Bangalore: Microsoft is keen on investing in India to provide cloud-based solutions to Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs). The company sees an addressable market of over 45 million SMBs in India today, majority of them being micro businesses with less than five PCs and employees.
The company is planning to increase the number of its business partners here, expand its geographical presence in Tier2/Tier 3 cities, and also host a range of seminars and road shows to showcase its products to prospective customers.
“There is a different kind of approach that is needed in India,” Mr Vahé Torossian, corporate vice-president, Worldwide Small and Midmarket Solutions & Partners Group, Microsoft told Business Line. Considering that SMBs typically don't have expertise in IT, Mr Torossian said that they ask for products that are easy to use. “There is also a need to have proximity and it is a key investment we are doing,” he said.
For about a year now, Microsoft has been providing solutions like the Office 365 which helps SMBs integrate work done by different employees or from different locations, thus reducing cost.
Product Localisation
All the solutions are global products that are being localised by the company's partners in India.
Microsoft has 18,000 partners in India today which includes companies like Microland and Futuresoft, of which about 20 per cent are into redesigning the solutions for the local market. Microsoft plans to add another 5,000 partners and take the chunk of solution partners to about 40 per cent. Mr Torossian also said that the company will be fast-tracking the localisation of their products.
To suit Indian customers, the company has changed the method of certification of partners and are moving from US dollar billing to India rupee, Mr Torossian said. “We also now help customers see if they are using the right software for their kind of business,” he added.
According to him, the SMB market is amongst the biggest contributors to the Indian economy, contributing about 60 per cent of the GDP and creating a million jobs a year.
Success in my Habit
Monday, March 5, 2012
Infosys signs pact with Maharashtra to develop Nagpur facility
Nagpur: IT major Infosys has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Maharashtra Government for developing a 142-acre facility at Nagpur with a total investment of about Rs 450 crore. The facility will be located in a Special Economic Zone, which is a part of the mammoth 4,354 hectare Multimodal International Hub Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) project.
The Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) a subsidiary of the State Government is developing the project. The facility will be developed in three phases and provide employment to 14,000 people on completion. In the first phase, Rs 100 crore will be invested. Big IT companies like TCS and Mahindra Satyam already have their campuses at MIHAN.
A senior official in MADC told Business Line that the Pune facility of Infosys has been almost been saturated and there is no further scope for expansion, therefore they have chosen MIHAN site. Nagpur will also provide trained manpower to the company as the city has many colleges of higher learning.
The Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) a subsidiary of the State Government is developing the project. The facility will be developed in three phases and provide employment to 14,000 people on completion. In the first phase, Rs 100 crore will be invested. Big IT companies like TCS and Mahindra Satyam already have their campuses at MIHAN.
A senior official in MADC told Business Line that the Pune facility of Infosys has been almost been saturated and there is no further scope for expansion, therefore they have chosen MIHAN site. Nagpur will also provide trained manpower to the company as the city has many colleges of higher learning.
Inkel to invest Rs 5,000 cr in 11 projects
Kochi: Infrastructures Kerala Ltd (Inkel), a Kerala Government initiative, has lined up various infrastructure projects in the State at an investment of Rs 5,000 crore in the next four years.
These include 11 projects comprising a tourism complex at Veli in Thiruvananthapuram and an Ayurveda manufacturing unit at Punalur for which the Government has the given in-principle approval, Mr T. Balakrishnan, Managing Director, Inkel, said here.
Inkel is developing a logistics park and commercial space at Angamally in 25 acres, where a 2.2 lakh sq ft commercial space will be ready for occupation by June, he said. A well-known FMCG company would set up 2.4 lakh sq ft of warehousing space. An agreement for this is now under finalisation, he added .
The company has also achieved the distinction of being the first to be awarded the PURA projects at Thalikulam and Tirurangadi, ahead of several other infrastructure companies. These projects involve an investment of Rs 235 crore over three years. He pointed out that 56 per cent of the total funds would be from the Centre; 14 per cent from the State and 30 per cent from Inkel/partners, he said.
