Briefs

Atlantic Crossing to assist Regency Infotech

Atlantic Crossing, a US-based firm, which launched its operations in India last September, has tied up with several Indian IT firms for its ‘Assist India’ programme. One such tie-up is with Regency Infotech, a company specialising in GIS Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Atlantic Crossing’s ‘Assist India’ programme is an accelerated programme for Indian IT companies to set up business in the European and US markets.

Said Ritika Hiranandani, head of Indian operations of Atlantic Crossing, “Atlantic Crossing is currently advising Regency with key inputs on product modification for the tremendously competitive US market. Regency is being placed in a niche market keeping its industry specific product profile in mind. After reviewing Regency’s existing software and capabilities, Atlantic Crossing has recommended a two-prong approach in exploring opportunities in the US.”

This expertise could provide Regency an entry into the lucrative field of city and utility planning in emerging cities to provide a full-service vendor for database, programming and development of GIS applications on the Web, and location-based services.

OPI to increase India headcount

US-based Outsource Partners International (OPI) intends to ramp up its Indian headcount from 300 to 750 by year end at a cost of $2 million. The company’s second facility at Bangalore will accommodate more than 600 associates. Post-expansion, OPI will employ 1,000 people globally. The company will hire experienced commerce graduates, post-graduates and chartered accountants for its Indian centre. OPI is working closely with the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore and Christ College, Bangalore to provide internship programmes at its centre.

Clarence T Schmitz, chairman and chief executive officer, Outsource Partners International said, “Our clients in the US can save 25 to 50 percent by outsourcing to India. Accounts graduates with three years’ experience are available in India for an annual pay package of $15,000 to $30,000. In comparison, entry-level professionals in the US get paid $50,000 to $60,000 annually. Moreover, five Indian accounting professionals can do the same job that requires at least 10 people in the US.”

SYSTIMAX takes aim at broadband

CommScope, a manufacturer of broadband co-axial and fibre-optic cables has acquired the Connectivity Solutions business of Avaya in February 2004. It has spun off this division as a separate company called SYSTIMAX Solutions. SYSTIMAX is a well-known brand in the Indian structured cabling market with a market share of 24 percent. The new company will address the cable broadband market in India.

SYSTIMAX’s Indian clients include the likes of Accenture, Intel, Oracle, HP, Microsoft, American Express, GE and Dell. Prasanna Kumar V, sales director-India & SAARC, SYSTIMAX Solutions said, “CommScope being our parent company will help us gain a foothold in the cable broadband market [for hybrid fibre and coaxial cabling that is used in cable TV or Internet over cable deployments]. Reliance and Tata Teleservices, (TTSL) have big plans for rolling out Internet through cable TV. We believe that this is a big market opportunity.” SYSTIMAX expects to have a broader line of last mile access products and solutions for voice, data and video.