Nokia becomes new victim on Apple web page

Nokia becomes new victim on Apple web page

Apple chief Steve Jobs has been rebuked by many in mobile industry for pointing fingers at other brands on the antenna reception following the reception complaints about Apple iPhone 4. Despite this Apple seem to be more defiant and on an offensive mode now.

To support its claim that the problem is shared by the entire industry, Apple's new Antenna web page has started targeting all brands with its test results.

Now, Apple's new target is Nokia. The Apple site has already reported Antenna reception problem in BlackBerry, HTC and Samsung models, which the companies denied too.

The new video on the Apple Web page shows the N97 mini’s signal strength bars drop from eight down to two over the course of a minute. The demonstration shows yet another smartphone succumbing to the same issue that has been the focus of iPhone 4 complaints, and also underscores the fact that there isn’t any standardization in how cell signal strength is represented from phone to phone.

Test results as claimed by Apple:

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BlackBerry Bold 9700 dropped from 5 bars to 1 bar when held in a way that attenuated the signal.

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HTC Droid Eris dropped from 4 bars to 0 bars when held in a way that attenuated the signal.

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Nokia N97 mini dropped from 7 bars to 2 bars when held in a way that attenuated the signal.

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Samsung Omnia II dropped from 4 bars to 1 bar when held in a way that attenuated the signal.

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iPhone 3GS dropped from 3 bars to 1 bar when held in a way that attenuated the signal

Also read: Nokia makes fun of Apple iPhone 4

Last week Apple chief Steve Jobs had rejected any suggestion the iPhone 4's design was flawed on the reception issue and claimed the problem was shared by the entire industry.

However, the Job's claim has been strongly denied by Blackberry and Samsung. After Apple put up antenna reception test result of Samsung Omnia II, Samsung said that it had not received significant customer feedback on any signal reduction issue for the Omnia II.

Similarly, Jobs' argument was also swiftly rejected by RIM, which charged Apple of trying deliberately to distort the issues surrounding the iPhone 4's antenna design by asserting RIM's BlackBerry had similar reception problems.

Apple's Antenna web page claims that every smartphone has a cellular antenna. And nearly every smartphone can lose signal strength if you hold it in a certain way. Further, Apple boasts that it has invested more than $100 million building its advanced antenna design and test labs.

It may be recalled here that Nokia's official blog had recentely sought to make fun of Apple's suggestion to iPhone 4 users on defining positions to use the phone, indirectly though, without even mentioning the iPhone 4.

Ref: http://ciol.com

Airtel to ring iPhone4's tune in September

Airtel to ring iPhone4's tune in September

The much hyped iPhone 4 would soon hit the Indian mobile market if all goes well between the country's largest telecom operator, Bharti Airtel, and the handset maker, Apple.

"We are working with Apple. Hopefully in the September-October time frame we would launch the phone," Sanjay Kapoor, Chief Executive of Bharti Airtel (India and South Asia), told reporters on the sidelines of a CII conference.


Earlier in June, Vodafone Essar had spoken of its plans to launch the iPhone 4 in India, without specifying a timeframe for the same.

On the rollout of Broadband Wireless Access services in four circles - Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kolkata and Punjab - which it bagged for Rs.3,314.36 crore, Kapoor said they were still to decide on the technology that will be used.

Airtel, which won 13 circles in the auction of airwaves for third generation (3G) telephony spectrum, shelling out Rs.12,295.46 crore ($2.73 billion), has also started gearing up its network to enable a quicker rollout of such services.

Bharti Airtel already sells iPhone 3GS in India priced at Rs 35,500 for the 16 GB model and Rs. 41,500 for the 32GB model.

Apple had last month announced the launch of the iPhone 4 with a sharper screen and video-chat features in an attempt to ward-off competition from devices running Google's Android software.

"As far as 3G is concerned, a very large amount of the network is 3G ready. We are working towards an aggressive timeline," said Kapoor.

Ref: http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Airtel_to_ring_iPhone4s_tune_in_September_-nid-69824.html?utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Subscriber

Indian Electronics Products A $100 Billion Opportunity

Indian Electronics Products A $100 Billion Opportunity
Author: Sajay Nayak
Co-founder and CEO, Tejas Networks

Despite the fact that Indians have contributed immensely in building many successful global high-tech product companies, we still don't have globally successful, high-tech product companies from India. Indian companies have gained significant success over the last 20 years in the global IT and ITeS industry. However, we still don't have innovation-driven, globally successful, high-tech product companies from India; despite the fact that people of Indian origin have contributed immensely in building many successful global high-tech product companies and no one doubts the technological and entrepreneurial caliber of Indians.