The project was launched by the Union Minister for Rural Development, Mr Jairam Ramesh, recently.
At Thalikulam, the SPV is a joint venture of Inkel, Galfar and Kinfra, while at Thirurangadi, Kinfra is the partner. The SPVs will maintain the facility for 10 years and then hand it over to the panchayats, he said.
As mandated by the State Government, Mr Balakrishnan said Inkel has taken the lead to set up an institute to impart training in retail management by setting up the Kerala Institute of Retail Management. Inkel is also taking the initiative to set up a modern 300-bed Cancer Institute at Malappuram.
The company's mega project Edu Health city at Malappuram is in the final stages of master planning. The city, to be developed in 250 acres, will have all clusters of educational technical, general, legal and medical institutions, healthcare and commercial activities, he added.
These include 11 projects comprising a tourism complex at Veli in Thiruvananthapuram and an Ayurveda manufacturing unit at Punalur for which the Government has the given in-principle approval, Mr T. Balakrishnan, Managing Director, Inkel, said here.
Inkel is developing a logistics park and commercial space at Angamally in 25 acres, where a 2.2 lakh sq ft commercial space will be ready for occupation by June, he said. A well-known FMCG company would set up 2.4 lakh sq ft of warehousing space. An agreement for this is now under finalisation, he added .
The company has also achieved the distinction of being the first to be awarded the PURA projects at Thalikulam and Tirurangadi, ahead of several other infrastructure companies. These projects involve an investment of Rs 235 crore over three years. He pointed out that 56 per cent of the total funds would be from the Centre; 14 per cent from the State and 30 per cent from Inkel/partners, he said.
The project was launched by the Union Minister for Rural Development, Mr Jairam Ramesh, recently.
At Thalikulam, the SPV is a joint venture of Inkel, Galfar and Kinfra, while at Thirurangadi, Kinfra is the partner. The SPVs will maintain the facility for 10 years and then hand it over to the panchayats, he said.
As mandated by the State Government, Mr Balakrishnan said Inkel has taken the lead to set up an institute to impart training in retail management by setting up the Kerala Institute of Retail Management. Inkel is also taking the initiative to set up a modern 300-bed Cancer Institute at Malappuram.
The company's mega project Edu Health city at Malappuram is in the final stages of master planning. The city, to be developed in 250 acres, will have all clusters of educational technical, general, legal and medical institutions, healthcare and commercial activities, he added.
Germany's Hummel to expand India operations
Coimbatore: Hummel Connector Systems, a subsidiary of the Germany-based Hummel AG Group, is expanding its operations in India with the establishment of a 12,500 sq ft tool-room facility at Neelambur, near Coimbatore.
The Group is investing €300,000 to establish the facility here, Mr Holger Hummel, Director, Hummel AG told Business Line.
Hummel - a manufacturer of cable glands, circular connectors, industrial enclosures, touch panels and electronics for medical, measurement and control technology - started its operations in India in 2008. In the first three years , the company was basically studying the market and exploring the opportunities here, said Mr Hummel.
“Though a renowned brand in Germany, people here were not aware of it. They are now convinced about our product range and quality. The growth in the initial phase was quite promising; so we decided to establish a manufacturing facility here,” he said.
Hummel AG also has subsidiaries in China, Hungary, Sweden, Russia and Brazil.
The Group is investing €300,000 to establish the facility here, Mr Holger Hummel, Director, Hummel AG told Business Line.
Hummel - a manufacturer of cable glands, circular connectors, industrial enclosures, touch panels and electronics for medical, measurement and control technology - started its operations in India in 2008. In the first three years , the company was basically studying the market and exploring the opportunities here, said Mr Hummel.
“Though a renowned brand in Germany, people here were not aware of it. They are now convinced about our product range and quality. The growth in the initial phase was quite promising; so we decided to establish a manufacturing facility here,” he said.
