HBI Software - Same address: New Office

HBI Software Pvt Limited opened its doors in Bangalore in September 2001. The address was and remains, Sunrise Chambers, 22 Ulsoor Road, Bangalore.

This week, the company moved into its third suite of offices. I have only seen the photographs but the news from Bangalore is good. And the local telco managed to move all the telecoms across 'just like that'. Hum, I say, as I look at the redundant wireless modem here. If only.

Sankranti

Sankranti is a festival that signifies the beginning of the harvest season for the farmers of Karnataka in India. It is marked by a public holiday throughout the State. That includes Bangalore.

So HBI Software is closed for business today.

Sankranti is just one of a number of Indian public holidays. Most mark important religious festivals and events. They include Shivratri, Ugadi, Janmashtami, Dashera, Gandhi Jayanti and perhaps the best known Indian festival outside the sub continent, Diwali.

So to the team at HBI and beyond, have a great Sankranti!

We will celebrate in NZ in the usual way.

Mumbai Thoughts

John and I arrived back from Auckland last night. 'On the road' effectively for the past three days, I had only been vaguely aware of the unfolding tragedy in Mumbai. Watching BBC World this morning, I am now beginning to understood the true extent and impact of the terrorist attacks.

I guess what makes this episode more tangible is that I have stayed at the Taj Mahal Hotel on two previous occasions. I remember well the amazing interior and the sheer luxury of the place. Together with the hugely attentive staff. This is in every respect one of the world's 'Great Hotels'. A couple of blocks down the seafront is the Oberoi Hotel, scene of another of the terrorist assaults. I know it well. I remember the ground floor reception area and lounge that leads to the main terrace. Many a Kingfisher was consumed there.

Today, my thoughts are with HBI Software in Bangalore. Bangalore is a two hour flight from Mumbai, but one thing it shares in common with Mumbai is a heavy concentration of American and British citizens. This is not called IT City for nothing.

India is perhaps the world's greatest democracy. I am constantly amazed how a country with so many religious and regional identities has developed and thrived. It is my sincere hope that the events of the past 72 hours are a one-off incident and not a harbinger of things to come. India deserves better.

Understanding Scalability

On Friday, I had an interesting meeting at NZTE's offices in Tauranga. The discussion focused on HBI Software and its outsourcing role in Bangalore.

One of the greatest challenges most NZ ICT businesses face is that of scalability. This is partly down to the shortage of skilled software engineers and partly down to the limited size of the domestic market.

More on the outcome of Friday's discussions shortly, but the ability to outsource certain back office functions and IT development work is not one that many NZ businesses have addressed. In part, this is down to a lack of an obvious entry point. Where do you begin to look for offshore partners?

It's a question that I hope HBI will assist answer in both the medium and the longer term. Global engagement of this type is essential if NZ ICT businesses are to seiously grow their business. I do understand the SaaS model, but in terms of the broader IT space, offshoring part of your work process should be considered an essential element of a business model.

HBI Software - 7th Birthday

I have blogged about HBI Software many times before. I have talked about its great outsourcing tradition and its service to HB Internet, The WH Consultancy, Smart Analytics, Pingar and many other applications I have been associated with in the past.

Tomorrow, it celebrates its 7th birthday. September 10th 2001 saw HBI open its doors for business for the first time in Sunrise Chambers, 22 Ulsoor Road, Bangalore.

It is therefore appropriate that tomorrow, I will be in Auckland, discussing new outsourcing opportunities for the team there. In the UK, outsourcing is regarded as an every day part of today's business model. In NZ, there is still some way to go in this regard.

So to Rajesh, Aravind and the rest of the HBI Software team, I raise my glass.

Have a great 7th Birthday!

India Spices up Tauranga

Registration this morning was at 7.50am. It was a full house.

There is something about India that simply inspires. That was the message that was taken away by the many businesses attending today's NZTE India Market Forum.

I have been to several NZTE sponsored Market Forums and this was one of the best. It helped by having the high-powered India delegation in attendance. The scale of their ambition and the opportunity they broached spoke spades for more active engagement between New Zealand business and India.

As well as contributing to the workshops, I benefited from the session. An opportunity to access quality India content for Pingar was offered. I will take it. Market Forums are a great way to introduce business to different offshore opportunities. They are held throughout New Zealand. Check NZTE for details.

India Calling

Tauranga businesses are getting a taste of India on Tuesday.

NZTE are organising an India Market Forum and I have been asked to run one of the workshops. The purpose of the day is to provide an opportunity for prospective and current business exporters to India to both engage with prominent Indian business leaders as well as established local players in the Bay.

Timing they say is everything. Right now, India is very much on my mind. I am working with the management team at HBI Software in Bangalore on future strategy.

We first opened our doors on Ulsoor Road in 2001. Much has changed since then; not least the very specific move 'up the value chain'. I remember well in the early days how Indian IT companies were seen primarily as 'coders'. That is history. Today, Indian ICT companies manage whole projects from top to bottom. They compete head to head with global consultancies for multinational contracts. Indeed many of those global consultancies such as Accenture and IBM Services now have their own significant operations in India.