According to a recent report by Ernst & Young, the Indian domestic demand for electronics products is expected to reach $125 billion by 2014, up from the current level of $45 billion annually. The primary demand drivers are sectors like telecom, defence, IT and e-governance, automotive, consumer electronics, and energy. At these demand levels, unless India creates its own electronics product industry, the imports of such products will create the single largest trade deficit item, which would even be larger than petroleum products. On the other hand, if this unique opportunity is utilized, it can create a large industry catering to domestic consumption, which will help achieve self reliance in strategic sectors like telecom and defence, while leading to large exports.

Most leading countries in the world have nurtured their domestic electronic industry that has not only met their domestic and strategic needs, but also created successful businesses that export several billion dollars worth of products around the world. For instance, electronic products form an insignificant part of our GDP, whereas they contribute to over 22 percent of GDP of Israel and over 15 percent for Korea and Taiwan. Also, as a global player, U.S. has over 40 percent share of global electronic products markets and China has 15 percent, whereas the share of India is close to nil.

Today India has the two most important ingredients that can enable us build global product companies ? a huge domestic market and a large pool of highly talented technical and managerial workforce. In addition, we also have venture capitalists who have the financial resources to provide the necessary funding for capable product startups. Given these ingredients, what is missing and why don't we have the likes of Cisco, Apple, Nokia, or Huawei from India?

For building an Indian product industry, it is important to focus on activities that contribute to highest amount of value-addition and also lie in the sweet-spot of our core strengths. The majority of value-addition in electronic products comes from R&D, IPR creation, hardware, software, and product design, and then marketing, branding, and sales activities. Fortunately, R&D and IPR creation is a knowledge and people-driven activity, in which India has a global edge that we must leverage, and which requires relatively less capital investments. Due to sophisticated Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and emergence of high capacity programmable devices, even hardware design has become similar to software development, an area in which India has established global leadership. The actual manufacturing that requires huge investments in basic infrastructure and logistics can be outsourced to global Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) companies that have economies of scale. Once we have Indian product companies, it will have a pull-through effect to create a vibrant eco-system of EMS, semiconductor, and component industries in India.

So far the low-cost of Indian technical workforce has been used as a cost-arbitrage for building a profitable IT services industry. Indian product companies can use this cost advantage to do a lot more R&D and innovation for the same investments. This 'innovation leverage' is a sustainable competitive advantage for Indian companies against their peers in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, who are facing severe competitive pressure from the Chinese companies, and are being forced to cut-back on R&D due to reduced profitability. In fact, this also creates an opportunity for Indian companies to partner and become 'product developers' for global companies who can continue to leverage their existing brands and sales channels to provide market access to Indian products globally.

For hardware products, unlike software, a volume-base is required to become cost competitive, without which it is impossible for companies to compete successfully against global players who are much larger and have a large volume and cost advantage. This is where the Indian government must step in and use the large domestic market to provide 'market-pull' for Indian companies that develop world-class telecom products. The government must mandate that a certain percentage of the Indian domestic demand is reserved for Indian product companies that meet global technical and quality standards. This volume-base will enable Indian companies reduce their production costs and become globally competitive. In addition, they will build credibility with customers in India who can be used as references, when Indian companies start selling internationally. There are several large government projects (on broadband, rural connectivity, education, as well as e-governance) that are on the anvil and can be used as incubators for stimulating the development of Indian products. The fact that the Chinese government has successfully leveraged their domestic demand to support the creation of global product companies from China, is well documented.

While the domestic market will provide the initial success for Indian products, it is crucial that they turn this success into a global one. This will require a sustained investment to build the brand for Indian electronic products in the international markets. Since this activity requires deep pockets, a government intervention is required, especially to promote 'made-in-India' electronics products globally. In addition, the government should make electronics product exports a thrust area for bi-lateral trade. The Chinese government has effectively used bi-lateral trade promotion for their telecom equipment exports, while the U.S. and Israel have been using this successfully for defence products. An added advantage for Indian product companies in the telecom sector is the fact that many Indian telecom operators are now becoming global players, especially after their overseas acquisitions, and can become effective vehicles for globalization of Indian products and brands.

Electronics being a high-tech sector with rapid changes in technology, it requires sustained investment and a focused policy support to develop world-class capabilities. While venture funding is available in India, most of the funding is going to the middle and late stage companies. Lack of adequate early-stage funding is still an issue for product companies, especially since many first time Indian entrepreneurs are unlikely to have adequate financial resource of their own to sustain and fund their companies, even during the proof-of-concept stage. While the VC and angel funding mechanism falls into place, the government should immediately step in to provide R&D funding to create Indian products and IPR, especially since India's investment in R&D, at less than one percent of GDP, is amongst the lowest in the developed and emerging countries. There are lessons to be learned from the success of early-stage funding of R&D in other countries. In particular, the funding model used in Israel by the Office of Chief Scientist (OCS) has played a very vital role in Israel's emergence as a global leader in electronics and security products.

