Altair India to triple software team

Powerful computer software and diverse engineering techniques have always helped companies develop, evaluate and test new products on their computer screens.

This transition from physical prototypes to virtual prototypes have saved time to market and money for companies who have had to build physical prototypes.

One of the greatest beneficiary is the automobile industry. This new tool commonly known as virtual prototyping reduces the product development by almost 12 months and also eliminates about 60-80 per cent of the cost of physical prototyping. Virtual prototyping is the designing of prototypes in a computer with simulation software instead of actually making a prototype vehicle.

It is here that Altair Engineering, a US-based firm which is into product design and consulting, supplies software that allows engineers to use mathematical equations to build and test potential products before they go into the manufacturing.

The $100 million company which has a development centre in Bangalore plans to increase its headcount by 200 per cent in the next three years from present 170 to 500 as it sees greater opportunities in the automobile and aerospace sector in India.

"Although Japan continues to be the largest contributor to Asia Pacific revenues, India's contribution is not low. India with its 180 clients contributes about Rs 25 crore to the company's global topline," says Nelson Dias, managing director, South Asia.

The company is also looking forward to expand its operations in a global scale through inorganic growth. Dias added that Altair has also clients in the Indian defence sector including HAL in virtual prototyping projects.