HAPPENINGS ABROAD
Global markets are moving towards security, total convergence, and compliance. The US, being a developed economy, is moving towards a pure triple play next generation network (NGN) scenario. Any sort of digital interaction is being integrated to a single platform, popularly known as the unified communication scenario.

Service providers play a key role in the enterprise marketplace. Most of the key networking vendors have their own services businesses. Various levels of network integration and management services are provided through this arrangement.
 

MAJOR DEALS
Tulip, one of the leading players in the data space, has bagged orders from Haryana SWAN, Maharashtra Electricity Board, Goa State Data Center, NIC, Safe Express, HDFC Bank, Airtel, and India Bulls, among others.

During the last fiscal, Wipro won comprehensive networking projects from clients like the Bharti Group, Dena Bank, HDFC Bank, Federal Bank, and Hyundai. Wipro Infotech also acquired 3D Networks and Planet PSG, which has a strong presence in business communications, convergence and voice integration. This acquisition enhances its technology capabilities and gives it a structural advantage in the rapidly evolving unified communications and messaging segment.

Besides opening a new facility in Gurgaon dedicated to network integration, Targus Technologies has opened three more fully functional sales, services and technical design offices in Pune, Gurgaon and Mumbai. It has bagged clients such as Nokia, Bharti Airtel, EXL Services, C-DOT, Dabur, HFCL and Genpact.

Datacraft India has networked more than 10,000 branches of the State Bank Group. This networking project is one of the largest of its kind in terms of technological complexity, geographical reach and benefits. All associate banks and the bank's Kerala and Bangalore circles have been fully networked. This enables the bank to render quality services to more than 100 million customers. The SBI Connect project, which commenced in June 2002, has been executed in three phases. The project provides seamless connectivity for SBI and its associate banks using leased lines, ISDN and PSTN links, which are managed solely by Datacraft. Adequate security measures have been implemented to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.

Datacraft has also secured a US$2.6 mn contract for 3 years from a Fortune 500 global IT services company to provide uptime maintenance services for its clients' networks in 10 Asian markets. Datacraft has also been selected as the company's sole partner to supply Cisco networking equipment required for new infrastructures or to refresh older technology currently used by the company's outsourced clients.

FORECAST
The Government of India will be the largest enabler of IT coverage in the country. Companies with existing infrastructures will look forward to reviewing and streamlining them in accordance with requirements. Converged IP communications will continue to gain force as a unified platform on a triple play format. WiMax implementations and their benefits will gain significance later in the year, once the authorities have resolved the spectrum–related licensing issues. Pricing pressures may continue, as the profitability per port has certainly reduced during 2006-07. However, the outlook is very positive for further growth and expansion in the market.

Baburajan K
baburajank@cybermedia.co.in

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