India has been a great success story in the IT services industry and we now have a great opportunity to create our own electronics product industry, which will help us move up the value chain and create global technology brands. We are now at a threshold of a decisive phase in our growth where, if the government and entrepreneurs take concrete steps we can create a $100 billion electronics product industry from India in the next 10 years.

Ref:

http://www.siliconindia.com/guestcontributor/guestarticle/313/Indian_Electronics_Products_A_100_Billion_Opportunity__Sajay_Nayak.html

Hewlett Packard plans to cut another 9,000 jobs

Hewlett Packard plans to cut another 9,000 jobs

Hewlett Packard, the world's top computer maker, is in the midst of a major restructuring that would affect around 9,000 jobs over the next few years.

The new job cuts will be over and above the 6,700 jobs the company slashed last year.

HP, which is investing $1 billion in its enterprise services unit over the next few years, said it expects an annual saving of $500-$700 million post restructuring.

HP is planning fully automated, standardised, state-of-the-art commercial data centres and said the job cuts will mostly be the result of productivity gains and automation.

The data centres will be built on HP's converged infrastructure and operated by its industry-leading management software.

HP is planning a wholesale shift to the new infrastructure leveraging on its experience in its own IT transformation. HP said it would help clients to migrate their applications to these modernised infrastructure platforms that are faster and more efficient.

Palo Alto, California-based HP last month announced a 13 per cent jump in its fiscal second quarter net revenue at $30.8 billion.

HP's enterprise storage and servers (ESS) reported total revenue of $4.5 billion, up 31 per cent. Industry standard server revenue increased 54 per cent, while storage revenue increased 16 per cent with the midrange EVA product line up 3 per cent. Business Critical Systems revenue declined 17 per cent, while ESS blade revenue was up 45 per cent.

Operating profit was $571 million, or 12.6 per cent of revenue, up from $250 million, or 7.2 per cent of revenue, in the prior-year period.

GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.91, up from $0.71 in the prior-year period. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.09, up from $0.86 in the prior-year period.

Second quarter revenue was up 11 per cent in the Americas to $13.5 billion. Revenue was up 11 per cent in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and up 19 per cent in Asia Pacific to $11.8 billion and $5.5 billion, respectively. When adjusted for the effects of currency, revenue was up 9 per cent in the Americas, up 7 per cent in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and up 10 per cent in Asia Pacific. Revenue from outside of the US in the second quarter accounted for 66 per cent of total HP revenue, with revenue in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) increasing 25 per cent while accounting for 10 per cent of total HP revenue.

HP's enterprise storage and servers (ESS) reported total revenue of $4.5 billion, up 31 per cent. Industry standard server revenue increased 54 per cent, while storage revenue increased 16 per cent with the midrange EVA product line up 3 per cent. Business Critical Systems revenue declined 17 per cent, while ESS blade revenue was up 45 per cent.

Ref: http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_h/hewlett_packard/20100601_plans_2.html

HP sells HR firm ExcellerateHRO to Xerox affilifte ACS

HP sells HR firm ExcellerateHRO to Xerox affilifte ACS

Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), which the $22-billion Xerox acquired in February 2010, today said that it is acquiring ExcellerateHRO, LLP, a global benefits administration and relocation services provider, from Hewlett-Packard Company. The transaction is expected to close following the conclusion of the customary closing conditions.

The purchase of ExcellerateHRO establishes ACS as one of the world's single largest pension administrators and solidifies its role as a leading provider of outsourced health and welfare and relocation services. ExcellerateHRO's client list includes a broad selection of Fortune 500 clients and growing mid-market customers, who are served by more than 1,800 human resources specialists.

"This acquisition clearly demonstrates Xerox's commitment to invest in human resources services that will ultimately benefit all our clients," said Ann Vezina, ACS executive vice president and group president, ACS Human Resource Services. "This acquisition, coupled with our increasing investments in new products and services, broadens ACS' customer base, strengthens our capabilities and consistency to an expanding sector."

