Microsoft to scale up local operations

NASSCOM 2004

In keeping with Microsoft chief Bill Gates' announcement of the company's extensive plans for India, Microsoft has decided to ramp up its software development activities in the country and double headcount from 200 to 500 employees by 2005.

Microsoft which entered the country 13 years ago with a sales and marketing division set up its software development centre in 1998 for the co-development of its mainstream products.

"We are constantly ramping up our India operations. India is not very large from a revenue profit sharing point of view but we want it to become a more vital part of our business worldwide," said Sanjay Mirchandani, president of Microsoft India. Microsoft will also roll out its Windows XP in 14 local languages besides English and Hindi for domestic users.

The company has also made changes at the organisational level by appointing a new chairman for its India operations. Ravi Venkatesan has been appointed the chairman and general manager of Microsoft India.

Ravi has been with Cummins India for 17 years and resigned as the chairman of the company. Rajiv Kaul still retains his position as a managing director and will be in charge of the company's sales and marketing activities.

Microsoft now operates four separate divisions in India namely, sales and marketing, software development, global product support and software development for business application.

Ravi's job in the company will involve ensuring a more integrated working of the four divisions to build what has been dubbed 'One Microsoft'. One Microsoft is an effort by the company to consolidate its assets in India to make the company work more effectively.