Newstrack

SoftBrands to strengthen presence in India

Gayatri Vijaykumar - Bangalore

US-based software and hospitality solution provider SoftBrands Hospitality Solutions plans to strengthen its presence in India. Binu Mathews, its VP and GM, India, says, "We plan to have a 20 per cent hike in investment on headcount for support services and sales for India operations. We also intend to enter into the Indian market more actively in 2008."

SoftBrands has set up a 24x7 support system in Bangalore with a capacity to handle 80 per cent of its worldwide calls. "The main first and second level support system is based in Bangalore. All Quality Assurance functions are undertaken in Bangalore with 70 per cent of the staff based here," explained Mathews.

Speaking on the emerging trends in the hospitality industry, he said that the internet was one of the biggest drivers for the business. "We would like to leverage this and provide solutions to cater to the industry," said Mathews. According to him, with enhanced connectivity and the cost of communication reducing every year, businesses like to consolidate and have a single platform to manage their solutions. "Approximately 1,400 new properties are expected to come up across India in the next three years with an investment close to Rs 42,000 crore. With a multitude of international brands investing in India, customers look at differentiators before choosing a hotel," explained Mathews.

SoftBrands provides solutions to the manufacturing sector. With offices in 26 cities and presence in 100 countries, SoftBrands has been growing in the hospitality industry primarily through acquisitions. Till 2006, the contribution from the hospitality segment to the company's revenue was one-thirds however in August 2006 SoftBrands acquired Hospitality Information Services which increased the revenue contribution to 50 per cent.