Microsoft Corporation India and HCL Infosystems have announced plans for the creation of a joint Centre of Excellence (CoE) for development of vertical specific customised solution frameworks for India; the launch of Windows OS enabled laptop under the MiLeap brand of HCL leaptops; and generating an industry ready workforce certified in Microsoft technologies at the HCL Career Development Centres.  

Kevin Turner, Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft Corporation, said, "For over 22 years, Microsoft and HCL have partnered with each other to promote the use of information technology in India.  We are delighted to reinforce this association and empower Indian consumers and businesses with the latest and best that technology has to offer."

The CoE will leverage the System Integration capabilities of HCL and Microsoft’s suite of products in the area of IT requirement of customers across verticals, which include Telecom, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Power, Defense, Retail, eGovernance, Media & Entertainment, and MS based horizontal solutions in Health, Railways and Airports.

Commenting on the various initiatives announced, Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman & CEO, HCL Infosystems Ltd said, "HCL & Microsoft have always brought value to each other, while jointly working towards propelling wider acceptance for IT amongst the masses. Both HCL and Microsoft are key players in the Indian market, and this alliance has brought value to the Indian customer with over three decades of innovation, passion and defining of markets. I am sure that this alliance will further enable overall development in our country with IT as the key enabler."

Adding to this, Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India, said, "All three initiatives announced today are very significant to our continual efforts at partnering the Indian industry in its quest for success by leveraging the power of IT  and enabling the  uptake of IT across India."