Cognizant and Indian IT’s Big 4: The ‘David’ is Fast Closing in

Stories abound about how Cognizant is closing the gap with its big 4 rivals, notably Wipro. Given that, we at BusinessViewsReviews.blogspot.com thought it apt to do a comparative analysis so as to get a better idea about how the David Cognizant is chasing the four Goliaths, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and HCL Tech.

A look at the table clearly shows that Cognizant has performed stunningly well in the third quarter ending September 30, 2010 (Cognizant’s financial year ends on December 31st) as compared to its bigger rivals such as TCS and Infosys. And that Wipro is clearly in danger of losing out the third slot (in the Indian IT’s big league) to the Nasdaq-listed firm. Yet, it would be a little tough on Wipro to say that by the end of the 4th quarter result itself (Cognizant will declare it on February 7, 2011), the Bangalore-headquartered firm will slip to fourth rank. According to our rough estimates, Wipro’s IT Services revenues would total about $5.2bn (after assuming that it achieves the top end of its revenue guidance given for Q42011).

However, then there is no denying the fact that Wipro is staring at a defeat at the hands of Cognizant in a couple of quarters from hence. In other words, to say that the Teaneck-, New Jersey-headquartered firm is only a few quarters away is only confirming the obvious, given the break-neck pace at which Cognizant is growing. Our estimates show that if Cognizant manages to grow at 39-40% as per the guidance it has given for the FY10 and assuming the same pace of growth in its Q1FY11, on a sequential basis, Cognizant’s revenues will reach $6.37bn by March’11 quarter (its first quarter) while Wipro’s Q1FY12 (i.e., first quarter of the FY12) will grow to $5.75bn (assuming it manages to grow at a much higher rate of 10%, sequentially).

Indian IT's 'Big 5': Cognizant Closing the Gap
Quarterly Performances: A Comparative Picture
(All figures in $ Millions, except otherwise stated)
Company	TCS	Infosys	Wipro*	HCL Tech**	Cognizant
Quarter	Q3'11	Q3'11	Q3'11	Q2'11	Q3****
Revenues	2144	1585	1343.8	864.1	1216.9
Q0Q (Growth)	7	6	5.6	7.5	10.1
YoY (Growth)	31	28.7	19.3	32.6	42.6
Net Profit	517	397	296	89	203.7
Q0Q (Growth)	13.62	6.1	2.1	39.2	18.29
YoY (Growth)	34.63	18.9	10	23.7	49.12
EPS ($)	0.26	0.69	0.12	0.51	0.66
OPM %	28	30.22	22.2	13.1	18.8
Note:
*Contains only IT Services Revenues
**Q2FY11
Q3****  Ending September 2010

But we would urge the readers not to read too much into the comparisons as these are just estimates and real performances might differ from the assumptions made in this story. Also, don’t rule out a smart come back by Wipro, post-the recent reshuffle at the top.

Amy,

Chief Editor,

www.businessviewsreviews.blogspot.com

You can contact the author by Twitter or Mail at: businessbanter@gmail.com

Smart Phones O/S: Google’s Android topples Symbian

According to leading market intelligence firm, Canalys, Google’s Android has dethroned Nokia’s Symbian to emerge as the world’s leading operating system (O/S) for smart phones.

The latest data by Canalys, released today shows that worldwide shipments of Android-based smart phones reached 32.9 million versus 31 million smart phones which run on Nokia’s Symbian platform, during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2010.

However, the report highlights that Nokia retained its global market leadership of the smart phone market with a share of 28%. During the Q4, worldwide smart phone market continued to surge, clocking a robust growth rate of 89% y-o-y with shipments of 101.2 million units while for the CY2010, the worldwide shipments grew at 80% to just below 300 million units.

The Android’s robust run was led by “strong performances from a number of vendors, notably LG, Samsung, Acer and HTC, whose volumes across these platforms grew 4,127%, 1,474%, 709% and 371% respectively year-on-year,” Canalys said in its report. “HTC and Samsung together accounted for nearly 45% of Google OS-based handset shipments,” it further added.

“2010 has been a fantastic year for the smart phone market. After a difficult 2009, the speed with which the market has recovered has required real commitment and innovation from vendors and they have risen to the challenge,” said Canalys VP and Principal Analyst Chris Jones. However, he cautioned, “vendors cannot afford to be complacent. 2011 is set to be a highly competitive year with vendors looking to use new technology, such as dual-core processors, NFC and 3D displays, to differentiate their products and maintain value.”

Please visit http://www.canalys.com/ for more info.

Amy, Chief Editor, 

www.businessviewsreviews.blogspot.com

You can contact the author by Twitter or Mail at: businessbanter@gmail.com

M&M’s Genio offers style and luxury to LCV Segment

 

Who said that the LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle) Segment is devoid of all the comforts and technology. Have a look at the new offering from Mahindra & Mahindra — ‘GENIO’, which is set to re-define the utilitarian pick-up category equipped with new stylish looks and technologies. The new offering is priced at Rs 4.99 lakh BS3 (ex-showroom Navi Mumbai) according to the company.

