Birlasoft claims that it was the first formally announced implementation partner of iPlanet e-commerce solutions and was involved with the US company in making of the products even before they were launched in the market.According to Mr Dipesh Biswas, vice president of Birlasoft Inc, the company is actively involved with the development team of iPlanet to gain the product knowledge. In fact, Birlasoft has deployed 15 engineers at the development centre of iPlanet for the purpose. The company has also developed an implementation process guidelines for iPlanet products to be used by other implementation partners, he added.

The company would train 150 professionals over the next six months and establish competency centre dedicated to various products, in its current office locations in US and India, he said adding that Birlasoft has already been assisting iPlanet product development team in its progress towards the launch of its products.

Mr Biswas said that the alliance was expected to bring in revenues to the tune of $10 million in 2000-01. The company is expecting a good amount of orders with the help of references from iPlanet. "The company would also have a lead of around three months against other system integration partners and product knowledge which will give us an edge in the market," he said.Birlasoft is also developing product as its own IP which can be used for configuring the iPlanet products. Moreover, the company has already laid down processes for product implementation, claimed Mr Biswas.

Birlasoft, which currently has 80 per cent stake with the Birla group and 20 per cent with GE, is targeting a revenue of Rs 265 crore in 2000-01 from Rs 165 crore in the previous year. The company has its offices in US, UK, Singapore and Middle East besides multiple location in India.