‘The company is planning to set up 4 data centers in PPP mode with BSNL’
How do you see the company performing in FY12?
In FY11, Sai Infosystem registered revenues of ` 1,534 crore and plans to achieve ` 2,000 crore in FY12.
How is the company geared up for the future?
We are moving on the services side and will focus on verticals like tele-medicine, emergency and disaster management (natural disaster, man-made and customerdefined disasters), and tele-education through a converged device—be it a videophone, tablet, or laptop.
In FY11, revenue wise, systems integration contributed 90%, whereas services contributed 10%. In 2015, this mix is going to change with system integration contributing 60% and services contributing 40%. Internationally, the company is expanding in Sharjah, Dubai, Hong Kong, China, and the US. Globally, the company is looking at multiple strategies for marketing its products and is also open to acquisition of local brands for its go-tomarket strategy in respective countries. In the first phase, the focus is on the Middle East and Africa. Presently, international markets contribute 5%, which is planned to contribute 30% by 2015.
The company is manufacturing IT products (PC, server, networking products, and routers) and videophones and is planning to expand its portfolio. Recently, the company has signed a transfer of technology (TOT) agreement with C-DOT for GPON. Also, the company has bid for Gujarat International Finance Teccity (GIFT), a JV between the Gujarat government and IL&FS, as the lead bidder in a consortium of IBM, Huawei, and BSNL. IBM and Huawei will provide the product and expertise, whereas BSNL will provide connectivity for the project.
What are your plans for setting up a data center in PPP mode along with BSNL?
The company is planning to set up 4 data centers in PPP mode with BSNL in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ernakulam, and Kolkata. The data center will focus on government and SMB vertical and will offer hosted and cloud based services. In 3-4 weeks time, the first data center is planned to come up in Bengaluru. For the data center, BSNL will provide the infrastructure, whereas investment, technology, and sales and marketing will be done by Sai Infosystem.
How has the company performed on videophone services based on BSNL network?
In 2009-10, we realized that we need to focus on customers and for the first time launched videophones on public switching. To make India video-ready, we have invested ` 200 crore in BSNL exchanges across India. Videophone has done well in Gujarat, as we have around 25,000 customers. Also, it plans to add around a million customers in the next 2 years.
When are you planning to come up with an IPO?
Currently, it’s not the right time to unlock values. Therefore, it will be in the next 2-3 years.
pravinp@cybermedia.co.in