Bangalore: "India CoE (Center of Excellence) is the microcosm of EMC," says Jeffrey M Nick, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President, EMC. "The large presence of India in EMC is also reflected in the innovative ideas submitted by India CoE. Out of 1400 submissions, which are nearly 50 percent more than last year, 617 ideas were submitted by Indian center," adds Nick.

Realizing this, EMC, a provider of information infrastructure solutions, is expanding its operation across the world and South East Asia is expected to play an important role in its growth. To strengthen its presence in this region, the Massachusetts based company opened a new R&D and services complex in Bangalore last month, which would initially employ 2,000 people and has room for 3,500.

It is the largest R&D center out of its headquarters in Massachusetts. Innovative ideas play very important role in EMC, as the company believes that the ideas are intended to deliver value today, while developing a vision for the future.

The company has been organizing innovation conference for three years, which is a company-wide competition to encourage its employees to present fresh and innovative ideas. The conference is also intended to provide platform for employees to come up with new technology innovations for the IT industry.

The company is not leaving any stone unturned to tap the Indian market. It has planned to invest $1.5 billion in the next five years. Sarv Saravanan, Vice President and Managing Director, EMC said, "The incremental investment is focused on three key areas that would take EMC India to its next phase of growth. They include expanding R&D infrastructure at the India CoE in Bangalore, increasing global services capabilities at the India CoE and adding more technologists to drive deeper levels of engagement and support for local customers and partners." This investment marks the return of investment in Indian IT industry after a drought for a year.

For EMC, India has emerged as one of the top three fastest growing region across the world. The company is also planning to build a global security center by early 2010. Nick said, "India is well positioned to take the leadership position in the next generation IT market."