ones from two Indian plants after it found the Daiichi Sankyo-owned firm guilty of violating US drug manufacturing rules.
This had threatened the company's ability to get regulatory approval for manufacturing atorvastatin (chemical name for Lipitor), as the ban included the plant where it had originally planned to manufacture the drug. The Gurgaon-based firm closed at. 436.75 on Friday at the BSE. Meanwhile, the aggressive marketing tactics of Lipitor's original drug maker Pfizer Inc have come under the scanner of some US senators.
Three senate members have sought details of the deal between Pfizer, Pharma Benefit Companies and Insurance Companies, who had asked pharmacies not to sell generic versions. "By working with manufacturers to push brand-name drugs, PBM may be abusing Medicare to boost their profits and denying generic alternatives to patients," said Max Baucus chairman Senate Finance Committee in a press statement.
A Teva spokesman on Friday clarified that his company was not supplying ingredients to Ranbaxy for making the Lipitor clone, resulting in some analysts criticising the Indian drug maker for its profit sharing agreement with the Israeli company.
"Teva is getting the money for the security they assured, but without any services,'' said Centrum Broking's Ranjit Kapadia. But a Citigroup report said 'the disquiet over profit sharing to Teva is overdone'. "We believe Ranbaxy's agreement with Teva was an insurance policy to safeguard against the uncertainty surrounding Ranbaxy's generic Lipitor ANDA approval," said the report.
A similar point was made by Kotak Securities who in a note on Thursday said Ranbaxy had allied with Teva as a backup in case it approvals were held back because of its manufacturing issued with the US Food and Drug Administration. Some analysts had reduced their estimates about how much Ranbaxy would make from the drug on assumptions that it may have to pay as much as $130 million to Teva.
" But the amount will be quite small compared to what is being speculated because Ranbaxy is not using Teva's services," an industry analyst said. Analysts are disappointed that a comrehensive settlement on all of Ranbaxy's outstanding issues with the drug regulator had not come through.
"We expected clarity on the settlement along with the generic Lipitor approval. That would have allowed Ranbaxy to resume selling drugs from its two Indian plants," said Kapadia In 2008, the FDA banned 30 drugs and halted approval of new ones from two Indian plants after it found the Daiichi Sankyo-owned firm guilty of violating US drug manufacturing rules.
This had threatened the company's ability to get regulatory approval for manufacturing atorvastatin (chemical name for Lipitor), as the ban included the plant where it had originally planned to manufacture the drug. The Gurgaon-based firm closed at. 436.75 on Friday at the BSE. Meanwhile, the aggressive marketing tactics of Lipitor's original drug maker Pfizer Inc have come under the scanner of some US senators.
Three senate members have sought details of the deal between Pfizer, Pharma Benefit Companies and Insurance Companies, who had asked pharmacies not to sell generic versions. "By working with manufacturers to push brand-name drugs, PBM may be abusing Medicare to boost their profits and denying generic alternatives to patients," said Max Baucus chairman Senate Finance Committee in a press statement.
Andrew Levermore, the expat CEO of Bharti Retail puts in his papers
He's moved out of Bharti, and Bharat too. In a sudden move, Andrew Levermore, the expat CEO of Bharti Retail, has put in his papers and is headed back to home country, South Africa. Levermore had joined the fully-owned subsidiary of Bharti Enterprises as chief operating officer in July 2010.
Says a Bharti spokesperson: "We can confirm that Andrew Levermore has moved on from Bharti Retail as he wanted to return to South Africa to start his own business venture. The company will appoint an appropriate replacement in due course." This is Levermore's second exit from India. The first was in mid-2008 when he quit K Raheja's HyperCity Retail after a four-year stint. Any bets on whether he will be back a third time?
Says a Bharti spokesperson: "We can confirm that Andrew Levermore has moved on from Bharti Retail as he wanted to return to South Africa to start his own business venture. The company will appoint an appropriate replacement in due course." This is Levermore's second exit from India. The first was in mid-2008 when he quit K Raheja's HyperCity Retail after a four-year stint. Any bets on whether he will be back a third time?
