The Hindu Business Line : Datacraft in talks with 2 airports for IT infrastructure

Chennai, June 26 Datacraft Asia, a $580-million Singapore-based provider of IT infrastructure and related solutions, is in talks with the New Delhi and Bangalore airport authorities to set up IP telephony-based infrastructure. The company recently completed work as a consultant with one of the airports and helped design its security and overall design layout.

Datacraft has put in place IP telephony-based IT infrastructure for the Hong Kong and Bangkok airports with the basic infrastructure cost alone amounting to about $10 million (about Rs 40 crore).

IP telephony advantage

When asked if the Indian airports were willing to spend this much, Mr Manish Sethi, Head – Solutions Line of Business, Datacraft India Ltd, said “We think so. Four years ago, when we spoke to them, they reacted very differently. With the entry of private players in the airports space, the Government is striving for the best infrastructure.”

Internet Protocol (IP) telephony enables voice communication over the Internet. Here, voice and data exist on one network and can be centrally maintained. Instead of separate, multi-line phones, beside a PC at each desk, IP telephony allows software on the PC to serve as a ‘soft’ phone. Unlike telephone hardware, this can be easily upgraded and enhanced, without work disruption, extra equipment cost or even visiting each desk for manual installation.

All end points in a particular place can be made IP-enabled and connected on to one system. For an airport, these include security cameras and their network, flight details and announcements, baggage check-in, free WiFi ports and telephone services for passengers and ground service functions of airlines.

‘Plug & play environment’

“It is a little like creating a ‘plug and play’ environment. For instance, a jeweller may want to set up a duty-free outlet. Instead of investing in a separate phone line, security provisions and PC network, he can request the airport for an extension of its existing IP network, plug his computers and start operations,” explained Mr Andrew Cocks, Director, Solutions Development Group and Alliances, Datacraft Asia.

The company also sees IP technology catching up in other sectors such as BPO and manufacturing where it can result in productivity increase.

India contributes over 20 per cent to Datacraft’s total revenues and is growing at over 30 per cent annually. The company plans to add about 250 employees this year to its existing 800 in India and 5-6 local business partners. Current partners in India include Cicso and Microsoft. It expects to total revenues to cross $650 million thereby registering a compounded annual growth rate of over 20 per cent.

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