We would like to focus on the small and medium businesses

How would you explain IBMs software strategy during
2009 in India?

Clients were a little cautious while investing during the recession. They
were looking at small projects that offer more return on investments. And, we
were the first ones to offer them tailor-made offerings and clients saw
substance in the theory.

What was the genesis of the SPS concept?

Looking at the rough weather, IBM decided to coin the concept of Smarter
Planet System (SPS) which really helped us make a difference. This concept can
be described as the one where we make the world a smart place to live in. There
are various technologies like RFID, mobile phones that give data back. Now, you
can connect instruments, and infuse intelligence. We have software that is able
to process data in a matter of hours, and it is an inexpensive process. This
smarter software also made sense to our clients.

What have been some of IBMs notable successes around SPS?

We have been associated with Incois for building a tsunami warning system.
We have partnered with companies like TCS to place sensors in places where one
would not even have imagined. Sensors have been positioned across the Indian
Ocean in such a manner that they process real-time information 24x7. If there is
a small disturbance in the wave movement or water, it transfers it to the Incois
center at Hyderabad that transmits this information to the ports across the
coast. This warning system has helped us in giving earthquake warning two to
three times.

In the same way, we have also tied up with HPCL that supplies gas cylinders.
Our RFID tags help them to track the route of the cylinders and prevent them
from being diverted, or gas stolen from them.

What are your plans for the future?

We would like to focus on the SMBs. These are businesses that typically
start small and make it big. We have identified this potential and want to give
it a boost. We are already working in this sector, and it contributes
approximately 50% in our software areas. In the future, you will see us focus on
areas outside the metros, especially this year. While referring to SMBs, I am
referring to strong emerging companies or institutions like Janata Sahakari Bank
who require our support for solutions in order to offer uninterrupted services
to their clients. Then we are also associated with companies like Bilcare that
is building RFID solutions for pharma companies.

Shilpa Shanbhag

shilpas@cybermedia.co.in