Infra Sector faces huge shortage of engineering and managerial talent
BANGALORE: India's real estate, construction and infrastructure industry, which is set for big investments over the next five years, faces a huge shortage of engineering, architectural and managerial talent.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), a professional body which regulates property professionals and surveyors, in a recent report, spells out a big demand-supply gap for qualified professionals. Nearly 45 million core construction professionals are required to meet the demand between 2010 and 2020, but there is a cumulative demand-supply gap of 44 million core professionals over the decade.
This demand-supply gap could seriously hamper the growth of real estate, construction and infrastructure sectors in India. "By 2020, India will need over 5 million civil engineers, architects and planners, but will be able to produce less than 1 million," the report says.
"The projected shortage of various built-environment professionals becomes cause for concern as it threatens the sustainability of high growth sectors of real estate, construction and infrastructure," said Sachin Sandhir, MD, RICS South Asia.
With India's population estimated to increase to 1.38 billion, with 36% of this comprising the urban population, 95 billion s ft of real estate space across residential, commercial, industrial and civil amenities will be required by 2020. "To deliver potential real estate space and planned infrastructure, India would need nearly 4 millioncivil engineers, 3,96,000 architects and 1,19,000 planners on an average over the next decade. However, the corresponding average supply would only be 6,42,000 civil engineers, 65,000 architects and 18,000 planners," the report said.
While real estate and infrastructure projects have seen a big pump-in, lower salaries compared to other sectors results in a lack of interest among students, thus creatingshortage. Further, fewer colleges and shortage of trained faculty coupled with formalised incentive structures for construction professionals have added to the industry's woes..
Of the nearly 50 million working in the sector now, only 2 million are professionally qualified, with the rest being primarily unskilled workers.
"Over the last 3 years, while working on urban renewal issues, a challenge that has come to light is the lack of capacity at every level," said Isher Judge Ahluwalia, Chairperson, High Powered Committee on Urban Infrastructure, Ministry of Urban Development.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), a professional body which regulates property professionals and surveyors, in a recent report, spells out a big demand-supply gap for qualified professionals. Nearly 45 million core construction professionals are required to meet the demand between 2010 and 2020, but there is a cumulative demand-supply gap of 44 million core professionals over the decade.
This demand-supply gap could seriously hamper the growth of real estate, construction and infrastructure sectors in India. "By 2020, India will need over 5 million civil engineers, architects and planners, but will be able to produce less than 1 million," the report says.
"The projected shortage of various built-environment professionals becomes cause for concern as it threatens the sustainability of high growth sectors of real estate, construction and infrastructure," said Sachin Sandhir, MD, RICS South Asia.
With India's population estimated to increase to 1.38 billion, with 36% of this comprising the urban population, 95 billion s ft of real estate space across residential, commercial, industrial and civil amenities will be required by 2020. "To deliver potential real estate space and planned infrastructure, India would need nearly 4 millioncivil engineers, 3,96,000 architects and 1,19,000 planners on an average over the next decade. However, the corresponding average supply would only be 6,42,000 civil engineers, 65,000 architects and 18,000 planners," the report said.
While real estate and infrastructure projects have seen a big pump-in, lower salaries compared to other sectors results in a lack of interest among students, thus creatingshortage. Further, fewer colleges and shortage of trained faculty coupled with formalised incentive structures for construction professionals have added to the industry's woes..
Of the nearly 50 million working in the sector now, only 2 million are professionally qualified, with the rest being primarily unskilled workers.
"Over the last 3 years, while working on urban renewal issues, a challenge that has come to light is the lack of capacity at every level," said Isher Judge Ahluwalia, Chairperson, High Powered Committee on Urban Infrastructure, Ministry of Urban Development.
