Wipro Technologies:
Indian IT giant find a pearl in Finnish Lapland
Indian IT services giant Wipro Technologies greatly expanded its R&D operations in Finland in July 2006, by acquiring the specialist software engineering firm Saraware in Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland.
Wipro's move into Finland is part of the corporation’s "string of pearls" strategy to grow by acquiring carefully selected niche companies in key market areas.
According to Murali Tenneti, general manager for wireless solutions, Wipro's operations remain very much based in India, but the company is seeking to build up a strong local presence closer to their clients.
"Acquisitions can build up local task forces which are of great value for our customers. We need local people talking the local language to truly understand our customers," explains Tenneti.
Closer to clients and technical expertise
"I think Finland as technology destination is simply great. It has good technical talent, good universities, and a good education system altogether. This can be seen in the success of Nokia and many other hardcore hi-tech companies. Where else can we get such an ideal combination of good talent, affordable cost structure and good work environment?", explains Tenneti.
Tenneti feels that cost considerations related to obtaining highly skilled human resources in Finland are also attractive compared to other European countries.
"Coupled to that is the absolutely hi-tech environmental IT infrastructure. Even in northerly Rovaniemi, we have excellent broadband connections, and altogether great facilities, support and infrastructure, including a well-served airport."
Strong presence in Finland
Wipro has software development centres in six towns around Finland, including Oulu, Espoo, Kokkola, Seinäjoki and Pori, as well as Rovaniemi up on the Arctic Circle. Even though many of these localities are small by international standards, Tenneti stresses that they all have good universities, and plenty of suitable talent enabling Wipro to nurture specific software competencies cost-effectively.
Tenneti believes that the Nordic region as a whole is an ideal high-tech base for providing solutions in the wireless networking area. "In mobile networks this is the birthplace of two of the world’s top three companies in Nokia and Eriksson," he points out.
Wipro Technologies Oy has already increased its personnel in Finland to 230, an expansion of more than 25% since the Saraware takeover of 2006. Wipro is particularly using this local presence to build up relationships with local telecoms operators.
According to Tenneti, Wipro is also actively seeking clients in other fields from engineering to banking, aiming to offer attractive IT service packages for automation systems and business process outsourcing.