Misys will double headcount by 2005-end

Misys, the UK-based $1.6 billion banking and healthcare software products major, will double its development strength at its Bangalore centre to 1,000 professionals by 2005-end. Majority of the expansion will be to beef up its development team focussing on its healthcare business.

Speaking to reporters in Bangalore on Tuesday, Misys founder and chairman Kevin Lomax terming the focus of his company as on health and wealth, said: "The fact that Misys operates around 30 countries across the globe, always gives us a strong business advantage. It means that wherever we do business, we can balance economy of scale with real local knowledge. Our operations in Bangalore are core to our strategy and by end of 2005, we intend to exceed 1,000 staff in Bangalore, which is around 15 per cent of our headcount. And that is simply a reflection of the speed at which the Bangalore team has established its reputation for innovation, customer service and quality."

"Over the next three years, on a global scale we intend to have a 55 per cent increase in our R&D strength. The majority will be in Bangalore and what we have announced today is just for the first year of that plan," Lomax noted.

The corporation operates three main development units in India focussing on retail banking, risk management and healthcare. In addition to software development, the Bangalore centre also address product management, professional and customer services for clients in India and worldwide.

Lomax further added that though the Indian expansion is part of its overall expansion plans, "there will be a few replacements from other centres to Bangalore."

Misys is also stepping up its market presence in the Indian banking sector.