Date:19/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/04/19/stories/2006041904110400.htm

Back MS displays India-specific solutions

Our Bureau

CUSTOMISED FOR INDIA: A man dressed as a sadhu uses a computer at an exhibition by Microsoft, showcasing the `Ardhakumbh' theme, in the Capital on Tuesday. — S. Subramanium

New Delhi , April 18

Software giant Microsoft said on Tuesday that it would launch the latest version of its Office software suite by the end of the year and the company's India development centre has made a significant contribution to it.

"India development team has played a key role in developing Office 2007. It has designed tools that support unified communication, pocket applications for mobile usage and has worked on many other functionalities," Mr Jeff Raikes, President, Microsoft Business Division, Microsoft Corporation said. Microsoft has 1,100 people at its India development centre.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Corporation also previewed the 2007 Microsoft Office version, which is currently in beta phase. Mr Raikes also inaugurated a Microsoft Office solutions showcase featuring 18 information worker productivity solutions developed by its local Independent Software Vendors (ISV) partners for the Indian market.

Based on the theme `Innovating for and with India', these ISVs demonstrated their applications in areas such as e-governance, education and defence, in addition to specific vertical solutions for the banking, publishing and retail sectors.

The event also featured applications for everyday users such as a financial solution and Office Student & Teacher Edition.

The applications on exhibit included the e-gram application by the Department of Panchayat, the National Manuscript Project by National Informatics Centrer (NIC) etc.