The focus of my own workshop is built around 'managing a business in India from Tauranga'. In truth, the challenge is not really that much different from running the same business from London, New York or the Valley. In New Zealand, it is only the perception that is really different.

India Market Forum - Tuesday 15 July

New Delhi - The Changing Face of India

NZTE sent out the details for their Fourth Market Forum to be held in Tauranga this morning. The line up of speakers is impressive.

The panel include Paul Vaughan – NZ Trade Commissioner For India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Maldives. Paul is joined by Mr Vijay Kumar of Reliance Retail, V J Crishna, of the NZTE India Beachhead Program and Godrej Group, Robert Barker of NZ Innovative Farming Systems Ltd, Mr Srinath Sridharan of Corporate Strategy, Wahkawan and yours truly.

HBI Software, Bangalore and Tauranga can at times seem a long way away. The India Market Forum will bring all the potential this important and growing market has, to the heart of the Bay.

You can register by emailing Angela Wallace at NZTE for details.

The Working Day

According to the OECD, New Zealanders work some of the longest working hours in the developed world. I think I understand.

One of the major downsides of our geography is the dreaded word 'timezones'.

Typically, my 'working day' starts at 6.30am with a download of the overnight email. With partners in both the UK and India, much of the offshore work occurs at night. With the current 11 hour time difference between NZ and the UK, it also means I can call up business colleagues before it gets too late - so calls normally go through by 8.00 - 9.00pm UK time.

Then it's time for coffee and the New Zealand working day begins.

It's normally at about 5.00pm in the evening when HBI Software in Bangalore comes on line as the India working day starts. So a new set of email and Skype kicks in at that point. By 8.00pm in the evening, the UK is back online and I normally try and close things off by 10.30pm.

Today is no exception. This morning it was a 6.00am start and shortly I leave for Auckland. 6 hours driving and 3 meetings with the last slated in for 4.30pm means that I will get back in Tauranga for about 10.00pm. Lovely! And then it's time to catch up. Those OECD figures might just be right.

Lytham Bound

The Windmill on Lytham Green

Tonight, Jacqui and I have a farewell Xmas dinner with friends in London. Tomorrow, we head off to Lytham for the Christmas break.

In days gone by that would have been it for two weeks. Not today. With HBI Software working between Xmas & New Year in Bangalore and various associated commitments, the family will have to get used to me working. And I will have to get used to finding wi-fi.

Lytham is my home town. It will be my first home visit since July 2006. This time tomorrow, I will be there. So I hope is some connectivity!

Global Banking?

One interesting observation made at today's International Market Forum related to the reach of New Zealand banks offshore. I did not attend the specific workshop where this issue was raised, but on reflection, the observation mapped my own experience.

When I have enquired before about overseas NZ bank representation, even through correspondent banks, in key global territories, I have drawn a blank. I had no luck in the UAE and Bangalore? - forget about it. I can't even SWIFT NZ dollars into India. I have to convert them first to US dollar's or GBP and then this is converted into INR. Two lots of currency conversion payments on one basic transaction. That really sucks.

It is not a problem I ever had in the UK. But then in NZ, the banks are not locally owned. 90% are owned by Australian banks. Which makes me think. If Aussie really wanted to slow down NZ exports all they would really need to do, would be to.......hmmmmmmm

Hunter's in Bangalore

Last Thursday, Jacqui and I took a couple of days off work to coincide with Diwali. It gave us a chance to visit Marlborough and catch up with Jane Hunter, the owner of Hunter's Wines.

Jacqui had met Jane at a Business Women's function in Tauranga a couple of months ago. I have always been partial to the odd tipple myself. I remember well sinking a few glasses or so of Hunter's when we lived back in the UK.

The purpose of Thursday's visit though was slightly more sober. Together with one or two other local wineries, Jane is launching her wines in India. And one of the first stockists will be the Taj Group of hotels in Bangalore. That's good. That's very, very good.

The choice of wines in Bangalore hotels has always been restricted. The potential though has always been there. Overseas guests know it. So does the local taxman and he knows how to add that tarrif.

However, in the interest's of the New Zealand's exports, a bottle of Jane's finest will be ordered when I next visit the Taj Residence. All in the name of patriotism of course. And a decent tipple.

Happy Diwali Festival

For Hindus, Diwali (Deepavali) is not only a 'Festival of Lights', it also is a special occasion to worship Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.

It is a time for worship and it is a time for celebration. In India, it is also a public holiday when family and friends can enjoy this festive period together.

On Thursday and Friday this week, HBI Software will close its offices for the occasion. To everyone in Bangalore and beyond, I wish you all a 'Very Happy Diwali'.

Monsoon in Bangalore

Monsoon rains predicted

Whilst New Zealand is entering its warmer summer months, with a fine Labour Weekend on the cards, the North-East monsoon is all set to enter Bangalore and rainfall is expected to increase significantly.

Heavy clouds over the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal are an indication of the onset of the rainy season. According to today's Times of India, satellite pictures taken on Thursday showed clouds passing over south-interior Karnataka, Western Ghats and coastal Karnataka.

