The German firm, which competes with U.S.-based Oracle in selling software that helps companies manage manufacturing processes, human resources and finance, has a roster of high and mighty clients in India and also runs a high-tech develop ment centre in Bangalore's Whitefield suburb. The company has more than 1,000 clients in the country and aims to raise its customer-base to 15,000 by 2010.

SAP said it will increase the headcount in India from the existing 2,750 to 3,500 employees by the end of 2006 and double it further over the the next five years.

“India continues to grow in its importance to SAP globally and is one of the most impor tant market for us,” SAP Chief Executive Henning Kagermann told a news conference in New Delhi. In the immediate run, the company has earmarked $38.4 million to beef up the research and development facilities. By the end of 2006, India is expected to account for 20 per cent of the firm’s global research and product development. The Indian operations will also account for 20 per cent of the services and support business.

India has also been elevated to a strategic hub in the Asia-Pacific region, putting the country at the same level as the company’s other strategic hubs worldwide.

Furthermore, buoyed by the success of its NetWeaver Center of Excellence, SAP has embarked on setting up new Centers of Excellence (CoEs) that will cater to unique emerging customer requirements in India.

Until now, SAP has invested $500 million in the Indian market. The company that has already built phase-I and II of SAP Labs India campus, has also set up an office in Gurgaon.

Source: by hindustan times