The acquisition complements ACS' $50-million investment in client-focused innovations in its human resource services business in the past 18 months and builds upon its ability to provide specific solutions to clients' needs, particularly in the employee benefits sector, such as pensions and 401(k) plans. The ExcellerateHRO transaction will also be the first acquisition by ACS since it was acquired by Xerox in February 2010, providing ACS with a broader global footprint as well as access to Xerox's extensive research and development capabilities.
Rohail Khan, executive managing director, ACS, said the acquisition of ExcellerateHRO broadens ACS access to new industries and markets, allowing the company to introduce its proprietary technology platform and business processes to an expanding marketplace.

"This acquisition will accelerate the pace of an unprecedented level of product and service innovation for clients seeking consistent service in a rapidly evolving human resources market," said Khan. "This transaction also features the inclusion of a leadership team that will provide additional deep domain expertise to our growing delivery platform."

ACS' services cover the entire spectrum of the human resources function, and are provided to more than 5.5 million employees and retirees in more than 80 countries worldwide in 20 languages. ACS administers $75 billion in defined contribution assets to 1.7 million participants. ACS' breadth of comprehensive HR solutions include: HR outsourcing services, total benefits outsourcing, learning management services and Buck Consultants.

Ref:http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_h/hewlett_packard/20100526_excelleratehro.html

Abbott Labs pays 3.7 bn dollars to buy into Mumbai's Piramal Healthcare

Abbott Labs pays 3.7 bn dollars to buy into Mumbai's Piramal Healthcare

US drug giant Abbott Laboratories has bought into the domestic business of India's Piramal Healthcare for a whopping 3.7 billion dollars.

Fending off competition from other drug companies like Britain's GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi Aventis and Pfizer, Abbott won the auction bid for Piramal. The deal reflects the heightened interest Western firms have displayed in the rapidly growing Indian drug market.

"It's a race. These markets are so significant in the future growth sources for our industry that it's important for us to be there early and in a meaningful, strong way," the Daily Express quoted Miles White, CEO of Abbott, as saying.

Piramal will retain its manufacturing business which supplies other drug makers around the world, as well as other operations including consumer products and bulk drugs manufacturing.

Ref: http://sify.com/finance/abbott-labs-pays-3-7-bn-dollars-to-buy-into-mumbai-s-piramal-healthcare-news-news-kfwnOcbgjhj.html

After 3D camera, Fujifilm launches 3D Print System

After 3D camera, Fujifilm launches 3D Print System

Fujifilm has announced the development of the new "3D Print System" which achieves high-quality and natural 3D print captured with a 3D digital camera. This new system, the printer and a PC, is ideal for on-location 3D photography at tourist spots, theme parks, events, and other locations that offer photo printing services on site because it is easy to set up and requires small foot print, announced Shigetaka Komori, President and CEO of Fujifilm. Thanks to this new development in the field of 3D imaging, the enjoyment of 3D images will be more accessible to a wider audience than ever before. This new 3D Print System is scheduled to be available from 2nd Quarter of 2010.

Featuring Fujifilm's "Image Intelligencee" technology, the system employs a printing method that uses thermal sublimation to transfer images directly onto lenticular sheets to create a 3D effect. Prints will be available in four different types from 4x6 inches (10.2 x 15.2cm) to 6 x 9 inches (15.2 x 22.9cm). In addition, varieties of 3D prints are available including 3D composite prints using 3D templates.

This has been called the first year of 3D, with predictions for rapid mass-appeal of 3D image enjoyment, from sales of 3D televisions to the popularization of 3D images and contents.

Fujifilm pioneered 3D in the photographic industry in 2009 with the successful launch of the "FinePix REAL 3D W1" 3D digital camera and the "FinePix REAL 3D V1" 3D Digital Viewer allowing users, for the first time, to capture and view 3D images without wearing 3D glasses. Fujifilm has also been providing a 3D printing service for images taken on its camera.

These exciting launches in 3D have positioned Fujifilm as an industry leader in 3D photography. Now, with the new "3D Print System", Fujifilm will continue new product development and promotion initiatives in the marketplace, with a view toward even further expansion of the 3D imaging field.

Ref: http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/After_3D_camera_Fujifilm_launches_3D_Print_System-nid-65639.html/1/1

Internet will make you smart or dumb?

Internet will make you smart or dumb?

A survey of nearly 900 Internet stakeholders reveals that internet enhances and augments human intelligence. The Pew Internet/Elon University study shows fascinating new perspectives on the way the Internet is affecting human intelligence and the ways that information is being shared and rendered.

The web-based survey gathered opinions from prominent scientists, business leaders, consultants, writers and technology developers. It is the fourth in a series of Internet expert studies conducted by the Imagining the Internet Center at Elon University and the Pew Research Center?' Internet and American Life Project.

