The Hindu : Business : Microsoft's new initiative in India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 15, 2005

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Microsoft's new initiative in India

Special Correspondent

Incubation of fresh ideas and technology innovation

HYDERABAD: Microsoft's next phase of growth in India is focussed on `incubation of new ideas and technology innovation, and investing in right initiatives', which would be significant in future strategic role and direction of Microsoft, says Srini Koppolu, Managing Director of Microsoft India Development Centre (MIDC).

Microsoft, which started its Indian operations with 20 people in 1998 now has its own 2.6 lakh sq. ft. development centre at Hyderabad with 500 people, with the second phase in progress over a 28 acre site. The IDC here has filed 40 patents last year and expects to file 70 this year.

"Hyderabad will be like a mirror of Microsoft Redmond. We want to build expertise in Centres of Excellence (like networking, storage and mobility) in India. Overall we want to leverage our presence in India," said Mr. Koppolu, at a press conference held at the IDC on Thursday to outline its `vision' and road ahead in India.

Servicing of operating systems is now being done completely from Hyderabad. Key development initiatives at MIDC are data protection manager, RFID Platform technologies, Office Mobile, Windows SFU and features of Longhorn, Visual studio.

MIDC was well integrated into key product families of Microsoft, with teams in Hyderabad operating as extensions to project teams in Redmond, he said.

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