LifeSize aims to double business

With the demand for video conference picking up pace for the last two years in the country, US-based LifeSize Communications, which provides audio ô video and connectivity solutions, plans to double its business in India by targeting various industries.

The privately-held company, which is operating in the country for close to one year, has already bagged 120 clients, including global corporations and domestic firms, with multiple installations across the country. At present, India is the third largest market for the company after Japan and China in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific region generates close to 25 per cent of the company's revenues while Europe-West Asia contributes 30 per cent. The bulk of the revenue, around 50 per cent, is generated in North America.

"All the three regions are seeing growth. But growth rate in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe-West Asia is faster. We expect more business from these regions. In India alone we intend to double our business next year," LifeSize Communications CTO Casey King said.

The company is targeting a variety of industries like ITTeS, telecom service providers, financial services, retail, education, health care, government and smaller businesses for growth.

"Video conferencing is increasingly gaining acceptance in India. Companies are conducting meetings across multiple locations using the facility. HR meetings and interviews are also being held through this. A few companies are selling their products to customers in a different time zone by conducting demonstrations online," he pointed out.

In India, IBM Global Services, Satyam Computers, Cranes Software, Blackstone, Genpact and Tata Elxsi are some of the companies which have deployed LifeSize Communication products for video conferencing.

"We expect more clients next quarter as the talks are on. We are also participating in various government tender process. We have a significant number of installations in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai," LifeSize Communications India Country Manager K Shivashankar said.

The company also operates a design centre in Bangalore, its only such centre outside the US. The company's products are designed on Texas Instruments' digital signal processing chipsets. Till last year, the company was offshoring its design work to Tata Elxsi.

"However, we felt a design centre in growing markets like India and China will benefit the company. We expect more work to flow to the Indian design centre next year," King pointed out.

The company has raised $81 million so far from Austin Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, Lehman Brothers, Redpoint Ventures, Sutter Hill Ventures and Pinnacle Ventures.