BANGALORE: Paris based ESI Group, which provides virtual prototyping and virtual manufacturing solutions, has announced the opening of its software product development center (SDC) in Bangalore. Christened ESI Software India, a wholly owned subsidiary of ESI, according to the company's chairman and CEO, Dr Alain de Rouvray, it would focus on virtual simulation software.

ESI's Indian subsidiary was formed in February 2004, following the acquisition of EASi USA's mechanical computer aided engineering IP in September 2003. "Currently, we have 50 engineers working with us and we plan to step up to 90 people in three years," said ESI Software India Pvt Ltd MD, Nagesh L Bysani. He added that the company would be investing around $five million in the next two years in the center.

The Bangalore center would focus on product definition, design, implementation, validation and shipping. At present, the team is working on developing simulation-based design.

The ESI Group has a suite of products in the realm of virtual prototyping, virtual environments and virtual manufacturing. "We go beyond design and also test the physics of materials," said Dr. De Rouvray. About 50 percent of ESI's customers are in the transportation (automotive, aircraft, railways) sector, while manufacturing, defense, aerospace and electronics make up for the rest.

De Rouvray stressed that the company's decision to have a development center is India was influenced by not just the cost differential but by the technology talent available in India.

Besides development, ESI is also looking to explore the Indian market. "Currently around $300,000 to $400,000 business, ESI is a dominant player in the $500 million Virtual prototyping and virtual manufacturing market. Around 50 percent of the company's turnover is from Europe.