VARINDIA IT MAGAZINE

MAIT has partnered with Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals (DGS&D) to facilitate training of its member-companies on Government e-Marketplace (GeM). DGS&D is the organization responsible for approving rate contracts at which government entities may make purchases from private organizations. Going forward, the portal GeM.Gov.in  has been created for completing transactions online. In this context, it is for the first time that the Government of India is training industry on usage of the online GeM e-procurement platform. With the launch of GeM, a new era of public procurement has been ushered in the country.... Read More

IT hardware industry body, MAIT has organized a round table with JS Deepak, the new Secretary, Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DeiTY).  This was the first exclusive interaction of the Secretary with the hardware industry association.  The interaction was aimed to push manufacturing in the ICT hardware sector and speedy implementation of Digital India. Debjani Ghosh, President, MAIT, presented the industry outlook and shared the recommendations to boost ICT sector. She reiterated MAIT’s contribution over the last several years on various fronts including ICT manufacturing, Standards & Compliance, SME Development in Hardware, Digital India Action Group. She also emphasized one of MAIT’s focus, increasing of domestic IT consumption with an eye on rural... Read more

In association with the Telangana Government, MAIT has announced the hosting of IT Asia 2015 in Hyderabad from 25th to 27th September, 2015 at the Hitex Exhibition Centre. IT Asia 2015 is one of the India’s leading platforms, providing end-to-end solutions to the technology fraternity and one-to-one interaction opportunities with the key business associates. Here is a resolute exhibition showcasing brand new innovations and technologies to help electronics and ICT community link and network along with. It will offer plenty of networking, sales and marketing opportunities for the domestic and international ICT players and the investor community,  ... Read more

MAIT, in association with TAIT, has organized the “National Conclave on IT & Electronics Manufacturing in India” which focussed on encouraging entrepreneurship within the ICT industry  to boost local manufacturing in India with an aim to make “Make In India” dream a reality. Shri Subhash Rajaram Desai, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister of Industries, Maharashtra Government, was the guest of honour at the event with dignitaries from the Central Government and State Government of Maharashtra, CEOs of IT companies and Leadership Team of MAIT. The conclave was themed at “IT & Electronics Manufacturing in India – Opportunity for IT Channel Partners, System Integrators and SMEs” that included the panel discussion on Government Schemes and Policies, Challenges faced by the IT manufacturers and opportunities to manufacture IT products in India. It opened with a welcome address by K. R. Chaube, President, TAIT, followed by the Presidential Address by Amar Babu, President, MAIT. Hon’bl...

To provide ideas for enriching and accelerating the rollout of Digital India Programme across the Country, MAIT has launched the Digital India Action Group (DIAG). DIAG will strive to ensure the success of the Digital India Programme by providing strategic inputs to various Committees and Teams that would be constituted under the aegis of the PMO, DeitY and other Government Departments and Ministries. Debjani Ghosh, Vice-President, MAIT, said, “Technology has the potential to connect the whole of India and benefit each and every citizen. Digital India should enable the percolation of technology to the people and each citizen should be able to access government services with ease.” She further said that MAIT is best suited to support and complement the efforts of the Government in implementing Digital India as it has a vast knowledge base from across the IT ecosystem, which can prove to be a game-changer for this ambitious programme. Ajai Chowdhry, Founder, HCL, said that Digit...

