Date:12/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/12/stories/2008081255051600.htm

Business

‘Industry vertical products will do better’

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Information technology companies with products designed with industry verticals in mind rather than the size of client enterprises, may do better today, according to Harry Debes, Chief Executive Officer of Lawson Software. The U.S. company, with global customers in manufacturing, distribution, maintenance and services sectors, reported 2007-08 revenues of $854 million, up by 14 per cent over the previous year.

“Three-fourths of our customers are small and mid-sized businesses. These enterprises look for lower cost of ownership, get higher return on investment and come as complete suites with no add-on expenses,” Mr. Debes said. Besides manufacturing, healthcare, food and beverages and public sector organisations are potential customers in India, he said.

Lawson has opened an office in Delhi and estimates India to push consolidated growth of the company by double digits in the next two to three years, Kamal Sharma, Regional Head for India and South Asia, said.