Microsoft tool attracts govts

Technology consolidation is on. The mantra is- maximize RoI from the existing technology. Tying up the pieces of technology, which goes into making the eco system of the company impacts RoI positively. In an effort to help companies maximize RoI, Microsoft has launched its Six Sigma Accelerator (SSA) in India which was previewed at the Asia SEPG Conference 2003, in Hyderabad. In an interview with Cyber News Service , Microsoft Business Tools Division -Product Manager, Tarun Malik, emphasized that the timing for SSA was just right for India, and talks about the breakthrough SSA has had in the government sector.

What is Six Sigma Accelerator?

It is a system put together using a set of Microsoft tools. It accelerates the process of being Six Sigma ready, cutting down the time by 50 percent and cost by 5 percent. It is useful for companies which are starting out so that, they can begin with the best practices. Wherever Sigma projects are running, it helps by transferring the project in general ledgers and thus the project gets reflected in the organization's overall financial performance. Managers can justify continuing projects as they have been running, or make a case for changing them. If a change is necessary, it can be made quickly by enabling a Six Sigma project to change its course at a very low cost.

The Microsoft SSA can easily interoperate with existing back-office financial and human resource databases. This reduces cost, eliminates data entry redundancy and minimizes the chance of data entry errors. It also adds transparency to the wealth of data created and stored by corporate applications. Managers can easily see which people with specific skill sets work in their company, and when they are available for Six Sigma projects. In fact, the accelerator can become a performance management tool for the entire company, not just its Six Sigma projects.

Who do you think will be the adopters of SSA?

In fact, we already have four early adopters, in four different cities and four different verticals. It showcases that SSA applies to just about anybody who wants to be competitive enough to survive and thrive in business. The pilot is over and the solution is already deployed. We are just waiting for the RoI figures to come in so that we can announce it with hard facts. With WTO regime beginning 2005, it is natural to say that whoever wants to remain in business will go for it. Companies like Satyam, Infosys and TCS are competing with the best in the world which are already Six Sigma ready. Indian companies have a lot of catching up to do and SSA is surely the way to go.

Is it an ideal solution for huge companies with many projects running?

Yes, large companies benefit the most and reap a big impact. We also see a lot of thrust coming from the state governments. The state governments are getting into project management in a big way be it in construction or irrigation and are driving the process quality initiative. In fact, the lead has already come from the Karnataka government. A pilot at Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation is already through and they are currently looking at the strategy of putting it all together, deploying it through the state

Governments infact, can benefit a lot because the gestation period is long. The UP government has taken a big leap there and is going for it across the departments. Central government is also going for it. In about two months time there will be quite a number of announcements from our side in this regard. In Andhra Pradesh, APTransco is showing a lot of interest and is pursuing it aggressively. We hope that too will work out.

By 2005, how many Indian companies do you think will be Six Sigma ready?

Most of them and certainly the top 10 will be there. The only way to remain competitive globally is to put quality processes in place.

(CNS)