Force10 Networks is all set to expand its India presence. Currently operating and having R&D center in Chennai, Force10 is now looking to work with key system integrators in the country in order to be able to deliver its solutions to the Indian customers. According to Sachi Sambandan, VP-Engineering, Force10 Networks, “Our channel model in India would be very similar to the models we have outside. Local system integrators would be very critical for us. We are in talks with both the tier one system integrators like Wipro, TATA and the HCL and also the tier two system integrators in order to get our partnership moving.”

Force10 is looking to sign up about five to six system integrators in India who understand the nitty-gritties of networking, and would focus on service providers and large enterprises that cater to the government, oil and gas, software product development and research verticals. “In essence anyone working with super computing could be our target customer. We are in talks with many of them and the next six months could see some valuable sign ups. Our current focus would continue to be the enterprise sector. We would think of tapping into the SMB space at a later, since we believe in building on our current strengths before venturing into new market segments,” Sambandan indicated. Force10 would go-to-market together with its SI partners and would provide them relevant training, sales and after sales support along with information on likely customers to maximize their business opportunities in the India market.

Apart of channel growth, Force10 is also looking to establish a full-fledged sales team in India. On the anvil is the setting up of sales and pre-sales offices in Bangalore and Mumbai. “In addition to sales, we are also working to expand our Chennai R&D center and would be looking to add about 30 more people for R&D and 20 people for customer support by the year end,” Sambandan said.

Subbalakshmi BM

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