Tandberg ties-up with Tech Pacific
Tandberg Data Asia, a player in the optical tape storage market, has announced the appointment of Tech Pacific as its master distributor in India. The two have signed an agreement that gives Tech Pacific the master distributorship for the complete range of Tandberg Data storage solutions. The range includes SLR, DLT, Super DLT and DLT VS tape drives, autoloaders and libraries based on performance-proven linear recording technology that is one of the most reliable formats for data storage. Tandberg Data, according to company sources, is upbeat about the Indian market for storage solutions and has targeted to surpass a turnover of $4 million by 2002.

Through Tech Pacific’s channel network and a highly qualified and competent technical service support team in place, Tandberg Data expects to make a greater impact on the tape storage market in India. The company estimates the average growth rates to rise from the current 18-25 percent by 2005.

TCS nominated for Java specification requests expert group
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), recently gained the distinction of being the only Indian company to be nominated as a member for the expert working group to define the specifications for the J2ME (Java 2 Mobile Equipment) SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) standards at the JavaTM APIs for Integrated Networks (JAIN) forum. The Java Specification Requirement (JSR)-180 is to develop the session initiation protocol (SIP) and describe the Java API for call control in the telecommunications and Internet industry.

The specification lead for the expert working group is Nokia. These specifications will help to bring SIP signalling to mobile devices on a limited memory/resource platform especially targeted at the mobile phone. SIP is used to establish and manage multimedia IP sessions. This same mechanism can also be used to provide instant messaging and gaming services. The JSR-180 requests the creation of a general SIP API for J2ME based on SIP protocol defined in IETF and 3GPP and targeted to resource-constrained platform. SIP is slated to become an important protocol in the IP mobile phone environment and SIP-based applications will be essential enablers.

Cisco Systems launches Product Advisor
Cisco Systems announced the launch of an Internet-based application aimed at streamlining network design and implementation for its customers and partners. The Cisco Product Advisor is a guided-selling tool that recommends the ideal Cisco products and solutions based on the network requirements of the customer.

The Cisco Product Advisor tool is expected to be of tremendous value for customers who are not familiar with the scope and scale of Cisco’s product line. Earlier, it was necessary to sift through datasheets, the product catalogue, and other sources to try to find the product that best meets the customer’s needs. The Product Advisor is expected to ease this decision making process.

The first version of the Product Advisor will contain the entire range of Cisco’s routers and switches product categories.

Firewall appliances, wireless products, access servers, and other product categories will be included soon.

HCL Tech announces alliance with Sento
HCL Technologies has announced a strategic alliance with Sento, the US-based customer contact solution company. As a result of this alliance, both companies will be able to offer joint solutions to Global 2000 companies. The partnership, according to company sources, will pioneer the effective delivery of blended-shore contact services to joint clients, utilising Sento’s domestic workforce and HCL T’s workforce in India and Northern Ireland. As part of the agreement, HCL Technologies and Sento will pool their competencies to jointly address opportunities in the CRM solutions space.

Under the terms of this agreement, Sento will become a preferred CRM services partner for the alliance’s business, expanding its sales and marketing abilities in the United States. It will be responsible for the planning, execution and ongoing management of all identified initiatives.

Hexaware wins contract with Deutsche Leasing
Chennai-based Hexaware Technologies has signed a long-term agreement with Germany-based Deutsche Leasing, to assist in the restructuring and modernisation of its European IT operations. Hexaware will be the partner responsible for the core architecture and the development of a major part of the IT applications portfolio. The scope of the relationship includes the development of a new unified contract system and related leasing. The initial value of the contract is estimated at $21.5 million, to be completed by December 2004.