25. Patni Computer Systems: E-com Is Paying Off

This
Mumbai-based company bounced back with a growth of 73%, its revenues surging from Rs 300 to Rs 519
crore. This was in sharp contrast with the previous year’s growth of 28%. Operations were ramped up in the e-commerce applications space, which contributed over 20% of the revenues, having settled at sub-4% levels last year. The embedded systems software segment didn’t really take off, contributing only Rs 8
crore.

The big money spinner continued to be maintenance, accounting for nearly 43% of the revenues. The company further reduced its exposure to the domestic segment, which contributed a mere Rs 3.1 crore against fiscal 1999-00’s Rs 4.6
crore. Over 99% of the turnover came from software exports, with the onsite-offshore ratio being 68:32. The US remained the biggest contributor, with 80% of export revenues, followed by Europe (13%). Japan made up another 5%. The company also hired 1,500 people, taking the total employee head-count up to 4,052, against 2,529 last year. Productivity, however, improved only marginally–from Rs 11.9 lakh per employee to Rs 12.8
lakh.