The Hindu Business Line : Logica keen to tap Indian market

Logica already works with a few Indian clients such as RBI and Bank of Baroda. The company now hopes to enhance its India client portfolio and bring into the market its expertise in five verticals — energy and utilities; industry, distribution and transport; telecom and media; financial services; and public sector. It is especially looking to focus on emerging areas such as hydrocarbon accounting and mobile virtual network operations.

Emerging areas

Mr G.B.S. Bindra, Global Innovation Director, Logica, said, “India is getting ready for such solutions. With oil and gas being explored of late, we are looking to bring solutions such as hydrocarbon accounting to the country. In the telecom space, we are also looking to develop a virtual telecom operation platform — i.e. companies will own brands and not the network; we can provide the technical expertise.”

Logica expects the Indian government to allow MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) to operate in the Indian market soon, said Mr Bindra, at a press conference to announce Logica’s latest solution — EURIDICE, an intelligent cargo system for secure freight transportation in Europe. Work on this has begun and once completed, the solution will “enable cargo to interact with its surrounding environment and actively notify its presence and identify requirements.”

Mr Bindra said the idea was conceived and architected in its India centre in Bangalore, before being developed upon in Europe.

Headcount

Logica plans to double headcount in India by the end of 2009. Currently, its Bangalore centre employs around 3,000 people. By early August, Logica’s new facility in Chennai is expected to start operations. It will alone house around 1,500 employees, said Mr Abhay Gupte, CEO India, Logica.