Microsoft to strengthen pan India foothold

New Delhi, Jan 28: Microsoft Corporation India will open offices in six more cities including Chandigarh and Cochin thereby increasing its presence to thirteen cities.

The expansion strategy will include establishing a direct sales infrastructure, broadening partner eco system and market education initiatives and programmes.

With an enhanced presence Microsoft will enable the small and mid market organisations to easily access a comprehensive portfolio of its products and services, faster deployment of customised solutions and increased support from both Microsoft and its partners.

The cities where offices are in the process of being opened are Ahmedabad, Indore, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Cochin and Coimbatore.

The expansion plan is in keeping with Microsoft's vision to empower a broad section of small and mid market organisations understand better, the role which technology can play in driving growth and competitiveness, of the local industry in the local and global arena.

The direct team in each city will be supported by respective regional branches for deeper functional expertise as per Microsoft's Hub and Spoke model.

Microsoft will also forge relationships with Industry Associations in each city to understand and address local business challenges.

Microsoft India Managing Director Neelam Dhawan said, ''Small and Medium Businesses are playing a key role in driving India's growth.

We remain committed to help them utilise technology for empowering their people; address consumer needs better and streamline their businesses. Our presence in these cities will achieve this much more effectively.'' Under the geo expansion plan Microsoft will work with broad channel partners to impart information on Microsoft products and licensing to serve IT needs of the business customers in the territory. Microsoft also aims at catalysing its ISV partners to provide localised solutions for the market.

Elaborating on the geo expansion plans Mr Rajeev Mittal, Group Director, Small and Mid Market Solutions and Partner said, ''Our partners have been providing solutions and services to the customers in a lot of these cities already. We believe that being present there physically will help our partners provide better solutions, services and support and faster turnaround time. Our direct presence will also instill confidence in our existing and potential customers.'' The channel engagement will be under the Microsoft Partner Programme (MSPP) framework. Microsoft hopes to strengthen as well as invigorate its partner ecosystem in the respective areas so as to help them accelerate the pace of their delivery and thereby their success in meeting the needs of business customers in the area.

Welcoming the announcement, Mr Anil K Jain, Vice President, Corporate Business Unit, Wipro Technologies, said, ''Microsoft's geo expansion initiative to reach out to local businesses is a step in the right direction to deliver value both to customers as well as the partners in these markets. Microsoft's direct presence in non metro markets will further strengthen the partner ecosystem as well as inspire greater understanding and trust in its offerings within local business community.''

UNI