CeBIT 2007: All About Convergence

Featuring 6,100 exhibitors from 77 countries, with an overall
attendance of approximately 4,80,000 people (more than 10% increase over 2006)
and deals worth close to 11 bn this year, CeBIT retains its reputation as the
biggest and one of the most premier trade fairs for ICT. Convergence was rampant
at CeBIT 2007 as Consumer Electronics (CE) dominated with almost half the
showcasing. The Indian showcase, however, was inclined and focused on software,
BPO, telecom products and digital equipment.

Interestingly, the Indian brigade had aggressive representation
from West Bengal with the minister-in-charge, IT, Government of West Bengal, Dr
Debesh Das making his presence felt, and promoting investment opportunities in
the state.

During the India business meeting, facilitated by the German
India business center, the German counterparts too expressed interest in Indian
companies setting up their European centers in Hannover.

As per the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion
Council, India's export of electronics and IT software and services during
2005-06 touched $6.627, 25.6% of India's total electronics and IT
software/services exports to the world market.

Among the Indian companies participating at CeBIT 2007 were 01
Synergy, Angler Technologies, Anuron Hitech, Bhasinsoft India, Efftronics
Systems, Elecom Software, ESC, Excelsoft Technologies, Infocom Network—tradeindia.com,
Integra Micro Software Services, TriVium iCope Technologies, Unisoft Systems,
and Vernalis Systems in the software solutions and services and IT security
space. The telecom products were represented by Chirra Electronics Powerlabs,
Coral Telecom, Hunter Telecom India and Megatech Power Equipment and the Digital
Equipment and Systems (IT Hardware) were represented by Avon Data Cables, New
Era Exports and Su-Kam Power Systems. Among the ICT Outsourcing and Consulting (BPO)
companies exhibiting at CeBIT 2007 were Astra Infotech, Creative Web Designers,
e-Zest Solutions, Gateway Nintec, Ishir Infotech, Nous Infosystems, Paragon Web
Studios, Semaphore Infotech, Syrma Technology, WEBEL, Department of IT,
Government. of West Bengal, and Web Werks India.

The Print Conundrum

One of the keynote events to make its debut this year was the publishers'
congress Magazine Media 2.0, wherein the publishers discussed strategies for
digital brands. The debate centered around the entire revolution taking place in
the media and how online properties are coming up. The discussions also spurred
debate on whether online can adversely impact the print business. Pradeep Gupta,
chairman and MD of CyberMedia and one of the key speakers, gave an insight into
the Indian opportunity and shared his experiences on Cybermedia's successful
online initiatives like CIOL and BioSpectrum's eMagazine.

According to Pradeep Gupta, magazines are strong brands that
publishers already have and they should leverage those across all media.
"They should be treated as a brand rather than a print product. Apart from
leveraging the brand across all media and cross media strategy the other key
highlight of the discussions was technology deployments in the publishing
industry. The overall consensus was that online, is emerging strong but
ultimately there will be a balance between print, online and TV.

On the first day of the conference, most of the attendees
expressed their confidence that Web 2.0 will not swallow up magazines and their
advertising customers. On the contrary, it will open up a host of new
opportunities in the future.

Team DQ

maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in