"Three out of four experts said our use of the Internet enhances and augments human intelligence, and two-thirds said use of the Internet has improved reading, writing and rendering of knowledge," said Janna Anderson, study co-author and director of the Imagining the Internet Center. "There are still many people, however, who are critics of the impact of Google, Wikipedia and other online tools."

Anderson and co-author Lee Rainie, Director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, asked a number of questions in the survey. Some of the most compelling responses were answers that extend the debate over criticisms leveled by tech scholar and analyst Nicholas Carr in a 2009 Atlantic Monthly magazine cover story titled "Is Google making us stupid?"

"What the Net does is shift the emphasis of our intelligence, away from what might be called a meditative or contemplative intelligence and more toward what might be called a utilitarian intelligence. The price of zipping among lots of bits of information is a loss of depth in our thinking," says Carr.

This is what a Google employee had to say, "Google will make us more informed. The smartest person in the world could well be behind a plow in China or India. Providing universal access to information will allow such people to realize their full potential, providing benefits to the entire world," said Hal Varian, Chief Economist, Google.

Ref: http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Internet_will_make_you_smart_or_dumb-nid-65661-cid--sid-.html

Virgin Mobile GSM Arrives in Maharashtra

Virgin Mobile GSM Arrives in Maharashtra

After expanding its GSM Services in the southern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Tamil Nadu and Kerala circles, Virgin Mobile has announced the launch of the same in the Maharashtra and Mumbai circles. These circles were already covered by Virgin Mobile's CDMA network, and now they are looking for a pie in the GSM market.

As always, Virgin Mobile offers competitive packages to its target audience - most of which are the youth. Subscribers across Maharashtra and Mumbai will be charged 20 paise per minute for Virgin-to-Virgin calls across any circles. For other networks, the rates would be 40 paise per minute for local and 50 paise per minute for STD calls. These are the standard rates without any additional "special" plans. Another option the consumers have is to opt for another plan that provides all local and STD calls at 1 paise per sec with a recharge of Rs. 12 and with a talk time of Rs. 10.88, which is valid for 365 days. The charges for SMS are 50 paise for local and Re. 1 for national. All calls on roaming are charged at 60 paise per min. Apart from these, Virgin is also offering two SMS pack options priced at Rs. 33 and Rs. 69.

Virgin Mobile has tied up with Tata DoCoMo to offer its GSM services in the country. For its CDMA network, they have a tie up with Tata Indicom. Virgin Mobile yearns to garner 10% of the market in the urban youth segment. Its CDMA services started in 2008 and currently both platforms only offer prepaid connections. They have also roped in Ranbir Kapoor and Genelia D' Souza as brand ambassadors for the GSM platform.
Ref: http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Virgin_Mobile_GSM_Arrives_in_Maharashtra/551-109396-613.html

Nokia Siemens bags $700 Million contract from Bharti

Nokia Siemens bags $700 Million contract from Bharti

Bharti Airtel and Nokia Siemens Networks have further strengthened their strategic partnership with a $700 million network expansion contract. The contract includes network planning, implementation and project management, handling of local logistics and materials, as well as system integration for the base station sites.

This GSM network expansion will cover the eight existing circles of Mumbai, Maharashtra and Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand, Orissa, Kolkata and West Bengal where Nokia Siemens Networks already provides equipment and managed services for Bharti Airtel. With close to 60 percent of Airtel's monthly customers coming from rural regions, this contract will enable Airtel to further aggressively expand its footprint into rural India.

"Airtel continues to drive innovation and leadership in the telecom sector. This expansion will not only expand our networks deeper into the rural hinterland but will also allow us to deliver a rich end-user experience, and satisfy the increasing demand for top-quality services," said Sanjay Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer - Designate, Bharti Airtel. "We are delighted with Nokia Siemens Networks' proven expertise and deep understanding of our requirements along with the assurance of network infrastructure that helps us sustain our leadership edge in India."

"The unprecedented growth in the Indian telecommunications sector is compelling telecom operators to offer compelling solutions," said Rajeev Suri, Chief Executive Officer at Nokia Siemens Networks. "With this upgrade, Bharti Airtel can enhance network efficiency for a better end-user experience and, just as importantly, reduce the overall cost of owning and operating its network."

Nokia Siemens Networks will deploy its energy-efficient network solutions, including Flexi multi-radio base stations, packet core platforms and microwave solutions for new and legacy networks to boost performance at a lower total cost of ownership and reduced carbon footprint.

The project will result in improvements to network capacity and spectral efficiency by employing a full range of services comprising network planning, implementation and optimization. Nokia Siemens Networks will also provide an operations and business management platform for the effective monitoring and management of the network. In addition, the company will ensure that Bharti Airtel's core and transport network is 3G-ready in order to reduce time to market and enable the fast rollout of 3G services at a later date.

