For this, infotech giant Microsoft is aiming to provide awareness among state governments and corporates to implement knowledge management (KM) systems in the country.

"Knowledge management is a nascent but rapidly growing practice that seeks to maximise the value of a company by helping its people to innovate and adapt in the face of change. Knowledge management helps prepare people for an environment of constantly shifting demographics, industries, economies and customer needs by ensuring that people have the expertise and information," according to Microsoft Corporation.

In Bangalore, Infosys Technologies Ltd (ITL) is reported to have implemented such practices. A source in ITL said the company had already implemented the system with a keypersonnel looking after the operations and the response had been encouraging. However, senior ITL officials were not available for comment.

Microsoft India marketing manager Karthik Padmanabhan said the number of companies using such systems in the country was growing. The growth in this sector would be quick as compared to the growth India witnessed in ERP and datawarehousing. According to Microsoft, the primary ``tools'' applied in the practice of knowledge management are organisational dynamics, process engineering and technology. These three work in concert to streamline and enhance the flow of an organisation's data, information and knowledge and to deliver it to individuals and groups engaged in accomplishing a specific item of work. ``We are in discussions with CII and Assocham to conduct roadshows in order to generate awareness among corporates. Many infotech companies are planning to utilise the practice,'' Padmanabhan said.

Microsoft is in talks with state governments to implement the knowledgemanagement system. Among the state governments, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka are likely to take major initiative to this effect soon. ``We are also looking at Indian judiciary system to offer such facilities,'' he added.

According to officials, the knowledge management platform of Microsoft is designed to provide mobile knowledge workers with rich and focused access to information and experts at any time or any place.

Microsoft strategy is based on four key elements: Digital dashboard (delivering the right information at the right time), Web-store (opening applications to knowledge of all kinds), mobility/wireless (access to information anytime, anywhere and intelligent interface (transforming the way people use computers).