Constructive IT

That happens when realty meets information technology?

Highbar Technologies! Yes, this is the IT venture of Hindustan Construction
Company (HCC), which will focus on the infrastructure industry.

Leveraging Parentage

Highbar set its foot into the IT domain as an independent entity eighteen months
back and till now has approximately 27 clients under its belt. Of the 27 orders
received, 23 have been completed. Though with a focus on infrastructure,
Highbar's portfolio of enterprise business solutions, line of business IT
solutions and process consulting is aimed at increasing efficiencies for roads,
ports, real estate, airports, railways, irrigation and water supply, as well as
urban and industrial infrastructure (telecom, mining)-both in the private and
public sector.

Highbar has now carved a niche for itself as an end-to-end solution provider
for the infrastructure industry owing to its in-depth experience in ERP
implementation, GPS-based tracking solutions, reinforcement steel optimization
etc. Talking about the plus points of the company, Ajit Gulabchand, Chairman and
MD, HCC says, "The distinct advantage that the company possesses is its inherent
understanding of the needs of the infrastructure industry as well as IT."

Setting the Bar Higher

Gulabchand further elaborates, "As a business, our aim is to be a key player in
the domestic untapped market for IT enabled solutions for the infrastructure
industry, which currently stands at approximately Rs 2,000 crore."

Adding further Satish Pendse, President, Highbar Technologies says, "The key
driver of our growth in the last eighteen months has been the high level of
confidence entrusted in us by our clients. At Highbar Technologies, we will
continue to leverage internal competencies and also explore alliances and
strategic partnerships to provide a larger portfolio of services to tap emerging
business opportunities in both domestic and international markets."

Apart from domestic markets, the company intends to target business
opportunities in the international markets such as the Gulf region, Europe,
South East Asia and the Far East. This year the company has ambitious plans for
the lucrative Dubai market. Highbar Technologies intends to firmly establish
itself in India and then expand itself internationally in areas such as the
Middle East, Europe and Far East Asia during the next five years.

The Road Ahead

The Indian infrastructure sector is poised to have an exponential growth in
the near future. The government has allocated Rs 2,22,777 crore in the 11th Five
Year Plan for the infrastructure sector. Besides, the projected outlay of the
Ministry of Railways is Rs 1,96,263 crore over the next five years. This will
offer significant opportunity of IT business only from the Indian infrastructure
sector to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore in the current financial year and would
increase to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore in FY 2015. Moreover, a huge market
exists in Europe, the Middle East and far east countries.

The company has planned investments in the areas of additional competency
building, marketing and international expansion.

Shilpa Shanbhag

Source: DQ