Batch Master targets ERP for process manufacturers in India

Ahmedabad, Mar 26: US-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) major BatchMaster Software Inc has announced the commencement of its India operations with a view to capturing 15-20 per cent of the ERP market during 2005-06.

Talking to reporters about the Company's plans here on Saturday, BatchMaster India managing director Sanjay Panjwani said the ERP market is at a very nascent stage in India, as it is expected to grow from Rs 50-cr in 2003 at 25 per cent year-on-year basis to Rs 1,200-cr by 2009.

Quoting some analysts, he said, ERP market in India is likely to grow at an even faster rate to Rs 600-cr by FY 2006 itself.

''We hope to get about 30 per cent of our businss from Gujarat, it being one of the most developed states in the type of solution BatchMaster provides,'' he said.

''Our software is being used by 1,500 small and midsize process manufacturing companies in 40 countries in food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings, cosmetics and chemicals industries.'' ''We have partnership with Microsoft Business Solutions, SAP and SAGE-ACCPAC in the international market and we propose to extend the same to Indian market now,'' he said.

''Unlike discreet solutions required for automobile and capital goods, BatchMaster is basically formula-based, ingredients being added by prescribed proportions, measured in either volume or weight.'' Mr Panjwani said BatchMaster solutions could be used as standalone for process manufacturing or integrated with finance, inventory (sales and purchase), accounting and other applications.

The returns are very high, recoverable within one year, he claimed.

The Company with its headquarters at Laguna Hills in California has set up a development centre in Indore with a worksforce of 400 professionals, and it proposes to shortly open an office in Mumbai too.

UNI