MUMBAI, INDIA: For IT businesses, most part of the year 2008 and 2009 hasn't been so great that none of the businesses would like to remember this period ever again in the future.

Even for the Mumbai-based Paramatrix Technologies Pvt. Ltd., these past years were no different, except that the company utilized the tough time in innovating and developing a software application – ActionView, in the area of cricket analysis.

According to Mukesh Thumar, Paramatrix's managing director, the company mainly focuses on BFSI sector but during the recession of 2008, it thought of developing a new software in the field of sports.

“At that time, BCCI became our client as we were developing a website and capturing data for its first-class matches. And hence in a period of 6-7 months with a technical team of about 10 people, we developed a cricket match analysis software – ActionView1.0,” Thumar explains.

“During the software development phase, BCCI allowed our team to use its grounds and facilities for testing of program,” he adds. Interestingly for Paramatrix, its software development phase coincided with conclusion of the first ever twenty20 cricket tourney and the Indian Premier League in the country.

And eventually Paramatrix found its maiden customer in the form of an IPL franchise team Rajasthan Royals, which has been extensively using the software for past two years now. Later on, Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) found the software quiet interesting and useful that today all the 37 cricket associations across India are working on Paramatrix's ActionView software.

The first version of ActionView1.0 was launched in later part of 2008, while its enhanced version ActionView1.2 was released in 2009. In terms of features, it provides advanced match reports with minute statistical details on batting, bowling and field analysis, along with multiple innings and scorecard tracking, on the fly statistical reports even during live-match, single window based dashboard and others.

It is a Windows-based application built on .NET 3.0 technology that works purely on open XML database, which allows easy integration and functioning with other programs and applications. The application is highly interactive with its graphical user interface (GUI) for easy operating, buffer data storage for achieving all match-related data, and uses modern backup techniques. Also it has features like live match video edits with customization that allows video compressions in different formats and type, parallel video plays and analysis.

According to Thumar, compared to other similar software, ActionView doesn't need any high-end computer systems or laptops but can easily work on standard systems with 1GB memory. He points out that similar software from competitors need SQL servers and high-end systems, in addition to its high cost.

At present, the enhanced versions ActionView1.2 is available in the market at a cost of Rs..1.5 lakh per license while its lower version with limited features and modules costs Rs..25,000. For colleges, schools and small cricket clubs, which need limited features, the lower version of ActionView1.2 is quiet useful and affordable too, says Thumar.

Paramatrix will be rolling out ActionView2.0, the advanced edition which has the combined features of both motion and match analysis, and it is expected to hit the market in next few months. It's part of the company's business road map for the future.

Apart from cricket, Paramatrix also offers analysis software for lawn tennis and Thumar adds that company has received indirect inquiries via BCCI from Asian cricketing nations like UAE, Sri Lanka and others for ActionView.