Hummel AG also has subsidiaries in China, Hungary, Sweden, Russia and Brazil.
Indian, Australian scientists to participate in workshop on climate change
Kochi: The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in collaboration with the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, will conduct an international workshop on 'Preparing for climate change on marine systems in Australia and India' from March 6-10 in the city.
Michael Carter, consul commercial and trade commissioner of Australia at Chennai will inaugurate the workshop at 10 am on Tuesday. Seven scientists from Australia led by Stewart Frusher, associate professor, IMAS, will participate in the workshop. The Indian team of 14 scientists will be led by G Syda Rao, director, CMFRI.
Funded by the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund, the aim of the workshop is to bring together an inter-disciplinary research team from both countries to improve understanding on the impacts of climate change on marine resources and stakeholders.
Both these regions have been identified as global warming hotspots.
Michael Carter, consul commercial and trade commissioner of Australia at Chennai will inaugurate the workshop at 10 am on Tuesday. Seven scientists from Australia led by Stewart Frusher, associate professor, IMAS, will participate in the workshop. The Indian team of 14 scientists will be led by G Syda Rao, director, CMFRI.
Funded by the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund, the aim of the workshop is to bring together an inter-disciplinary research team from both countries to improve understanding on the impacts of climate change on marine resources and stakeholders.
Both these regions have been identified as global warming hotspots.
Bharat Dynamics, BITS Pilani sign pact
Hyderabad: In another example of industry-academia interface, the public sector Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) will support the setting up of a Centre of Excellence in the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS, Pilani), Hyderabad Campus.
It is part of a 5-year memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed between the two here. While the Hyderabad-based BDL is the manufacturer of missiles and guided weapon systems, under the Union Ministry of Defence, BITS, Pilani is amongst the top higher education Institutes in the country.
As per the MoU, BDL and BITS will engage in collaborative research in areas such as digital image processing, embedded systems, VLSI design, information security and management, seeker technologies, etc.
Prof. Bijendra Nath Jain, Vice-Chancellor of BITS, Pilani and Dr N.K. Raju, Executive Director (P&A) of BDL, signed the MoU.
While BDL will provide necessary support to create the Centre of Excellence, BITS-Pilani will provide the necessary space and basic amenities required for creation and functioning of the centre, according to a press release.
BITS-Pilani would continue to design and operate educational programmes to meet the learning and development needs of BDL through its work integrated learning programme (WILP). BDL could sponsor its employees for enrolment in ME/MS/PhD programmes. Also BDL will continue to support the Practice School programme of BITS-Pilani.
It is part of a 5-year memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed between the two here. While the Hyderabad-based BDL is the manufacturer of missiles and guided weapon systems, under the Union Ministry of Defence, BITS, Pilani is amongst the top higher education Institutes in the country.
As per the MoU, BDL and BITS will engage in collaborative research in areas such as digital image processing, embedded systems, VLSI design, information security and management, seeker technologies, etc.
Prof. Bijendra Nath Jain, Vice-Chancellor of BITS, Pilani and Dr N.K. Raju, Executive Director (P&A) of BDL, signed the MoU.
While BDL will provide necessary support to create the Centre of Excellence, BITS-Pilani will provide the necessary space and basic amenities required for creation and functioning of the centre, according to a press release.
BITS-Pilani would continue to design and operate educational programmes to meet the learning and development needs of BDL through its work integrated learning programme (WILP). BDL could sponsor its employees for enrolment in ME/MS/PhD programmes. Also BDL will continue to support the Practice School programme of BITS-Pilani.
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance brands will bring in Thomas Pink
Mumbai: Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Brands will bring British shirt brand Thomas Pink, owned by French major Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), to India as it looks to rapidly increase its presence in the fast-growing domestic premium-to-luxury fashion retail market.
