Ferranti forays into the Indian market

Ferranti Computer Systems, an IT system solutions provider has opened its
office in Gurgaon with a focus on the energy utility market in India. The
company is expected to tap the opportunities in the growing utilities industry
in India. Ferranti's MECOMS is the end-to-end Customer Information System and
EDM (Energy Data Management) solution, and is a certified platform for Microsoft
Dynamics AX in the utility sector. It allows companies to streamline and manage
processes such as financial management, metering, contract management, CRM,
billing and cash collection and forecasting.

"We do not want many layers between the management and customers. The
products have been developed after extensive research, and Microsoft selected
Ferranti for government-related projects in India. In addition, we will be
planning to export our products from India to the other parts of Asia and
generate employment in the country," said AF Nijkerk, Founding Chairman,
Ferranti Computer Systems. "We have more than 30 years of experience in
delivering complex mission-critical systems to the energy and utility markets.
Our technical expertise, knowledge of information systems and understanding of
the business processes in these markets puts us in a leadership position to
offer the Indian market, the IT services they need," said Richard Nijkerk,
Executive Director, Nijkerk Group.

The company operates in cooperation with various teams at Microsoft in a
partner model. "We offer scalable and customized business software which is
utility focused. The company is working with Microsoft to deliver solutions to
the market. It is important to work jointly with partners in India, and continue
with our strategic plans here," said Dirk Michiels, CEO, Ferranti India.
Ferranti maintains partnerships with key technology providers, including
Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, HP and Citrix Systems.

The formal opening of the company's Indian operations is being facilitated by
Prince Philippe of Belgium together with Steven Vanackere, Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium.

Muntazir Abbas