Riding the storm

A giant SaaS opportunity

- Pradeep Chakraborty

Delivering the keynote at the Nasscom SaaS webinar, Ajay P Sawhney, Secretary, Meity, Government of India, said, “We are very happy to launch this report. The crisis has actually made us go back to basics in our own lives. What are the optionals and what are the essentials? Digital worlds, smartphones, tablets, connectivity, were all loved before the crisis. The crisis has allowed us to have continuity, and dream of big things. It’s been clear to us for some time now.

“The Indian government had come out with the National Software Product Policy. We had laid down many initiatives that we need to pursue. Some of these schemes are the Indian software registration scheme, ICT Brand Challenge, to create major software products within India etc. There is a grand challenge within cyber security. The government also got into video conferencing products. We are also working on a model RFP for software products. HS code for software product is another area that will provide recognition for the software industry. As also does the software product development and startup accelerator programme. This is all part of the national software product policy.

“We also recognise that SaaS should not remain confined to catching up with the rest of the world. Yes, we must catch up with the world. But, we must also try and do something that is very original. Each generation has completely new thoughts. The ones that become huge in 3-5 years, how do we put enough energy into these completely new segments?”