Reliance Brands, a wholly-owned arm of Reliance Industries, and Thomas Pink Ltd have signed an exclusive long-term franchise agreement to set up stores which sell shirts and accessories of the British brand named after its founder Pink, an 18th century London tailor. The company will make a formal announcement on Friday.
"I can't think of a country most suited than India due to its British heritage and a society known for its affinity for shirts. We will leverage on the strength of LVMH, especially in the areas of marketing and real estate and also combine the strength of a partner like Reliance," said Jonathan Heilbron, president and CEO Thomas Pink.
The Mumbai-based premium-to-luxury fashion brands company will open its first Thomas Pink store this year in South Mumbai's upmarket location where shoppers scour for international brands in glitzy malls.
The brand will be sold at 5000-6000, pitting itself against the likes of Hugo Boss, Paul Smith in the 'affordable luxury market'. "The Thomas Pink is an interesting brand in laddering the aspirational Indian consumer towards luxury," says Darsha Mehta, president & CEO, Reliance Retail.
The Ambanis have signed two partnerships in less than a week, signalling their intention to scale up in the premium-to-luxury retail space after a low-profile beginning in 2007.
Ever since the opening of the first store in Mumbai's upscale Juhu area in April 2010, Reliance Brands has been on an expansion spree, opening a total of 60 stores, 20 each in the north, west and southern states.
In the process, the company has partnered with ten brands including big boys like Diesel, Hamleys, Ermenegildo Zegna, Kenneth Cole and Timberland. Less than a week ago, Reliance Brands struck a JV with Iconix Brand Group, grabbing the ownership rights of 20 international lifestyle brands.
Reliance Brands, a wholly-owned arm of Reliance Industries, and Thomas Pink Ltd have signed an exclusive long-term franchise agreement to set up stores which sell shirts and accessories of the British brand named after its founder Pink, an 18th century London tailor. The company will make a formal announcement on Friday.
"I can't think of a country most suited than India due to its British heritage and a society known for its affinity for shirts. We will leverage on the strength of LVMH, especially in the areas of marketing and real estate and also combine the strength of a partner like Reliance," said Jonathan Heilbron, president and CEO Thomas Pink.
The Mumbai-based premium-to-luxury fashion brands company will open its first Thomas Pink store this year in South Mumbai's upmarket location where shoppers scour for international brands in glitzy malls.
The brand will be sold at 5000-6000, pitting itself against the likes of Hugo Boss, Paul Smith in the 'affordable luxury market'. "The Thomas Pink is an interesting brand in laddering the aspirational Indian consumer towards luxury," says Darsha Mehta, president & CEO, Reliance Retail.
The Ambanis have signed two partnerships in less than a week, signalling their intention to scale up in the premium-to-luxury retail space after a low-profile beginning in 2007.
Ever since the opening of the first store in Mumbai's upscale Juhu area in April 2010, Reliance Brands has been on an expansion spree, opening a total of 60 stores, 20 each in the north, west and southern states.
In the process, the company has partnered with ten brands including big boys like Diesel, Hamleys, Ermenegildo Zegna, Kenneth Cole and Timberland. Less than a week ago, Reliance Brands struck a JV with Iconix Brand Group, grabbing the ownership rights of 20 international lifestyle brands.
Intel launches Future Scientist programme; to cover 50,000 girls
Hyderabad: India developed Intel Future Scientist programme, that aims to sustain the innovative streak in students, has been launched by the global chip maker.
The programme empowers teachers to transform science and math education in their classrooms. It is aimed at enabling the next generation of innovators to have a sound grounding in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The focus of the initiative is to help science teachers present their curricula from an inquiry-based perspective to help foster a spirit of research and innovation among their students.
The programme was initially launched at the Asia Science Educator Academy in December 2011. Intel will work with leading NGOs, social organisations and State Governments to execute the roll out of the programme and reach close to 50,000 girls and help them develop scientific skills and expertise.
The programme will give the next generation of innovators a solid STEM education through curricula, competitions and online educational resources.
