Oracle Corporation, the world's second largest software company, is exploring the possibility of entering into joint ventures with Indian telecommunication companies to develop software applications specific to the Indian market.
The company follows a similar model in other markets like Japan and China where it has joint ventures with NTT DoCoMo and China Mobile, respectively.
The company has also identified India as one of the growth areas in the region, the other being China.
"We are open to replicate the joint venture models we have with NTT and China Mobile in India. We will take an appropriate decision at an appropriate time. We are exploring various options," Derek Williams, executive vice president, Oracle Corporation, Asia Pacific, said here.
Oracle will also work with Indian software developers to outsource software application development for specific industry verticals. "We will work with Indian companies to develop certain industry-specific applications. But we will do the core software development work ourselves," he said adding, "We do not have expertise in developing application for verticals such as banking or telecommunications. We want the partner companies to work with us to develop these specific applications".
The company's India software development operations is also starting to develop software for the domestic market. "Localisation requirement for the Indian market is done at the Indian development centre. The Indian local language compatibility of the software is done here. Increasingly, the Indian centre will concentrate on the Indian market. It at present is part of the global development initiatives," he said.
Oracle is also reviewing its sales and marketing operations in the country and is launching a new programme, called the 'M-mode'. As a part of this, the company is identifying new growth areas. "We want to focus on the growth areas, the solutions that need to be offered, and how do we capture the opportunities in the emerging areas," he said.
The company has also identified, e-governance, telecommunications, financial services and enterprise software solutions as focus areas. "Governments in the country are making substantial investments. We think that we are better equipped to tap this area," Williams said.
Oracle is expanding its presence in India with the opening of its expanded development facilities in Bangalore and the planned acquisition of more than seven acres of land in Hyderabad for expansion of its Hyderabad-based India Development Center (IDC). Oracle is today one of the largest multi-national software employers in India, with more than 2,225 professionals.
