Date:22/07/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/07/22/stories/2004072201780700.htm

Back Oracle to focus on e-governance space — Pilot projects not hit by change of govts

Our Correspondent

Shanghai , July 21

ORACLE sees the $7.5-billion e-governance market in India continuing to grow and plans to invest in developing the market, said Ms Adaire Fox-Martin, Senior Director, Government Education and

Healthcare, Oracle Asia-Pacific. She was speaking at Oracle Open World, the enterprise software company's annual technology and industry conference, here.

With pilot projects, engagements and talks on with all the 28 State Governments and Ministries at the Central and State level, Oracle is investing in developing the market, said Ms Fox-Martin, although no numbers were made available.

Despite change of governments in a number of States, Oracle expects continued and increasing engagements in India, according to Ms Fox-Martin.

"We are working on a large number of pilot projects and since these do not involvemuch taxpayer money, they are going ahead.''

"We are in touch with the new Governments and many have shown interest in going forward (with e-governance initiatives)", said Mr Derek Williams, Executive Vice-President.

Oracle on Wednesday announced that organisations across key industry sectors in the Asia-Pacific are adopting Oracle's integrated applications and technology solution to gain a competitive edge and address global business opportunities.

Key sectors include communications and media with customers such as Idea Cellular and Tata Teleservices in India, financial services (IDBI Bank); discrete manufacturing (Ashok Leyland, Escorts, Sona Steering, Tube Investments); process manufacturing (Hindalco, Jindal Vijaynagar Steel, Nicholas Piramal); government education and healthcare; and travel and transportation (Indian Railways).