Wipro posts increased sales in H1

BANGALORE: Wipro's software and services business first half-year sales went up by 55 per cent to Rs 440.70 crore. Profit before interest and tax were Rs 114.60 crore, an increase of 39 per cent against the same period last year.

The sales of Wipro's systems and services business grew by 16 per cent to Rs 342.20 crore and the operating margin at Rs 111 crore grew multifold, according to a company release. Services comprising of facilities management, networking consultancy, global support, software, warranty and managed services grew 55 per cent with operating margin inexcess of 15 per cent.

Wipro has earned Rs 4.6 crore from it Six Sigma quality initiatives in the half-year as against Rs 4.4 crore savings in the full year of 1998-99. Six Sigma is achieved through quality projects that focus in what is critical to customer satisfaction, productivity and cost. Through 270 ongoing Six Sigma projects, Wipro has achieved significant success in product quality, working capital management and productivity projects and will reach Four Sigma in 2000, according to the release.