At the launch of its new offering a visibly elated, Dr. Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said, “In keeping with our endeavour of offering first of its kind world class products, we have launched the Genio today. It is also a result of extensive consumer insight which captured the latent and expressed needs of the customer. The Genio is an ideal vehicle for businessmen, traders and SMEs. I am confident that it would be nothing less than a Game Changer for the pickup segment in times to come.”

The new vehicle is powered by CRDe engine which clocks horse power of 75 BHP and 220 Nm torque. M&M has shown its technological prowess in this vehicle with its advanced LSPV brakes which adjusts the braking pressure in tune with the load of the vehicle, the first in this segment. The vehicle also equipped with Radial tubeless tyres, a first in this segment. Other utilitarian features that Genio offers its driver is mobile charging point, a much needed facility these days, a bottle holder, coin holder and a dash board with a wallet case and a mobile case and the vehicle is available in four attractive colors like Silver Shine (Metallic), Diamond White, Marvel Granite and Skyline Blue and will be sold from second week of February.

So competitors watch out for the heated competition in this LCV Segment.

For more from the auto world, keep watching this space.

This is Venky Signing Off!

You can contact this author at: businessbanter@gmail.com

Apple iPad hits Indian shores

The iconic tablet PC is finally here!

All you Apple aficionados, it’s time now to celebrate as your long wait for that elusive iPad ends. Sounds unbelievable? Yet it is true that Apple is finally launching its much admired and aspired for gizmo, the iPad in India today.

Though the India launch is happening exactly a year after its debut in the home market of the US on January 27, 2010 (commercial launch though took place from April’10 onwards only), the wait seems to be worth it. 

Apple iPad will be available in six variants: three base version in 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB with wi-fi but without 3G. These are priced in the range of Rs. 27,990 - Rs. 37,900 while the variants with 3G and Wi-Fi are priced in the range of Rs 34,900 –Rs. 44,900.

The state-owned telecom operator, BSNL has joined hands with Apple to offer 3G services on iPad for its customers. The 3G data plans are available to both post-paid as well as pre-paid subscribers of the telco (see the BSNL’s data plans table).  

iPad is the fastest selling gadget ever with sales of 15 million units in just nine months since its launch. iPad has truly revolutionized the table PC market in western markets and it is expected to repeat the same in the Indian tablet PC market as well.

Happy viewing.

Source: http://www.pluggd.in/

Prepaid Plan: 

Particulars	Unlimited Monthly Plan	Limited Monthly Plan	Daily Plan
MRP of Recharge Vouchers(RCV) in Rs.	999	599	99
Free Data Usage	Unlimited	6 GB	Unlimited
Validity	30 Days	30 Days	1 Day
Data Usage Charges Beyond Free Usage	NA	1p/10Kb	NA

Starter Pack in Rs.100^. Free usage with activation 1GB/month for six months.

^MRP is inclusive of Service Tax @10.30%.

Postpaid Plan: 

Particulars	Unlimited Monthly Plan
Activation Charges in Rs. *	100
FMC in Rs. *	999
Free Data Usage	Unlimited
Validity	30 Days

*Service Tax as applicable extra.

 Source: bsnl.co.in

More about iPad

The high-resolution, 9.7 inch LED-backlit IPS display on iPad is remarkably crisp and vivid. Which makes it perfect for web browsing, watching films or showing off photos. It’s also been designed to work in any orientation — portrait or landscape. And because it uses a display technology called IPS (in-plane switching), it has a wide 178° viewing angle. So you can hold it almost any way you want and still get a brilliant picture, with excellent colour and contrast.

Stay connected anywhere.

iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G offers superfast data speeds up to 7.2 Mbps over 3G cellular networks around the world. It’s perfect when you’re out and about with no access to a Wi-Fi network, because you can still get a fast connection for surfing the web, sending and receiving email, or getting directions. And since iPad seamlessly switches between 3G and Wi-Fi, you always get the best connection available.²

No-contract 3G service.

To enable 3G service on your iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G, you need a micro-SIM card and a data plan. A number of carriers offer no-contract data plans for iPad, and you can activate 3G service anytime after installing the micro-SIM card; some plans can even be activated right on the iPad. Micro-SIM cards are available from the Apple Online Store and Apple Retail Stores and directly from carriers; contact your carrier for details

Here’s how to get 3G service for your iPad:

1.  Purchase your iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G.

2.  Get a micro-SIM card either from Apple or from a carrier offering iPad data plans; you’ll select your data plan later.

3.  Install your micro-SIM card.

4.  Use the on-device activation process (where available) or contact your wireless carrier for activation details.

For more features, log on to http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

Watch out this space as we bring you the latest news from the world of 3G in India.

- Amy

Do send your responses at businessbanter@gmail.com

Source: www.apple.com/in