Keane India may set up a fourth ADC

CIRCUIT EC / Hyderabad

Keane India is weighing its options for setting up a fourth advanced development centre (ADC) in India subject to the completion of a $25 million expansion at its three existing ADCs. Keane currently has ADCs in Hyderabad, Gurgaon and Noida, with a focus on outsourcing (application outsourcing and BPO), development & integration services, and other IT services. The current headcount of Keane India’s IT division is over 1,300, and is expected to touch 3,000, while its total headcount will reach 5,000 by 2005. This figure includes staff of the recently acquired BPO company Woldzen, in which Keane has a 62 percent stake. The BPO company is engaged in data processing and voice services. The manpower in the BPO division will be enhanced to 2,000 people from 300 today. The Hyderabad ADC accounts for about 50 percent of the company’s manpower.

“We are considering Chennai or Pune—among other cities—to set up our fourth development centre. Since the proposed centre will be need-based, we have not set any timeframe. Once our headcount at each centre reaches 1,000, we will opt for a fourth centre, presumably in 2005. There are three reasons behind the strategy of going in for a fourth centre. When a large number of people work at one centre, we lose focus. By expanding to other cities we can tap local talent and ensure business continuity. Our preference for a limited number of people at a particular centre will ensure total clarity and control over operations, and smooth functioning of HR policies. The Hyderabad centre will continue to be the largest centre for Keane in India,” Parmindar Miglani, managing director, Keane India said.

Keane has recently announced that the company has been assessed at CMMI Level-5 across its three centres.