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India is the hotbed for innovations

In 1998, when technology giant Cisco started its operations in India, it had on its hand a team of just 10 engineers, but today India is Cisco?s testbed for emerging markets with over 10,000 employees spread across three centres of excellence.

In 1998, when technology giant Cisco started its operations in India, it had on its hand a team of just 10 engineers, but today India is Cisco?s testbed for emerging markets with over 10,000 employees spread across three centres of excellence. Over the years, the top bosses have come to see India as a worthy investment destination, considering its strength in innovation and its strong talent pool. The Globalisation Centre East (GCE) in Bangalore, its second-largest unit outside the US, has been instrumental behind 650 filed patents, of which 370 have been issued. Faiyaz Shahpurwala, India Site Leader, Cisco, tells Debojyoti Ghosh that the company?s hiring plans are on track, and that it will focus on creating new business models for India and global markets. Excerpts:

In 2006, Cisco established the Globalisation Centre East in Bangalore aiming at growth, innovation and talent. In the current global map of the company, where does it fit?

Globalisation represents a fundamental shift in how individuals, businesses, geographic regions, and countries perceive their abilities to create jobs, stimulate investment, enhance citizens? well being, and participate in the global economy. The Globalisation Centre East was established as a second headquarters for Cisco with a view to globalise talent, innovation and growth. With this globalisation progressing steadily, the facility has enabled us to effectively address opportunities outside of the country that would otherwise be difficult.

This Centre is a symbol of innovation, business and growth besides research and development (R&D). Since the globalisation strategy represents a shift in focus from a geographical position to business management, the skill sets and talent from an emerging nation like India has been contributing to the ability of companies to collaborate across borders and cultures and offer service to customers regardless of location. The GCE is a second Cisco headquarters both from an R&D and a services points of view. The company?s GCE?s globalisation strategy is aligned to top 5 corporate priorities: routing, switching, and services, collaboration, data centre virtualisation and cloud, video and architectures for business transformation.

When you say India is Cisco?s innovation hub, what does it imply?

Cisco in India started with 10 engineers in 1998, but today it is an innovation hub for emerging markets like Indonesia, China, and the Middle East where urbanisation is high on the agenda. The GCE is a centre for engineering, services and IT and what we call Smart+Connected Communities; more specifically, the future of work, healthcare etc will be connected. It?s not just for Indian market, the company is setting global standards and public-private partnerships with a strong leadership ahead. We have built three centres of excellence and a strong IT team that serves worldwide.

Over the years the GCE has witnessed 650 filed patents, of which 370 have been issued. We have several 100 employee ideas submitted and dozens under incubation. We have innovations across all our technologies and a business unit based out of here with end to end responsibility. In the engineering segment, PURA is a product developed completely out of India including product conception, system architecture, software and hardware implementation, manufacturing and product marketing. This product has been well received by several customers, and there is a high level of interest amongst potential customers.

Competitive challenges will continue to drive product, service, supply chain, deployment, and testing innovation. Cisco is working to innovate its products and solutions for local markets and mature economies for future competitive advantage.

In terms of revenue generation, how crucial are the Indian products for Cisco globally?

Recently John Chambers said that India is the second biggest R&D centre for Cisco globally. And we are also bringing in sales, business development and manufacturing. The company?s Emerging Solutions Group is based on identifying market making opportunities and the creation of new industries.

The new businesses identified are based on technology solutions like the Smart+Connected communities, service provider and inclusive growth. The conception and expansion of these solutions are done at the GCE in Bangalore. This campus is a catalyst for international businesses in the APAC region as customers from Brazil, Africa and the Middle East visit the centre. The establishment of the centre was to ensure the globalisation process grows into the emerging economies.

Cisco?s smart+connected communities business model was conceptualised in India using network as a platform to transform physical communities to connected communities. This business unit has been taken worldwide to nations like South Korea, Canada and Spain.

Could you share the company?s plan for India?

Currently, Cisco in India has an employee base of about10,000 and has hiring plans on track both among freshers and lateral. The company?s growth plans will focus on the creation of new business models for India and global partnerships, which include government, healthcare, and education. Cisco India is currently working on a five year contract with real estate company Mantri Developers as their technology master planner, for all their residential, commercial and business projects. We are also working on the upcoming Delhi Mumbai industrial corridor, a $9 billion project, for 2 cities.

Cisco would also look at partnering with various Indian companies and state governments to provide remote healthcare and education facilities as part of its inclusive growth business unit.

In the current global environment, how do you see businesses in the domestic market?

Geographically, it is a central zone that is conveniently located from most commercially-important capitals, the world over with a travel time advantage. Technology solutions like conference-calling and tele presence have facilitated firm global connectivity. India also has a strong potential market for connected services. According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the total telephone subscribers have risen from 861.48 million in 2011 to 943.49 million in February 2012. With the knowledge space being exceedingly vibrant in terms of innovation, India is a hotbed for businesses.

As an emerging market, India?s economy is growing at a steady pace creating grounds for future growth. An advantage of such a market is its mix of both rural and urban populations.

The target for Cisco?s inclusive growth business model is primarily the rural population who lack the access to basic urban amenities like healthcare, education and market place. The health presence and remote supplementary education models can provide with assistance while the same offers a market platform.

The urban population is the target audience for products like smart homes and smart workplaces. The requirements of both vary by degree but offers a suitable market for Cisco.

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First published on: 21-05-2012 at 00:26 IST
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