Despite challenges, Indian IT companies are on the right side of history: Nadella
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella sees enormous opportunities for India’s software companies.
In India for a series of meetings across Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai, Nadella thinks India’s IT sector is well positioned with generous prospects for both startups such as Flipkart, as well as established companies that have been providing software services to global clients.
A day after Microsoft signed an agreement with e-commerce company Flipkart whereby the latter will use Microsoft cloud computing platform, Nadella is clearly a man in a hurry, rushing through back-to-back meetings. On Tuesday, he discussed how Microsoft can work with the government for better opportunities in areas, including rural health and employment, with communications and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
At the core of Nadella’s meetings has been the company’s cloud platform — the one in which it posted a 93% growth in the last quarter (October-December), compared to a year ago. Besides Flipkart, the company is set to add State Bank of India to its customer list for enterprise cloud services in the country.
In addition, 18 years after it set up a development centre in India, Microsoft is now ready to roll out India-focussedproductsincorporating local features and solutions. On the cards is a modification to its popular video and calling application Skype, wherein the user’s Aadhaar authentication will be built into the system, which will allow him or her to use it for public services.
The Microsoft boss is convinced that despite the current challenges they face at home and abroad, Indian IT companies are on the right side of history.