Expect it to get worse. At this time of the year, I always feel for the team at HBI Software. During the last monsoon, the company's underground carpark was severely flooded on several occasions. Just moving around the city becomes almost impossible. Major roads, including MG Road, KG Road and Hosur Road will be choked with slow-moving vehicles.

When we complain about wet weather and slow traffic in New Zealand, it is relative. In Bangalore, it is not. In Bangalore, it is real and sadly on occasions, very deadly. Let's hope that this year's rainy season is no worse than normal.

Understanding MT103 Forms

Working in Bangalore is fun. Transferring funds to Bangalore is not.

I have learnt the hard way. Go for a standard bank to bank transfer from either the UK or NZ, and it can take from 3 days - 3 weeks for the cleared funds to reach the beneficiary account in India.

To accelerate the transfer, the SWIFT payment system must be used. To support that, ask your UK or NZ bank to provide you with a MT103 transfer form at the time the transfer is made. This will enable the Indian receiving bank to track the incoming payment. Without it, 15 working days can be a very long time.

Use the SWIFT payment system and the funds should be credited to the beneficiary account in 48 hours.

Outsourcing to HBI Software

HBI Software is based in Bangalore. Formed in 2001, they have developed major applications for global clients including The United Nations, Canon Europe and BT.

I now declare an interest. I chair the company.

Recently, we signed up a major development contract for a pivotal New Zealand-based company. We strongly believe we can deliver more. The HBI team are highly experienced with the majority of developers having been with the company since its early days.

The team have recently launched their own blog. You can view it here. Yesterday, they wrote a good first article on the benefits of outsourcing. I hope to see more.

HBI Software has six years experience of offshore / outsourcing engagement. It you want any further information about how outsourcing to HBI Software could help your business, please contact me via my email address here. Or check out their website here. Or do both.

Bangalore Reflections from the Deck

- a dusk view of the Kaimai's taken from home deck -

That was some journey. I left Bangalore at 23.15 on Friday and arrived back home in Tauranga at 17.00 on Sunday. That's a lot of flight and transit time, but it gave me an opportunity to reflect on my 5 days in India. What were the three key memories?

1. The immense contribution, organisation and input of HBI Software. Once again, I brought a new major project to HBI and the management team immediately understood both its scope and its execution. That is a critical factor in the success of any offshored project - a complete confidence that the management team can deliver without the need for constant interference. With HBI, that confidence is total.

2. The energy and optimism of Bangalore itself once again inspired. This is a city where the focus on IT and innovation is entrenched. The confidence it, and much of India now generates, is contagious. Despite being much less well developed than NZ in many respects, there is a dynamism and optimism that I rarely find in much of New Zealand. Bangalore, once again, truly inspired.

3. The impact that coordinated 'long-term' Government and private sector planning has had at creating such a dynamic global IT cluster is clear. I will discuss this in more detail in future blogs since there are lessons I believe we can learn in NZ. What the success of Bangalore as an IT and BPO outsourcing destination demonstrates is that a long-term coordinated public - private sector strategy of infrastructure, investment and fiscal policy can work.

It is good to be back in Tauranga, but the memories I have brought back with me will continue to inspire as I face up to the inevitable challenges most of the ICT sector in NZ experience back home. Those challenges are real and collectively, they need to be met.

Au Revoir Bangalore

The bags are packed and it is time to go.

The whole HBI Software team are joining me for a final meal at their favourite 'Chicken Restaurant', Eden Park. No, that is not a joke. That really is the name!

And then it's off to Bangalore Airport. I have resisted the temptation to mention the airport in this blog, but finally I give way. The best, and probably only thing I can say about it, is that the new Bangalore International Airport is scheduled to open in April 2008. Until then............it's the converted aircraft hanger that doubles up as an airport for the next 9 months.

So it's Au Revoir Bangalore. It's been a great week.

I will provide some of my reflections on the week when I get back to Tauranga on Monday.

Outsourcing to HBI Software

As I prepare to leave Bangalore, a shameless plug for HBI Software.

The company was formed in 2001 and many of the team have been with HBI for over five years now. In terms of Bangalore, this is remarkable loyalty. And they are.

They have produced great work and major applications for clients including The United Nations, Canon Europe and British Telecom. They have created the Smart Analytics portal, now integrated into Microsoft Office 2007 portals and Pingar.

The team is Microsoft Accredited and has a deep understanding of Microsoft Technologies. If you would like to take advantage of the team's great skills and learn more about how successful outsourcing can help your business, do not hesitate to contact me at peter@whc.co.nz

Bangalore is 'Global'

It's hard to fully describe how significant Bangalore is as a 'global' player until you have spent some time here.

There are seven new IT companies a week being registered. Hundreds of thousands of designers, developers and engineers work in the software space.

Later this month, Bangalore has some interesting visitors. Craig R. Barrett, Chairman on Intel; John Chambers, Chairman and CEO of Cisco, and Pekka Kallasvuo, President and CEO of Nokia Corportaion.

For New Zealand companies wanting to engage with the global ICT community, Bangalore really is a great place to start. If you want any information about how to connect, you can contact me in Tauranga. My email address is: peter@whc.co.nz