Nokia Siemens Networks already supplies Bharti Airtel with a wide spectrum of solutions, including device management, mobile network portability, next-generation fixed-network and an interactive voice response system.
Ref: http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Nokia_Siemens_bags_700_Million_contract_from_Bharti-nid-65390.html?utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Subscriber

Wipro to Hire 7,500 Freshers in 2010-11

Wipro to hire 7,500 freshers in 2010-11

India's third largest software exporter Wipro plans to hire about 7,500 fresh graduates in the next financial year starting April 1, 2010. It will consist both engineering and non-engineering students.

Talking to Bloomberg UTV, Girish Paranjpe, Joint CEO of Wipro Technologies said, "We plan to bring in 7500 engineers for which we plan to go to campus. Not only engineers we are also planning to hire non engineering students."

Currently, the company is busy in making lateral hires. Recently the company had announced gave salary hikes to all its employees. With effect from February 1, employees are likely to get a pay hike in the 8 to 12 percent range with some even getting a 15 percent increase.

In the quarter ended December 31, 2009, the company's net profit rose to Rs.1,203 crore ($263 million) under international accounting rules, from Rs.1,010 crore a year ago. The company expects its revenue grow by 3.6-5.4 percent in the quarter ending March 31, 2010 from the preceding quarter to $1.16-$1.18 billion, after it posted a 4.9 percent sequential rise in the latest quarter.

Ref: http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Wipro_to_hire_7500_freshers_in_201011-nid-65374.html?utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Subscriber

Genpact plans to acquire Intelenet Global Services

Genpact plans to acquire Intelenet Global Services

Pramod Bhasin led Genpact plans to acquire Intelenet Global Services. The company is in talks with Blackstone, which holds a little under 80 percent in Intelenet, to explore a potential acquisition, reports Economic Times.

The acquisition may benefit Genpact, as the company is still dependent significantly dependent on its one-time parent, General Electric (GE). GE contributes around 40 percent of Genpact's revenues. "Intelenet's India business is the chief attraction to Genpact, but Blackstone is not willing to sell that alone," said a person related to the acquisition. The transaction value of the acquisition is likely to be around $600-750 million.

Replying to the mail sent by economic Times, Intelenet's Executive Vice President, Sandeep Aggarwal said, "The information was incorrect and the company was not aware of it." Whereas a senior Blackstone said, "I cannot comment on speculation."

It has not been easy market for Genpact in India, as the company failed to scale up its domestic business. On the other hand, Intelenet has an established domestic BPO business under Sparsh BPO, an acquisition it made in 2006. Alok Shende, Principal Analyst, Ascentius Consulting said, "Slowdown in the western markets has compelled internationally-focussed BPO firms to seriously evaluate risk diversification strategies. Focus will turn to markets that hold innate potential for size as well as growth."

GE which holds 18 percent in the company also plans to exit its holdings. Genpact's GE business has been under strain and its substantial contribution to revenue has been a cause of concern. In 2008, GE extended its master services agreement (MSA) with Genpact, ensuring a committed volume of business to Genpact, but concurrently advanced the expiration date of the provision requiring it to hold a minimum number of shares in the back-office firm from December 2009 to March 2009.

ref: http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Genpact_plans_to_acquire_Intelenet_Global_Services-nid-65067.html?utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Subscriber

Mahindra Satyam recalls 2000 virtual pool Staff

Mahindra Satyam recalls 2000 virtual pool Staff

Following the strong performance in the manufacturing and infrastructure sector in the last six months by Mahindra Satyam, the company plans to hire more number of employees in the running fiscal, and also recalled 2,000 virtual pool employees, reports CNBC-TV18.

Even though the company has witnessed a dip in its headcount by 43 percent since September 2008, it plans to hire up to 200 fresh graduates and 200 lateral employees in FY11. In June 2009, the company had announced a virtual pool programme (VPP) under which about 6,000 employees were sent home.

According to the sources, the top management from the company said that it was engaged in selective hiring in specialized skill sets. However, it wil give priority to the people on virtual pool.

Ref:

http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Mahindra_Satyam_recalls_2000_virtual_pool_staff_-nid-65071.html?utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Subscriber

Whirlpool to launch power products

Whirlpool to launch power products

Whirlpool of India, part of the global home appliances major, will launch accessories for appliances in the power business, where it has products like inverters. Whirlpool launched its accessories business nearly two years ago and since these are regarded as impulse buys, products are usually priced accordingly between Rs. 150-200.

