With an investment of approximately $30-40 million over the next two years, the center would initially employ 300 people by this year-end. Excerpts of a conversation with Sathya Mitra of Cyber News Service: 

l What does "beginning of the end of middleware" imply?
This is one of the biggest goals of PeopleSoft. We are looking to do away with a major chunk of middleware connecting applications from different vendors. Application companies like us act like we are still in the Cold War era. PeopleSoft aims at changing this scenario by establishing a close link with the competition and creating not only software standards but also consolidating existing enterprise applications. This thought becomes comprehensive when one understands that cut-throat competition has already ensured very few players out there who produce standard software that holds credibility among customers. It is with such corporate that PeopleSoft will form bonds and consequently decrease the role played by middleware to a huge extent.

l On the TOE initiative...
There are three main components to TOE, all of which look at making the entire process of software installation, configuration and integration a less cumbersome and more affordable prospect. The first one looks at decreasing the implementation time for any software package. The second one is about maintaining the ERP applications. The third component would be Relevant Navigation, an assurance of increased usability, wherein when information is sought from one application, the software is intelligent and integrated enough to derive pertinent data from other applications too. It’s a matter of evolution, of becoming better and consequently improving the customer’s experience with the software.

l Tell us about AppConnect...
Today’s customer is interested in two things – cutting cost and getting better RoI. However, most customers do not get all of their software needs from one vendor alone. By joining forces with one another and making applications that can integrate with one another, we are just ensuring that the customer can choose the best in each segment without worrying about spending on integrating or changing the entire process chain. AppConnect will help achieve that co-ordination.

l Can initiatives like AppConnect replace middleware in the long run?
TOE has been launched because we believe that the future will be driven not by additional features but by smarter applications that work with each other better. PeopleSoft has enough faith in the concept to invest millions of dollars in its development.

This is not the first time people are scoffing at our ideas. So don’t take the cynics too seriously.

l What work will the development center in Bangalore offer?
The center will offer remote configuration capabilities while driving down the cost and time required for implementations and upgrades. As a result, customers can implement PeopleSoft software faster and at a reduced cost. The facility is being set up in partnership with Hexaware and will be operational from June 2003.

l Whyhave you chosen a partner , when most MNCs are setting up individual development centers?
People in the past have come to India and badly burnt their fingers trying to set up a center here. Hexaware fits in right there – they have the local knowledge and expertise. We’ll give them the specs and they will do the job- from hiring people to setting up the office.

Sathya Mitra
CNS