Polaris launches WebLab for Internet research

DQW news Bureau

Chennai-based software major Polaris Software Lab has announced its new initiative in the emerging web space called Polaris WebLab. This would form part of the company's initiative to move up the value chain and WebLab is to integrate research and application specialist, and create web interactive architects and designers. The company plans to build 250 to 300 knowledge components in the next one-year and have a knowledge repository for its future purpose.

"This initiative would create a platform for doing research activities in the emerging Internet technologies. Moreover, the web interactive architects and designers will work closely with our various software business units (SBUs) on live projects for global customers, which will help us reduce time-to-market products and services besides cutting cost," said Arun Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Polaris Software Lab Limited.

Initially, the company expects 30 percent time-reduction in the projects done and over a period of time, it will help to reduce up to 70 percent of the time taken for completing projects. "We'll bring 30 to 40 research scholars in this new program and constant rotation of WebLab professionals with software business units would ensure steady dissemination of research knowledge to the SBUs and application knowledge to the WebLab," Jain said.

"We, at Polaris, look for a tremendous growth in clients and as well as knowledge base, apart from moving up the value chain."

Recently, the company has increased its billing rates by 15-20 percent and further hike, of similar percentage, is expected after creating the knowledge repository. "Both off-shore and onsite rates has been revised to $ 25 and $ 90-100 (per hour rates) respectively as against $ 19 per hour and $ 65-68 per hour earlier," he said.

Polaris has invested an amount of Rs 7 crore in this project. "The company plans to invest over Rs 50 crore in the 1,900 seat development center to come up in Chennai and Gurgaon," Jain added.