Wipro Infotech

The

role of IP in telephony means a new kind of customer for

enterprise-oriented network integrators like Wipro. With IP at

the core, the much-touted next generation telecom network, will

need the Cisco and Nortel boxes to be installed there as well.

However, not only will the routers and WAN switches be in demand

here, but also fibre optic equipment like Wavelength Division

Multiplexing (WDM). Now the question being asked is do network

integrators like Wipro have enough expertise in these cutting

edge technologies or for that matter the finances to carry out

these huge telecom roll-outs?

Wipro's answer is in the

affirmative. Over the years, Wipro has built its expertise

around evolving technology areas. In the convergence era, Wipro

has realized the urgent need to acquire domain knowledge of

technologies as well as vertical segments. And as far as finance

is concerned, is there a doubt over the richest Indian company?

Wipro's Computers &

Systems Integration (C&SI) division has already engineered

its end-to-end deployment solutions around the two most

important segments–enterprise and the service provider. And

already the result is there. In 1999-00, the company's

integration business grew by 54.2 percent to a total revenue of

Rs 128.13 crore.

Wipro makes its move from

both the software as well as the hardware side. Its strength as

distributor gets complemented by the software expertise and vice

versa. In other words it can handle an end-to-end solution

inclusive of the software integration effectively. Its reach

across the country for multiple installation is unparalleled by

any other integrator. Region-wise, West accounted for 45.74

percent of its NI business, South 35.04 percent, North 14.43

percent, and the rest came from East.

Wipro is looking out

towards global markets in the current year and quality

certification and domain expertise in technology and vertical

segments is necessary for that. In December last, it got the ISO

9001 certification for the C&SI division. It also plans to

set up an ISP/network competency centre soon.

Among the vertical

segments, banking and finance segment was the biggest cash

earner, contributing 31 percent of its NI business. The

telecom/service providers' market yielded 17 percent, IT

sector 24 percent, while manufacturing contributed 14 percent.

On the domain knowledge front, Wipro plans

to be in both the core of the new communication networks and in

the last mile access infrastructure. It will also add on its SI

skills in implementing applications such as billing, security,

and management and value-added services like VoIP, FoIP, and WAP.

And, of course, LAN and WAN integration which undoubtedly is

familiar territory. A strong player in the enterprise and ISP

scenario, and also a major contender in the telecom backbone

networks! That is what Wipro is setting its eyes on.

Wipro has

realized the urgent need to acquire domain knowledge of

technologies and vertical segments.