Microsoft, HCL Team on Training and Software Development

Microsoft will work with Indian IT company HCL Infosystems to develop system integration frameworks for the deployment of Microsoft's products for vertical industries in India.

HCL will set up a dedicated team of 500 staff to target industry verticals such as telecommunications, banking, financial services and insurance, power, defense, retail, e-Governance, media and entertainment, the companies said Friday.

The announcement was made during a visit to India by Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner.

The two companies also announced a three-year agreement to train and certify 50,000 students on Microsoft technologies across 100 training centers set up by HCL. The curriculum used by the new HCL Career Development Centers will be the Microsoft Official Curriculum, a structured learning methodology designed and developed by Microsoft. The goal of the training initiative between Microsoft and HCL is to enhance the employability of students and help the Indian IT industry retain its competitive edge, the companies said.

Microsoft has been training Indians on its technologies for some time now, including a program for training teachers in government schools in India. The new program with HCL will ensure that a large number of IT staff, trained on Microsoft's technologies, will be available to the private sector and government for its computerization programs.

HCL has also teamed up with Microsoft to offer its MiLeap brand of laptops with Windows XP Home edition at a low price of about US$400.