So far, the company offers additives to soften hard water in the washing machine or lint removers which are rubbed over clothes, etc, with the aim of improving its positioning in that segment.

Shantanu Das Gupta, vice president, corporate affairs and strategy, Asia south, Whirlpool of India, explained that for the energy sector these accessories would be higher priced than the consumer durables they currently offer in the accessories business. He cited the example of spike busters for inverters, adding that some of these products could come in the next few weeks.

Mr Das Gupta was in Pune to kick off the national launch of a range of air conditioners which are being imported from Whirlpool’s global manufacturing site in China. He added that they will spend around Rs. 15 crore in the marketing, service and infrastructure for air conditioners.

ref:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/durables/Whirlpool-to-launch-power-products/articleshow/5478436.cms

Idea, Nokia jump on environment bandwagon

Idea, Nokia jump on environment bandwagon

The Copenhagen summit last month may have failed to persuade world leaders to come up with a global treaty to tackle climate change, but it seems to have inspired Indian advertisers and marketers to jointhe green brandwagon.

Idea Cellular’s latest campaign, ‘What an Idea Sirji—Use mobile, Save Paper’, is designed around fighting deforestation, while Nokia’s ‘Planet Ke Rakhwale’ communication propagates proper recycling of used mobile handsets.

IT companies like Cisco and IBM have already been harping on their respective positions of ‘sustainable planet’ and ‘smarter planet’ for some time now. This reflects the increasing awareness of the perils of global warming — one of the two biggest issues the world is facing along with terrorism, in the words of US president Barack Obama, and one of the most ‘searched’ terms in Google last year.

Market watchers say it is a larger global trend that is mirrored in India.

Rajan Chibba, CEO of advisory firm Intrim Business Associates, thinks it marks the start of a trend. “Green is the next big story in the corporate world and more such campaigns would not surprise many,” he says. He believes that marketers will soon realise that there are environment friendly ways to boost business and make profits. “Companies are at least beginning to talk green. Action shall follow speech.”

Idea Cellular, which launched the ‘save paper’ campaign earlier this month, will run it for another three months, according to its chief marketing officer Pradeep Srivastav.

“We keep coming up with innovative campaigns time and again and this is our latest attempt. The campaign is a simple idea that we have extended. Mobile does save paper and we have tried to convey it,” he says.

Nokia India has also come out with a TV advertisement this month for its mobile recycling campaign.

“Fundamentally we have a responsibility to be mindful of the environment in the way that we work; this is very much within our heritage as a Finnish company and our values as an organization. We also see business benefits in being environmentally responsible,” says Viral Oza, head of activation, media and online sales & marketing at Nokia India.

The company installed recycling bins at all Nokia Priority Dealers and Nokia Care Centers for consumers to drop their old handsets, batteries and chargers a year ago. The first phase of this campaign was carried out as a pilot in Delhi, Gurgaon, Ludhiana and Bangalore, with the company collecting more than three tonnes of waste in 45 days. This drive now covers 28 cities across the country.

Cisco, which highlighted carbon emission in its campaign for Telepresence video conferencing service, claims the strategy has paid off.

“The adoption rate of Telepresence by Indian corporates is high as they understand how it helps them save costs and earn carbon credits too,” says Amit Sinha Roy, VP, marketing, at Cisco India. “Planet sustainability is the underlying theme of all our Telepresence campaigns. It is part of our larger communication strategy and we hope to take this position for the long term.”

However, not everybody is convinced. Some like Santosh Desai, MD and CEO of Future Brands see the recent green campaigns as a cosmetic exercise. “I don’t think that enough serious effort is going at taking society the green way. While it is a good corporate position to take, there is a very small set of consumers who make purchase decisions based on what’s ‘green’,” he says.

“There are other marketers like ITC, which are probably doing a lot in the direction and yet not advertising it. Going green requires serious business reconfiguration, re-engineering revenue models and merely advertising does not suffice,” he adds.

Well, it’s too early to say if the trend will catch on and nobody expects marketers and advertisers to help save the planet, but definitely there is more money on marketing and advertising eco-friendly and energy-efficient products.

Ref: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/services/advertising/Idea-Nokia-jump-on-environment-bandwagon/articleshow/5502867.cms

Gurgaon will see its first Metro train today

Gurgaon will see its first Metro train today

That day is not far when Gurgaon residents can keep their cars at home and simply take a Metro to their desired destination.Delhi Metro’s first train will chug into Gurgaon as trial runs on the new line from the train depot at Sultanpur to Huda City Centre metro station begin on Friday.

