Citec makes use of first-mover advantage

Citec India, the subsidiary of Finnish, ¤26-million technical documentation company (tech-writing) is gaining traction with its first-mover advantage in India.

Having started India operations in April 2004, its centre here is already 80-strong and providing back-end support to Citec's recently-opened China centre.

"The tech-writing space in India is scattered. Indian companies are fulfilling their technical documentation needs through various sources. We plan to make the most with the first-mover advantage. Our China centre opened about a couple of months ago. We do localisation as an add-on service. India will work closely with China in terms of deliveries. We will be a back-end for China," said Vijay Kumar, managing director, Citec Information India Pvt Ltd.

A core team from the company's headquarters in Finland is currently in China to recruit people and help in scaling up.

Looking at the manner in which the India centre has grown, it would hand-hold China in executing projects. In fact, the China centre, along with India, has began its first project for Nokia in China.

By 2008, Citec plans to employ 1,000 people along with a revenue of Euro 100 million. Europe and India will employ 400 people each while China is expected to be 100-strong. By then, the India centre is expected to have nearly 55-60 per cent of its total workforce.

Kumar's key priority is expanding the talent pool in India. Similar to BPO, the tech-writing industry in facing a shortage of quality man-power even before the industry can actually take shape.

"Today, India has about 600-800 good tech-writers. In order to expand the base, we have started the Citec Academy to train prospective canditates. Basic computer softskills, technical knowledge as well as good command over English language is a must for candidates. The academy has already began training and we feel it would produce about 35-40 good technical writers within this year. In the next fiscal, we plan to train over 100 people," added Kumar.

While it is true that certain large companies are setting up their own technical writing divisions, Citec feels that most companies will prefer outsourcing this job as it is a non-core activity.

"Besides, a number of product companies are coming to Bangalore and Hyderabad. Documentation can make or break a product," Vasudev Murthy, business consultant, Citech India, said.