Novell eyes Indian language market

BANGALORE: Eyeing the huge potential in the e-governance space, which requires language software, Novell today said that it was currently looking at identifying four to five top Indian languages.

Addressing a press conference here, Rohnda O'Donnell, president, Novell APAC, said, "Novell is committed to both internationalizing and localizing Linux." The company would also be talking to partners who could offer services like content.

On the development activities at Novell's center here, J Veeraraaghavan, MD, Novell Software Development, said that the Indian center looked at end-to-end product development, support and product enhancement of critical Novell products. "From 50 engineers in 1994 we today have 325 engineers who make up for 25% of Novell's overall global R&D workforce."

Apart from focusing on existing products at the center, Novell has charted out future plans which include work on new areas like data center Linux, work group computing, identity management, identity based computing, collaboration management and Linux desktops.

O'Donnell also said that Novell's recent acquisition of Onward Novell enabled it to focus its marketing energies better on the Indian market. "We will focus on key segments like BFSI, government and the BPO space," she said.

The company is also tying up with Indian academic institutions to promote development on Linux. So far 15 institutions have tied up with Novell and the company is targeting 200 institutes in the country.