The joint offerings will include Cisco’s technologies for application networking services, data centre, security, telepresence, and unified communications combined with Wipro’s IT global service and business process models.
Wipro will offer solutions based on Cisco products and services on a global basis, with initial focus in India, Middle East, and Africa. Cisco will also become the preferred networking partner for Wipro’s portfolio of services, including outsourcing, managed-services and other solutions. Cisco and Wipro will jointly develop and deliver solutions that incorporate their networking technology and services in business processes and IT.
The companies also announced to establish the Cisco Solution Centre at the Wipro Campus in Bangalore, India, which will develop and showcase services and solutions, such as Cisco Unified Communications. The Cisco Solution Centre is scheduled to be functional in November 2007.
Currently, Cisco’s business with Wipro is valued at around $300 million. Besides Wipro, Cisco has joint development centres with Infosys, HCL Technologies, Satyam, and Zensar.
Cisco has also announced the launch of its I-Prize, a competition for entrepreneurs and innovators around the world to identify new technologies for the emerging markets. The winning team will have the opportunity to join Cisco as founders of new emerging technology business unit. Depending on the value of the idea, Cisco may also invest up to $10 million over three years to fund the new business unit. Cisco is also doubling the size of its Indian venture capital to $200 million to support innovations by Indian companies.
Wipro has enhanced its infrastructure management services with the acquisition of Infocrossing in August 2007. The company also has strengthened its managed services and networking capabilities through partnerships. It partnered with Unisys, in December 2006, to develop managed information technology services. It also partnered with Lockheed Martin to launch network centric operations centre in Gurgaon, India. Known as Ambar Jyoti, the center will develop, demonstrate, and experiment with emerging network-enabled capabilities and applications.
Source: ComputerWire daily updates
