Coming to terms with Web 2.0 hoopla

BANGALORE: Beyond a shadow of doubt, India is certainly accepting Web 2.0. While there is reception, there also are issues to be addressed: matters that would haul up Web 2.0 ideas in the country. Speakers at Web Innovation 2007, which kicked off in Bangalore today, dealt with some these issues by touching upon various aspects of Web 2.o. The message was clear: innovate to gain traction.

While there’s a lot of hype and hoopla surrounding Web 2.0, Broadband connectivity is still a concern. MSN India country manager Jaspreet Bindra, was forthright when he spoke on the Web 2.0 scenario in India. On one hand he raised concerns over the broadband connectivity in India, on the other - he called for a more localized approach.
“Unfortunately we try to go the same way as the West. We need a very Indian local search,” said Bindra stressing on the need to build a ‘local brand.’

Putting a different angle to the India perspective was MindTree president and chief executive officer Krishnakumar Natarajan. He was of the view that India’s diversity would put limitations. Rich content, said Natarajan will be the key.
Commenting on the nature of users, T.R. Madan Mohan, director (Consulting, Information Communication and Technology Practice), Frost & Sullivan noted, “Predominantly Indian users are transactional.”
Naresh Gupta, managing director, Adobe, noticed that customer expectations are changing and the power is shifting to the desktop. “There is lot more computing happening in desktop,” said Gupta.

However, Gupta added that the browser will not go away from the scene. Gupta was throwing light on the benefits of Rich Internet Applications (RIA).

He further said that rich controls have made life easier for the developers. With businesses are getting higher rates and more customer loyalty, he stated.

Take note of concept

Speaking on Designing for and with Community, K Suresh Rangarajan, president of Times Financial Services said that new ideas should be highly scalable. Laying emphasis on advertising, e-commerce and subscription as three revenue points, Rangarajan said that content should be compelling.

“The product should do its own marketing. Think international and create an ecosystem, not just a distribution channel,” stated Sandeep Shrivastava, Director Search, Yahoo.
MSN’s Bindra suggested that Bollywood, cricket and education spaces look viable in India. “Mobile is super important,” he added.

Stir individuals

Mohit Hira, director – Times Internet, emphasized on catering to the individuals. Citing the examples of matrimonial sites in India, which Hira said is a Western adopted according to local need, he stressed on glocalization. He asked for more such initiatives in the country.

Bindra advocated for the concept of ‘my web.’ “We can have personalized, tailor-made web for each of us,” proposed Bindra.

Balmohan Tarakkad, president and CEO of Trade Fairs and Conferences International (TFCI); BV Naidu, managing director, SemIndia Systems and N Balakrishna, associate director, Department of Aerospace Engineering, IISc sparked off the conference with introductory notes.

The two-day conference, organized by TFCI, is the first such event on Web 2.0 in the country.

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