'Technology should benefit everybody'

Q&A: Alok Ohrie

Alok Ohrie, managing director (India) of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), a global provider of processing solutions in computing, graphics and consumer electronic markets, has been instrumental in setting up the vision and structure for the company's overall growth in India. In a conversation with K Rajani Kanth, he talks about emerging opportunities, the role of Indian research and design teams in the company's global design network and initiatives taken to address the larger challenge of energy efficiency. Excerpts:

What are the opportunities that the consumer electronics space offers for growth and what are AMD's plans to tap this potential?
The acquisition of ATI Technologies has given AMD an edge in the consumer electronics space. Within this segment, most of the growth will come from three areas "� digital TV, high-end handsets and game consoles. The smart phone and digital TV market is expected to be over $6 billion over the next four years and are critical for AMD.

With changing personal computer (PC) architecture in terms of energy efficiency computing, what are AMD's expectations from this arena?
AMD's culture and strategy are guided by a single principle "� customer-centric innovation. Enhancements to AMD64 processors beyond the 65-nanometer transition will continue to boost processor performance and lower power consumption.

How is the company planning to beat competition in the 'still under-penetrated' PC market in India?
Though the PC market is growing, still there is potential for expansion, probably closer to the levels of the mobile market. In the government space, we have been providing technology and products to various central and state departments as they have found value in adopting AMD. Experience shows that benefits of our technology have still not reached every single government department. Our motive is to make these benefits available across the country.

Is AMD in talks with any state governments?
We are in talks with the central and several state governments and the response has been very encouraging. The Karnataka government has come forward and has come up with open and fair tenders.