SupportSoft to ramp up India operations

With broadband penetration expected to rise phenomenally in India and China over the next few years, US-based SupportSoft, specialising in real-time service management and support automation software, plans to make its Bangalore office the hub for the Asian region.

SupportSoft, which operates in Bangalore with a 100 member team, including R&D, sales and services, expects its headcount to increase by 50 per cent in India during the 2007 calendar year.

"This is the fastest growing centre of the company. We expect it to grow quicker from the revenue perspective. We want Bangalore to be the hub of our operations for the Asian region," SupportSoft president and CEO Joshua Pickus told Business Standard.

The company has a worldwide staff strength of 312 with development centres in Canada and the US apart from Bangalore. "At present, one-third of our company is located in Bangalore. In the coming years, we expect half of our business to move to Asia with Bangalore as the centre," he pointed out.

SupportSoft products enable broadband to become easily accessible to markets. It offers similar products and services for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV).

However, its products for the broadband service constitutes bulk of the business (about 80 per cent). The company expects this particular product range to drive its business in Asia.

"India and China are the fastest growing economies. More people are opting for broadband connections. China is faster than India in this segment (broadband penetration). I expect India to pick pace gradually. We are assisting the internet service providers (ISPs) in tapping the unserved population in the two countries," Pickus stated.

While the US markets account for 50 per cent of SupportSoft's revenues, Asia's contribution is 10 per cent. According to Pickus, the Asian markets will grow rapidly with wealth creation and high disposable incomes becoming the trend.

"All these days, technically savvy people opted for broadband internet connection. Now, a wide range of population is also seeking broadband connection. We assist ISPs in ensuring that this category of customers have access to internet easily. Recently, we signed a deal with Bharti Broadband for such a service. Talks are on with other Indian ISPs also," he said.

From the R&D perspective, SupportSoft India has made significant contribution. It has released four products and deployed over 25 solutions for customers worldwide.

SupportSoft registered $45 million revenue in 2006 and has projected a 25 per cent growth in 2007 ($56 million).