Aiming to promote local manufacturing, SME Chapter of MAIT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency (BIIPA) last week in Bengaluru. The MoU aims to bring together Indian and Korean SMEs to uphold local manufacturing by regular exchange of information on technology know-how, software development, talent exchange with a strong focus on industrial development in both the countries. The MoU was signed by Rahul Gupta, Chairman, SME Chapter of MAIT, and Seo Tae Geon, CEO, Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency, in the presence of SMEs from MAIT and Korea. The event was attended by nine Korean SMEs, covering the entire spectrum of the IT industry from marine electronics to video translation and global promotion on internet services. This MoU has imparted further forward momentum to encourage local manufacturing of products in India and set agendas for regular engagement by expanding the scope of doing business on mutually agreed terms. R...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   MAIT - KPMG has reportedly released a report titled -"Indian Marketplace - IT the Unrealized Potential".  The report suggests that the Indian IT hardware industry can look forward to making a substantial impact by taking some of the steps such as bringing down the hardware cost by 43% with the help of the Government subsidies, reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a PC and broadband solution (currently estimated to be ~INR15,650 per annum), providing income tax exemption to individuals against PC purchase, and promote purchase of PCs amongst specific segments like students and less than INR5-lakh income households, among other steps.   The report estimates that in FY 2014-18, there could be an increase in sales of desktops and notebooks from 6 per cent to 18 per cent CAGR contributing additional GDP of INR66,300 crore, taxes of INR25,000 crore and generate new employment for 1,11,600 people. However, if...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   There is a sigh of relief for those electronic companies who have not got the BIS certification for their products yet. As per the latest information, the Indian Government has decided to extend the deadline for mandatory registration of all the products they sell. Earlier, companies were given a deadline till 3rd October to get their products (including videogames, microwave ovens, laptops, tablet computers, projectors, servers and LCD televisions) certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) , a compulsory requirement for the sale of such products in India. The crucial decision was taken at a meeting between  Kapil Sibal, the Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology (IT) , and the representatives of the industry along with some other trade lobby groups. It is worth noticing here that the Government has already extended the deadline twice because of absence of enough labs where the products...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   The Government of India is planning to take a control over the dumping of IT products in the Indian industry, as day by day India is becoming the dumping yard for electronic products. As a result of this, from July 3 onwards, IT products in India will also carry Indian Standard (IS) certification from the  Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) . India is also planning to ban all electronic products from India that do not carry BIS mark. The Indian Government has informed that it will not make any relaxation in this rule. 15 categories of products will fall under the registration process started by the Government. Therefore, these products need to be registered under BIS. According to  J. V. Ramamurthy, President, MAIT , said, “More than 1,400 products have been given for getting BIS certification. However, we received only one product with this certification. The Government has assigned only 9 labs to dot the tests. The...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   J. V. Ramamurthy, President, HCL Infosystems Ltd., has taken over as the new President of  MAIT .  Announcing the President for 2012-13, Dr Alok Bharadwaj, President, MAIT (for 2011-12), said, “We are pleased to have J. V. Ramamurthy on board as the President of MAIT. An industry veteran, with in-depth exposure to various aspects of the IT industry, he is immensely respected in the industry for his incisive vision and astute knowledge.... See More

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   R.K. Amar Babu, Managing Director, Lenovo India, has, been appointed as the new VP of  MAIT . Amar Babu takes over from J. V. Ramamurthy (V.P. MAIT & President & COO-HCL INFOSYSTEMS LTD) who has relinquished the position to focus on his appointment as the new President for MAIT.  Amar has been instrumental in driving Lenovo’s India business and taking it to great heights – today, not only is Lenovo the fastest growing PC maker in India, but also at the #1 position, with a 17.1% market share..... See More

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   MAIT has announced the appointment of Anwar Shirpurwala as its new Executive Director with effect from 16th October, 2012. The announcement was made by  Dr Alok Bharadwaj , President,  MAIT .    Anwar has taken over from Sabyasachi Patra, who has resigned from MAIT to pursue his passion of wildlife filming and Conservation issues full time.  Anwar comes with a diverse experience of 15 years in IT Training, Sales & Marketing, Retail and Government Affairs.... See More

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   The Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology (MAIT) has conducted  a Seminar on Green IT Best Practices in association with HIDA (Human Resources and Industry Development Association) of Japan, GIPC (Green IT Promotion Council), METI (Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry) and PCRA in Delhi. MAIT has entered into a MoU with HIDA and GIPC to spread the best green IT practices in the country. Dr. Ajay Mathur, Former Director General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency delivered the Inaugural Address... more for More Details See www.varindia.com

