"Optimus will remain totally focused on BFSI"

Govind Singhal, CEO of Optimus, tells us what exactly the plans are.

It is two years since Polaris Software Lab entered the BPO space by setting
up a new subsidiary, Optimus Outsourcing Company. Soon after, it acquired
Bangalore-based iBackoffice a customer interaction services company. Since then,
little has been heard of the company, as far as BPO is concerned. Is the plan on
track? bpOrbit decided to hear it from the horse's mouth.

What have been the activities following the buying of assets and complete
business of iBackoffice?

iBackoffice was bought with a view to get off the ground, have it integrated
with Optimus and realign capabilities to support the Optimus strategy going
forward. Optimus wanted to set up systems in line with their focused approach,
hence the company deliberately did not pitch in for new clients immediately
after the acquisition.

Time and efforts were invested after the acquisition on revamping the
infrastructure and process methodology, and retraining the people to fit the
service structure. Keeping in line with the service promise, the company also
scaled up its capacity and upgraded the technology and is currently
concentrating on its growth strategies.

What are the strategies streamlined by Optimus?

Optimus was born out of Polaris' strategic vision to offer clients an
integrated portfolio of technology and operations solutions. Optimus has
probably the best combination of domain expertise and delivery capabilities,
which it inherits from its parent, Polaris. Unlike other BPO service providers
who service a plethora of industry verticals, Optimus will concentrate on
servicing the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) domain alone.

The company's niche strategy was formulated on the belief that only such
focus can allow it to offer clients an unsurpassed expertise, efficiency, and
savings. Every piece in the Optimus structure is specially handpicked to suit
the needs of clients in the BFSI segment-be it people, process, or technology.

Optimus will offer clients in the BFSI segment an unmatched portfolio of
services, including transaction processing and special focus on the Indian
market, especially in the area of credit card services.

The company believes that with the available domain expertise and technology
leverage, it can effectively partner premier Indian banks in their quest for a
larger piece of the Indian credit card market.

In addition to the BPO offerings for Indian clients, the company also offers
business consultancy in setting up the cards business.

There have been doubts about the seriousness of Polaris for its BPO
business, since it has kept a very low profile....

Optimus is committed to growing into one of the country's premier BPO
companies in its chosen segment. It is an integral part of Polaris'
three-pronged-offering strategy- software applications development, intellect
suite of financial products, and business process outsourcing services.

As Optimus is entirely committed to offering its customers a totally
differentiated and value-added service, quality time has been spent in
understanding the market and its needs in totality. Also time and efforts have
been invested to get the right kind of people on board and build the delivery
capability.

At this point, a few multinational firms have requested the Optimus team to
consult for them. These businesses, which came to Optimus without active
solicitation reinforce client confidence in Optimus' business approach.

Are you looking at M&A as your growth strategy for Optimus?

Organic growth forms a key component of the Optimus growth strategy. However
Optimus is open to any good opportunities in the future, that fit its strategic
framework.

What is the existing headcount? And what are the growth targets?

There are about 114 people right now. The core management team has more than
200 person years of experience in the BFSI segment. New associates are being
included in the Optimus family in a gradual sequence.

Nisha Kurian CyberMedia