A press release from Intel quoted Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, Member of the Planning Commission of Government of India as saying, “At every level, science education remains crucial for India's continued growth as a knowledge economy. I hope the Intel Future Scientist programme will support schools across the country to strengthen inquiry based learning, spark curiosity and encourage innovation in the classrooms.”
Seven Modules
The programme consists of seven modules that are delivered over two days of training comprising inquiry-based learning, facilitating scientific inquiry from the classroom to the science fair.
Technology is amongst the greatest tools to advance education and we need innovative programmes that have challenging curricula to prepare our students for the careers of the future. Promoting and nurturing that spirit of inquiry among students is the primary goal of Intel Future Scientist programme,” said Dr. Praveen Vishakantaiah, President of Intel India.
The programme empowers teachers to transform science and math education in their classrooms. It is aimed at enabling the next generation of innovators to have a sound grounding in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The focus of the initiative is to help science teachers present their curricula from an inquiry-based perspective to help foster a spirit of research and innovation among their students.
The programme was initially launched at the Asia Science Educator Academy in December 2011. Intel will work with leading NGOs, social organisations and State Governments to execute the roll out of the programme and reach close to 50,000 girls and help them develop scientific skills and expertise.
The programme will give the next generation of innovators a solid STEM education through curricula, competitions and online educational resources.
A press release from Intel quoted Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, Member of the Planning Commission of Government of India as saying, “At every level, science education remains crucial for India's continued growth as a knowledge economy. I hope the Intel Future Scientist programme will support schools across the country to strengthen inquiry based learning, spark curiosity and encourage innovation in the classrooms.”
Seven Modules
The programme consists of seven modules that are delivered over two days of training comprising inquiry-based learning, facilitating scientific inquiry from the classroom to the science fair.
Technology is amongst the greatest tools to advance education and we need innovative programmes that have challenging curricula to prepare our students for the careers of the future. Promoting and nurturing that spirit of inquiry among students is the primary goal of Intel Future Scientist programme,” said Dr. Praveen Vishakantaiah, President of Intel India.
UK biopharma, health science firms explore tie-ups with Indian cos
Bangalore: Bio-pharmaceutical and health science sector representatives from the UK are to explore and expand partnerships with Indian companies.
Mr Ian Felton, British Deputy High Commissioner, Bangalore, said: “The UK-India Innovation and Leadership Meeting will be held at IIM, Bangalore, on March 5 and 6 to encourage IP-protected research and innovation in health science, explore entrepreneurial opportunities.”
“The visiting UK delegation is here to sign up a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian counterparts to formalise their existing and fruitful science relationship,” he added.
UK representatives include Kings College London, Research Councils UK (RCUK), UK-India Business Council (UKIBC), Wellcome Trust, BioCity Nottingham and the University of Nottingham.
British companies attending include Critical Pharmaceuticals, UK, with a pipeline of novel biological products, Proxima Concepts, UK, offering oral delivery of peptides and proteins and technology for drug discovery, PGXis UK that is a genomics technology firm and Inception Associates UK that helps Indian firms in the sector, set up in the UK.
The 2012 Bio-Business Plan Competition is also being hosted by C-CAMP Bangalore and IIT Kanpur; finalists, who have attended a three-day Bio-Entrepreneurship and Business Development Training Programme delivered by BioCity Nottingham, will showcase their business concepts next week. The winner will receive a package of benefits worth around Rs 15 lakh to help them start a new company.
The meeting will showcase joint Indo-UK research, host winners of a bio-business plan competition and celebrate bio-entrepreneurial success stories in India.
“The meet will also discuss barriers and facilitators to innovation in the pharma industry and trends and developments in managing supply chains globally. I encourage Indian public and private research and development (R&D) institutions and entrepreneurs to come to the meeting and explore the potential to create new collaborations or expand existing links with the UK in this cutting-edge sector of bio-pharmaceuticals,” Mr Felton said.
