Karnataka has been at the forefront of electronics and information technology industry for many years now, with more than 20% of national production originating from the state. Karnataka sensed the gradual shift in the economic centre of gravity to Asia at the very beginning. As early as 1996-97, the state had a growth rate of 33% in hardware exports. The foundations of the success was laid in the early 70s itself when numerous institutions of higher learning saw and caused an influx of hi-tech industries. The hardware support in the state has been strong and the setting up of shop of names like IBM, HP, L&T and Motorola has added the advantage. To this is added are the ground stations that support seamless interconnectivity of high-speed data links.

The credit to these inclinations towards progress goes to stalwarts of like Sir M. Visweswaraiah and Sir Mirza Ismail under whose tutelage Karnataka developed a strong scientific and industrial temper. The government to this day follows a very liberal policy towards investments made in critical areas of development. The pace at which convergence is growing is unprecedented. Public demand for new and varied services is increasing. Demand for data, voice and video integration, faster and more secure Internet applications, high-end Wireless communications, Virtual networks, VSAT connectivity, extra-large terabit backbone bandwidths are on the rise. Yesterday’s technological marvels are becoming obsolete today.

An average engineer in Bangalore today would be awake to the latest development his counterparts in US and Europe are working on. His or her awareness levels would include the latest hardware platforms and exposure levels would include hands-on working experience with leading companies in the world. According to a World Bank survey, vendors in the USA have ranked India as the no.1 choice for sourcing of software. Cost-effectiveness and timely delivery of quality service were the main criteria in that study. Many complex areas like Business Process re-engineering, System Integration, Multimedia, Networking, Client-server architecture, Storage Area Networks, Knowledge Management and remote maintenance, till recently thought to be specialized American and Japanese domains are now being successfully adopted and quality services delivered by Indian professionals.

While the open-minded Indian technology buyer is looking forward to the next wonder widget, the next bunch of young Indian technocrats are waiting to take on the world.