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   The Manufacturers’ Association for IT (MAIT) has urged the Ministry of Environment & Forests to address the hindrances in the successful implementation of e-waste management rules.  MAIT had welcomed the announcement of the e-waste rules notified in 2011 and which came into effect in May 2012. The notification aims at the safe handling and disposal of the growing volumes of e-waste in the country.  MAIT, in a collaborative approach with the industry, has suggested some measures which were aimed at simplifying procedures, thereby increasing levels of compliance. The ministry had accepted MAIT’s suggestions in principle during the consultative meetings, but no actions have been taken so far. Alok Bharadwaj, President, MAIT, said, “The industry had extended all support to the Government to ensure the successful implementation of the rules. However, it is unfortunate that the apprehensions voiced by MAIT when the Ru...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE   The Manufacturers’ Association of Information Technology (MAIT) has urged the Ministry of Finance, Ministries of Commerce & Industry and Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to address the critical challenges being faced by the Indian IT hardware industry due to the existing foreign exchange volatility. MAIT pointed out that the IT hardware industry has already proven to be the backbone of the nation’s growth as it is a critical enabler in enhancing inclusion, reach, productivity and speed in all kinds of economic activities. It is particularly most relevant to all Government projects and programmes like those of Education, e-Governance, Healthcare, Financial Inclusion, etc. as more and more use of technology is being adopted. Every nation considers IT as integral to their success which has made this industry worldwide as one of the fastest-growing in the world. World Bank’s reports state that 10% increase in com...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE Alok Bharadwaj, Senior Vice President of Canon India and President MAIT (Manufacturer's Association of IT Industry), has been ranked # 45 on VentureOutsource.com's top 100 influencers in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS ) industry. The list recognizes service providers, entrepreneurs, executives, politicians, investors and others who are in some way influencing the electronics manufacturing services industry. Other leaders who made it on the list include: Barack Obama, President, USA; Michael Dell, CEO, Dell; Tim Cook, CEO, Apple, John Chambers of Cisco, Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce and Industry, India, and Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil. The portal VentureOutsource.com says about Bharadwaj, "If EMS in India is to get more attention, we feel Bharadwaj is just the person who can get all parties working together and accomplish this" Talking to VARIndia, Bharadwaj said, "I feel humbled that such a re...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE MAIT has emphasized upon the need for a stable policy regime and growth-oriented measures to boost IT hardware industry in the country. The MAIT memorandum includes 7 vital recommendations for Union Budget 2012-13. MAIT also announced new initiatives as an expansion of its charter and goals for 2012. Dr. Alok Bharadwaj, President, MAIT, said, "With lower-than-expected consumption of IT products in the financial year 2011-12 owing to the Thailand flood and Rupee devaluation, we are now hoping for a long-term growth-oriented and investment-friendly policies to provide much-needed drivers. In India's economic transformation, IT is a big enabler. MAIT members have repeatedly emphasized that a long-term, holistic fiscal policy framework is the need of the hour to encourage manufacturing and a much-needed investment fillip to the IT industry in India". Sabyasachi Patra, Executive Director, MAIT, said, "While striving to remove ...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE MAIT has announced the opening of its Eastern region office to strengthen its reach and help industry to develop a global competitive Indian IT Industry to promote the usage of IT in Eastern India. The initiative is believed to help MAIT to further strengthen the role of IT in national economic development by bringing the focus in eastern region. MAIT East office was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Mamata Banerjee, Hon'ble Chief Minister, and Govt. of West Bengal at Milan Mela Exhibition Complex and was received by MAIT President Dr. Alok Bharadwaj. MAIT has its presence in all the parts of the country except eastern region, but this initiative aims to reach out to stakeholders of bigger IT ecosystem in east create a wider awareness & engagement. Dr. Alok Bharadwaj, President, MAIT said, "Our vision is to take IT to remotest part of the country and expand its use and deployment. India has Rs 70,000 Cr of IT hardware industry and east...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology (MAIT) has announced that Sabyasachi Patra will take over as its new Executive Director with immediate effect. Sabyasachi succeeds Ashwini Aggarwal to the top post at the apex body representing the interest of IT hardware industry in India. Sabyasachi has a rich and diverse experience across sectors, including Telecom, Auto and Utilities, having held leadership positions in various organizations, Nokia India, Confederation of Indian Industry, PricewaterhouseCoopers India and Tata Motors. He did his MBA from the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, after earning a Bachelor of Engineering (Metallurgy) degree from the National Institute of Technology in Rourkela. Of Sabyasachi, Dr Alok Bharadwaj, President, MAIT, said: "The wide experience that Sabyasachi has is an addition to MAIT in enhancing its abilities to meet the growing challenges being faced by the IT Hardware indus...

VARINDIA- INDIA'S FRONTLINE IT MAGAZINE MAIT has appointed Dr. Alok Bharadwaj, Senior Vice-President at Canon India Pvt. Ltd. as its President and Mr. J V Ramamurthy, President and COO, HCL Infosystems Ltd as its Vice-President for the term 2011-12. The announcements were made at MAIT's 28th Annual Session held at New Delhi. Dr. Alok Bharadwaj said, "It's always an honour to be leading MAIT. While the current times are quite challenging as growth in IT industry is slowing down, all fundamental & long term demand drivers for the economy are building enormous opportunities for IT industry. As a larger picture, While India has dominant presence in software and IT services sector, it is yet to build globally competitive IT & electronics systems design and manufacturing capabilities. The objective of both the Industry and the Govt. is to commence major transformation for India in the next 5-10 years in a 3 dimensional IT thrust. Firstly, by integrating IT in most of...