Mr Ian Felton, British Deputy High Commissioner, Bangalore, said: “The UK-India Innovation and Leadership Meeting will be held at IIM, Bangalore, on March 5 and 6 to encourage IP-protected research and innovation in health science, explore entrepreneurial opportunities.”
“The visiting UK delegation is here to sign up a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian counterparts to formalise their existing and fruitful science relationship,” he added.
UK representatives include Kings College London, Research Councils UK (RCUK), UK-India Business Council (UKIBC), Wellcome Trust, BioCity Nottingham and the University of Nottingham.
British companies attending include Critical Pharmaceuticals, UK, with a pipeline of novel biological products, Proxima Concepts, UK, offering oral delivery of peptides and proteins and technology for drug discovery, PGXis UK that is a genomics technology firm and Inception Associates UK that helps Indian firms in the sector, set up in the UK.
The 2012 Bio-Business Plan Competition is also being hosted by C-CAMP Bangalore and IIT Kanpur; finalists, who have attended a three-day Bio-Entrepreneurship and Business Development Training Programme delivered by BioCity Nottingham, will showcase their business concepts next week. The winner will receive a package of benefits worth around Rs 15 lakh to help them start a new company.
The meeting will showcase joint Indo-UK research, host winners of a bio-business plan competition and celebrate bio-entrepreneurial success stories in India.
“The meet will also discuss barriers and facilitators to innovation in the pharma industry and trends and developments in managing supply chains globally. I encourage Indian public and private research and development (R&D) institutions and entrepreneurs to come to the meeting and explore the potential to create new collaborations or expand existing links with the UK in this cutting-edge sector of bio-pharmaceuticals,” Mr Felton said.
Cabinet committee approves for deepening of Mumbai Port channel
Mumbai: The cabinet committee on infrastructure on Thursday approved the much-awaited work involving the deepening and widening of the channel leading to Mumbai Port Trust and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) at an estimated cost of 1571.60 crore.
The proposed project will increase the depth of the channel to 14 m from the current 10 m to allow vessels of more than 6,000 teu to travel to the port, and the first phase is expected to be completed in the next two years.
"The ports will be able to attract international container vessels and reduce the turnaround of larger vessels which will enable JN Port to be developed as a hub port on the west coast," the committee said in a statement.
The channel deepening project, to be jointly undertaken by JNPT and Mumbai Port Trust, will see JNPT infusing more than 1,400 crore for the project, while Mumbai Port will have to bring in 200 crore.
Earlier, the shipping ministry had decided that JNPT will bear more than 90% of the cost while Mumbai Port Trust will infuse 9.5%.
Two independent dredging companies and a consortium of two companies were allowed to bid in the final round of technical bidding.
Belgium-based Jan De Nul group, Netherlands-based Royal Boskalis Westminster and a consortium of Netherlands-based Van Oord and Dredging International, an Australian dredging company, were the three firms given security clearance recently and shortlisted for the project.
The proposed project will increase the depth of the channel to 14 m from the current 10 m to allow vessels of more than 6,000 teu to travel to the port, and the first phase is expected to be completed in the next two years.
"The ports will be able to attract international container vessels and reduce the turnaround of larger vessels which will enable JN Port to be developed as a hub port on the west coast," the committee said in a statement.
The channel deepening project, to be jointly undertaken by JNPT and Mumbai Port Trust, will see JNPT infusing more than 1,400 crore for the project, while Mumbai Port will have to bring in 200 crore.
Earlier, the shipping ministry had decided that JNPT will bear more than 90% of the cost while Mumbai Port Trust will infuse 9.5%.
Two independent dredging companies and a consortium of two companies were allowed to bid in the final round of technical bidding.
Belgium-based Jan De Nul group, Netherlands-based Royal Boskalis Westminster and a consortium of Netherlands-based Van Oord and Dredging International, an Australian dredging company, were the three firms given security clearance recently and shortlisted for the project.
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