Adobe will replicate the Japan story in India

IN COVERSATION

Daniel J Brongiel managing director (APAC "� Mobile & Devices), Adobe Systems, divides his time shuttling between India and Hong Kong, where his family is stationed.

Shouldering responsibility for starting and building Adobe's mobile and device Asia Pacific operations, he discusses the company's approach here on with Business Standard

How do you intend to ride the momentum in the mobile devices segment?

We are the fourth-largest software company. We are best positioned to complement the mobile platform.

Our Platform Business unit's core responsibility is to focus on advancing Adobe's PDF (portable document format) and Flash-based technology platforms as standards for creating, managing, and delivering compelling, actionable applications and content to any desktop or device. The end result might take several years, but a beginning has been made.

Is there any peculiar trait that we need to shed off in the Indian telecom market?

I have never seen any market where voice revenues are commoditised to such an extent like the 'Life Time Calling' plans. In an immature market like India, this will only accelerate the onset of revenue decline but they have a bigger addressable market.

What operators need to do is to build their networks, get a steady subscriber base and get their act together for 3G (third generation) spectrum. Adobe is looking for partnerships with operators like Reliance, Hutch and Airtel and even the content development organisations in this regard.

Post Macromedia's acquisition, what does it essentially deliver at the consumer end?

At $3.7 billion and addition of 1500 employees, the acquisition was by far a big one for us.

Technically, it brought in the flash technology, access to a worldwide direct sales front (at Adobe, it is mostly driven by channel distribution) and accelerated Adobe's penetration in the mobile device segment where it was lagging. At last count, 77 million devices were shipped with Flash and this number will only rise.

How has the start been in India?

It's an exciting start. Adobe and Macromedia will drive the company's revenues by building on our combined heritage to redefine the way people and businesses communicate. We will continue addressing verticals with existing product lines.

How will you go about it?

In Japan today we have a business that's a little over $ 1 bn. Replicating that in countries like India, Taiwan, China and Korea ranks topmost on our mind.