BANGALORE: Integrated technology and operations (iTOPS) firm iGATE Global Solutions is aggressively targeting the Japanese IT services market with its iTOPS model.

It plans to double its headcount in Japan by hiring over 100 IT professionals over the next 6-12 months, iGate said in a statement released here.

The company has registered some wins recently in Japan based on its iTOPS vision. The company has over 10 Japanese customers spanning insurance, securities and manufacturing sectors.

iGATE provides end-to-end services ranging from analytic solutions and business consulting to infrastructure management services and system application development. The company has been in operation in Japan since 1996.

The firm's global delivery model for iTOPS offers customers reduced costs, reduced cycle time and quality improvements. iGate has six offshore delivery centers in India and China.

Commenting on its differentiator for the Japanese market, Srinjay Sengupta, chief sales officer, iGATE, said, "'Language Communication' and 'Comfort Factor' are important ingredients to be successful in Japan. We have built and refined a local organization where all documentation and communication with customer is in Japanese. While iGATE has an Indian parentage, in Japan it is 'more like a Japanese software company with a global delivery model'. "

With nearly 70% of its employees in Japan being bilingual, iGATE's customers in Japan have the benefit of dealing with a local technology and operations company.

On the outlook for the Japanese Market, Phaneesh Murthy, CEO, iGATE said, "With our iTOPS model, we have ensured that a customer doesn't have to worry about outsourcing bits and pieces. We believe that with our global delivery model, strong localized operations and local business domain, we are well positioned to further strengthen our presence in Japan."

iGATE has a global employee strength of over 4000 people. In India, iGATE has offshore operations in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Noida.

The Phase II expansion at its 14 acre integrated 'technology & operations' campus in Bangalore has taken its total offshore infrastructure presence to over 550,000 sq. ft. The company plans to commence work shortly on Phase III of its campus at Whitefield in the outskirts of Bangalore at an investment of Rs. 25 crores. The 1000 people facility is expected to become operational by Q1FY07.

iGATE ended Q2FY06 with revenues of Rs. 155.77 crores.