The Hindu Business Line : Juniper, Isilica in pact to groom IP experts

WITH the demand for IP (Internet Protocol)-based technology experts set to grow by the day across the globe, Juniper Networks Inc, a network solutions provider, has drawn up plans to establish several Juniper training centres in the country and announced first such centre in tie-up with Isilica Networks Ltd.

This authorised training centre is aimed at producing experts in routing platforms and network security areas.

The demand for such expertise is set to grow and there is demand-supply mismatch for professionals with such an expertise.

Juniper has tied up with Isilica Networks to locate its first centre in Hyderabad.

The second centre would be commissioned by the latter in about six weeks in Mumbai.

Isilica is planning to establish more centres beginning with New Delhi and Bangalore.

Speaking to newspersons, Mr Paul McNulty, Director of Customer Services, Asia Pacific, Juniper Networks and Mr Java Giridhar, Country Manager, India and SAARC, Juniper, said, "The subcontinent's rapidly growing networking industry and our own expanding presence in the Indian market is fuelling demand for quality training."

He added: "Today's announcement with Isilica underscores our commitment to meeting this requirement since Asia Pacific and particularly India offers growing business opportunity."

The Chief Executive Officer of Isilica Networks, Mr Sriram Syamala, who was earlier with Cisco, and later went on to start Isilica, said: "There is growing demand for education in IP infrastructure in India, as businesses here became aware of the importance of high-performance networks. We are exploring the possibility of expanding to others centres in the country."

As a networking solutions provider, Juniper has rapidly grown in the Indian subcontinent both by itself providing solutions for the leading telecom carriers and has further consolidated its position with the acquisition of network security provider NetScreen.

It is in the process of expanding its Indian R&D operations, Mr Giridhar said.