Ariba to set up centre in Bangalore

Global B2B major, Ariba Technologies, is drawing up plans for a research and development facility in Bangalore through its wholly owned Indian subsidiary. This facility is expected to help the parent company in its activities. According to Mr M Ganesh, managing director, Ariba Technologies India, "the centre will be of a modest size. However the finer details - investments, number of people to be employed etc - are yet to be worked out. In two to three months time, a clearer picture will emerge."

According to him Ariba Inc has powered 190 market places, 150 buyers and 120 live customers till date. "B2B will save companies between $180 billion and $ 480 billion by 2003," he said, citing an IDC report. There is potential to have 5,000 electronic market places all around the globe, he remarked.

Ariba Technologies has forged a deal with Satyam Computer Services, whereby the latter would offer its B2B e-commerce applications in the country as an Ariba Certified System Integrator (ACSI).

Speaking about the alliance Mr GB Prabhat, director - enterprise business solutions, the consulting division of Satyam Computers, said "The tie up will enable us to offer integrated e-business solutions for corporates". Currently Satyam Computers provides solutions that focus on improving the business performance integrating process redesign and technologies for B2B, customer relationship management, ERP, and supply chain management.

Further, he said that Satyam Computers will also tie up other leaders in the field so as to offer the customer a choice.