Oracle India scouts for technology partners

Oracle India, a subsidiary of Oracle Corporation, which completed the first phase of construction of its Hyderabad campus on Monday, is scouting for more technology partners in the country.

Besides, as a market for its solutions, the company sees India moving to the third position from the present fourth in the coming years. Oracle is an enterprise software company that has been operating in India for over 15 years.

Addressing the media, John Wookey, senior vice-president, applications development, Oracle Corporation, said, "We have some of the best technology partners in India and are always scouting for more. India is really strong in service applications, and we, therefore, cannot do without partnerships with Indian companies."

India is today the fourth largest market for Oracle in the Asia-Pacific region as compared to the tenth earlier.

On being asked whether India was heading towards the top position in the years to come, Keith Budge, senior vice-president (geographies), Oracle Asia Pacific, said, "India may not surpass Japan and China as these are huge markets with China's domestic software market being three times India's. But it will definitely pip Korea to reach the third position."

Krishan Dhawan, managing director, Oracle India, said, "The financial and the telecom sectors will continue to lead the growth in the Indian market. Besides, there is a lot of activity happening in the e-governance sector."

Oracle is working with Pondicherry, Gujarat and northeastern governments on this front, and has already done work with Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka governments earlier.

Regarding the company's acquisition strategy, Wookey said after the recent i-flex deal its basket is full in the banking sector, but Oracle India is always open to opportunities.

Oracle India has a 6,700-strong employee base, spread over Bangalore and Hyderabad. Earlier, while inaugurating the first phase of the campus, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said Oracle employs around 2,300 people in Hyderabad, and will be increasing the figure to the 3,000-mark soon.

According to Wookey, on the completion of the third phase, the company will be able to accommodate 3,000 people, when it will have 5 lakh sq ft of built-up space. Oracle is also consolidating its centres in Bangalore to a single facility.