The trial run is a signal that the line will be opened for the public soon, giving residents of the satellite township a reason to rejoice. ‘‘ Trial runs on the 7.05-km stretch in Gurgaon will be flagged off by Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday. This is the first step towards fullfledged Metro operations in Haryana,’’ a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) spokesperson said.

The stretch forms part of the 27-km long Central Secretariat-Gurgaon metro line, which will connect with the existing Line 2 (Central Secretariat to Jehangirpuri).DMRC plans to open the Gurgaon line in two parts - first Qutub to Huda City Centre and later the remaining portion from Central Secretariat to Qutub.

The opening of the Gurgaon portion will provide intra-city connectivity to residents of the satellite town, where people rely on private cars in the absence of any mode of public transport. Once the entire stretch is operational , Gurgaon residents will get direct connectivity to important locations in Delhi such as AIIMS, IIT, DU (North Campus ), New Delhi Railway Stations , and Kashmere Gate ISBT and besides getting indirect Metro connectivity to the Delhi railway station and other parts of Delhi and Noida.

‘‘ The travel time between Connaught Place (Rajiv Chowk) and HUDA City Centre will reduce from one-andhalf hours by road to about 50 minutes by Metro.

The total travel time from Jahangirpuri to HUDA City Centre will be approximately 90 minutes once this line is fully operational. The expected daily passenger traffic on Qutub Minar-HUDA City Centre metro corridor is 1.6 lakh commuters in 2011,’’ the spokesperson said.

The Haryana portion has been completed at a cost of Rs 688 crore, the bulk of which was provided by the Haryana government. All metro stations in Gurgaon will have parking facilities.
The AFC gates have slots where faulty tokens will be returned back to the commuters. All the metro stations have lifts and escalators on both sides for easier access and will double up as foot overbridges even for non-Metro users.

‘‘ It will be the first efficient public transport system for the Millennium city, which has nothing in the name of public transport,’’ Bhawani Shankar Tripathy, a resident of sector 23, said.

Sudhir Kapoor, secretary general of DLF City RWA said the metro will also resolve parking problems. ‘‘ Visitors from Delhi, especially those thronging the malls, will benefit as it will save them the hassle of long rides and traffic jams on MG Road,” he said.

R S Rathi, former president of DLF Qutub Enclave RWA, said: ‘‘ We hope that once the Metro line opens in Gurgaon, BPOs and other offices which provide transport facilities to their employees, will switch to the metro. This will decongest clogged roads in the city, especially during peak hours.’’

ref:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/Gurgaon-will-see-its-first-Metro-train-today-/articleshow/5511784.cms

India's first Monorail Car successfully tested

India's first Monorail Car successfully tested

The Scomi Group has announced the successful trial run of India’s first monorail car for the Mumbai Monorail project. The test run was flagged off by the Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra State, Mr. Ashok Chavan.

Commenting on the trial run of the first monorail car in Mumbai, Mr. Suhaimi Yaacob, Country President of Scomi India said, “Scomi is privileged to present the country’s first monorail car for its test run on the auspicious occasion of India’s Republic Day. It is a proud moment for all of us at Scomi as the successful trial reflects the considerable efforts made by our Mumbai and entire international team in Malaysia in making this first step an accomplishment.”

“This test run of the monorail car in Mumbai reiterates our commitment towards meeting our key milestones as per our client requirements. Additionally, it also highlights the expertise and reliability of Scomi in providing high class urban transit systems.

We are now steadily working towards facilitating the commuters of Mumbai with sustainable mobility, reduced urban congestion, improved reliability and comfortable journey through our monorail project” Said Mr. Suhaimi Yaacob, Country President of Scomi India.

Scomi Engineering Bhd (“Scomi Engineering”) and its consortium partner Larsen & Toubro (“L&T”) secured the US$ 545.02 million / RM1.846 billion Mumbai Monorail Project in November 2008. Scomi Engineering and L&T are given 30 months to complete the first Monorail project in India. For this contract, Scomi will deliver a total of 60 cars to make up 15 sets of 4 car trains.

The Mumbai monorail project which is expected to be completed by 2011 is a 20-km route between Jacob Circle and Chembur with one central depot and about 18 user-friendly and highly secured stations. Each monorail with 4 coaches will have a capacity to accommodate about 600 passengers thereby carrying nearly three hundred thousand commuters on a daily basis in the proposed route. Additionally, the Mumbai Monorail is also a green project as Scomi saves 200 tonnes of CO2 a day on the monorail. The structure doesn’t obstruct much sunlight and doesn’t trap excessive emission apart from being quieter than other modes of transportation.

Ref:http://www.constructionweekonline.in/article-5981-indias_first_monorail_car_successfully_tested/