CommWorks outsources technology center to Mascon

BANGALORE: 3 Com group company, CommWorks, has invested in opening a

technology center in Bangalore to develop leading edge telecom and networking

products and solutions. The entire project is outsourced to its strategic Indian

partner, Mascon Global.

"This is a different kind of a Off-shore Development Center (ODC) model.

It is outsourced from our strategic partner so that it is qualitative and cost

effective. This is the first time, we are engaged in such a relationship. We

hope that this model works and is beneficial for both of us and the industry in

general," said CommWorks President Irfan Ali.

The company plans to invest about $ 12 million in phased stages over the next

three years in the Asia Pacific Technology Center. By May 2002 the company hopes

to have about 40 employees and end up scaling up to 100 or 200 depending on the

need of the market. Mascon will be overlooking the entire operations of the

technology center of CommWorks in Bangalore.

The center will be engaged in software development, network management and IP

Telephony. Some of the projects includes, 2G Gateway development, network

management and VoIP Gateway Switching.

Ali added, "India was selected as the site of the regional technology

center because it offers a strong pool of talented and skilled telecom engineers

and a host of experienced technology partners. The center also allows us to more

rapidly address product design and customization issues that are unique to our

customers in Asia."

Commenting on the Asia Pacific market growth, Ali said, "The region

continues to be a high growth market for all of CommWorks. We are bullish about

the North Asia and Indian markets and see enormous growth potential in Asia

Pacific."