Khana Khazana plans to operate 150 restaurants in three years
NEW DELHI: Celebrity chef and entrepreneur Sanjeev Kapoor is expanding operations of restaurant business with plans to operate 150 outlets under different brands in the next three years.
The chef, who is the promoter of Khana Khazana India Pvt Ltd, plans to launch three new bands of restaurants in different formats.
"Going ahead, in the next three years we would want to have 150 restaurants under various brands by way of joint ventures, franchise and company-owned outlets," Kapoor told PTI on the sidelines of Franchise India summit here.
Currently, the company operates 20 restaurants under two brand names -- Khazana and Yellow Chilli, most of which are franchise operated.
Asked about investments for the expansion, he said the total required would be around Rs 100 crore but did not provide the break-up of the portions to be made by the company and its partners.
Commenting on the new brands, he said a Chinese cuisine eating joint under the Pinyin Cafe brand will be first opened in Mumbai.
Another fine dining restaurant branded ' Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor' will be opened at a 5-Star hotel in Dubai in the next one month, he said.
A third one, 'Fure Vie', a lounge is also ready for soft launch in Delhi, Kapoor added.
He also said the firm, which is already running a food channel called 'Food Food', has got license for another channel and is at present working to launch it. He, however, did not share details.
The chef, who is the promoter of Khana Khazana India Pvt Ltd, plans to launch three new bands of restaurants in different formats.
"Going ahead, in the next three years we would want to have 150 restaurants under various brands by way of joint ventures, franchise and company-owned outlets," Kapoor told PTI on the sidelines of Franchise India summit here.
Currently, the company operates 20 restaurants under two brand names -- Khazana and Yellow Chilli, most of which are franchise operated.
Asked about investments for the expansion, he said the total required would be around Rs 100 crore but did not provide the break-up of the portions to be made by the company and its partners.
Commenting on the new brands, he said a Chinese cuisine eating joint under the Pinyin Cafe brand will be first opened in Mumbai.
Another fine dining restaurant branded ' Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor' will be opened at a 5-Star hotel in Dubai in the next one month, he said.
A third one, 'Fure Vie', a lounge is also ready for soft launch in Delhi, Kapoor added.
He also said the firm, which is already running a food channel called 'Food Food', has got license for another channel and is at present working to launch it. He, however, did not share details.
ITC to build $300 million hotel in Lankan capital
COLOMBO: ITC Ltd of India is to invest USD 300 million to set up a luxury hotel in Colombo, the government here today said.
The government has approved a USD 300 million foreign direct investment enabling the hotel to be built on 5 acres of land in close proximity to military headquarters in Colombo's famous Galle Face landmark beachfront on a 99-year lease.
"ITCL is a reputed hotel investment group in India, with investments and hotel in India. The government hopes that its presence in Sri Lanka will be a significant contribution toward promoting FDI and the tourism industry in the country," the government information department said.
The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka is to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with ITCL enabling the firm to execute the project under concessionary tax terms with permitted exemptions on investments.
This block of land was earlier allocated to China Aviation Technology Import Export Corporation (CATIC) for USD 73.5 million for a similar project.
The Chinese firm later withdrew and the Sri Lankan government is in the process of reimbursing USD 54.4 million dollars already paid by CATIC for the lease of land.
The government has approved a USD 300 million foreign direct investment enabling the hotel to be built on 5 acres of land in close proximity to military headquarters in Colombo's famous Galle Face landmark beachfront on a 99-year lease.
"ITCL is a reputed hotel investment group in India, with investments and hotel in India. The government hopes that its presence in Sri Lanka will be a significant contribution toward promoting FDI and the tourism industry in the country," the government information department said.
The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka is to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with ITCL enabling the firm to execute the project under concessionary tax terms with permitted exemptions on investments.
This block of land was earlier allocated to China Aviation Technology Import Export Corporation (CATIC) for USD 73.5 million for a similar project.
The Chinese firm later withdrew and the Sri Lankan government is in the process of reimbursing USD 54.4 million dollars already paid by CATIC for the lease of land.
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