Shivaki Lines Up Software Foray

Shivaki of Japan is all set to make India its base for software development. The electronics and multimedia products group has chalked out plans to set up a separate software division in Bangalore next year.

Shivaki's local subsidiary, Entel, has identified four areas in the IT industry for launching its software division. Bangalore-based Entel will develop solutions for the Internet, multimedia, banking and financial packages market. A core team of Shivaki's software division will start operations in the country shortly. It is expected to invest Rs 4 crore during the current fiscal for the expansion. Entel, which specialises in multimedia presentation products, has shortlisted three IT companies in the south for a joint venture. It is also evaluating some other companies with interests in software development. Entel expects to `neutralise', with the software foray, its import contents in the country, R Sridharan, head of Entel's multimedia division, told Business Standard.

 

While the company has plans to work closely with other IT companies initially, it hopes to have its own software division within a year's time. Shivaki is likely to target both local and foreign markets for marketing its software solutions. Entel became part of the AGIV group (the group markets the Shivaki brand of products) last year. It has presence in over 40 countries.

Following Shivaki's takeover, Entel has diversified into the TV, audio and video fields. It has manufacturing facilities at Delhi, Nasik and Bangalore.

Entel, before its take over, had been associated with the broadcasting, communication, education and entertainment areas. Following the acquisition, the company has registered its presence in the local consumer electronic field by manufacturing Shivaki's audio, video equipment and writswatches.

Entel has tie-ups with NEC of Japan for video, data and graphics projectors and LCD monitors, US-based Extron Electronics of for computer interfaces, Ikegami of Japan for professional broadcast cameras, Canon for zoom lens, EVS of Belgium for video disk servers, etc. Shivaki Industries will also enter the local home appliances market by introducing its range of white goods: washing machines, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners and other consumer durables. The Japanese company has decided to locally manufacture and market its line of home appliances under its TV and audio, video division set up by Entel.