CIOL: In your view, how is the scene as regards IT implementation among SMBs, who were hitherto refraining from spending on IT infrastructure?
RM: According to a recent AMI Partners report, IT penetration among the SMBs was very low and their IT spend in the past have been less than two per cent of their turnover. But now as they align businesses to global needs, they are looking at IT solutions for an array of applications. SMBs are increasingly viewing IT as an essential strategic tool for their business instead of just another technology investment.
We have also recently announced the availability of our Dynamics Suite of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications as a subscription service, which allows businesses to use these solutions without the need to install it within the company's own premise on a pay as you go model. Microsoft believes that this new offering will allow a much larger set of SMBs in India to adopt and benefit from ERP services.

CIOL: Any new products in the pipeline targeted exclusively at the SMBs?
RM: Microsoft aims to bring the best of breed products to its consumers. In this regard we hope to bring out the next version of the Small Business Server in the next few months for our customers. We have also brought our ERP solutions as a hosted service especially for our SMB customers and hope to be able to make more of our solutions available as a hosted service in the near future.

CIOL: Elaborate on Microsoft's business strategies and expansion plans with regard to SMBs?
RM: Along with the innovative products that Microsoft brings to its customers, we are also constantly striving to look at ways in which we can best reach out to our customers. In this regard Microsoft has recently expanded its presence to five more cities and hoping to add one more.
The cities include Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Indore, Chandigarh and Kochi with Coimbatore being in the pipeline. With its direct presence, Microsoft will enable the SMBs in the region to easily access a complete portfolio of its products and services and enhanced support from both Microsoft and its partners.

Microsoft has launched a program called project VIKAS to help the Indian SME sector address its 'soft' challenges and gear up to effectively face global competition. It is hoped that this program will not only enhance efficiency and competitiveness, but make the job sector more vibrant and foster growth in the local software ecosystem.

We also have a small business portal www.merabusiness.com or Microsoft.com/India/SMB which offers latest information to consumers on the portfolio of products available for SMBs along with information on latest technology advice and IT adoption to assist consumers with business decisions and information on contact points of partners across the country.