Indian market key to Microsoft's future: Ballmer

Microsoft CEO Steven A Ballmer made a passionate presentation, introducing India to the Microsoft Cloud concept in front of a huge gathering in New Delhi on Thursday.

In his talk at the inaugural session of 'Cloud Summit: Enabling Inclusive Innovation,' an event jointly organized by CII and Microsoft, Ballmer announced the launch of the Office 365 Cloud service in June.

He underlined the key importance of the Indian market to Microsoft.

Explaining the vision behind Microsoft developing the Cloud Computing technology, Steve said, "It starts from a fundamental understanding that technology needs to get simpler and more human over the next four to five years."

"The first element is developing natural human interfaces which recognize basic human characteristics like voice and touch. The evolution of technology is such that it should be working the way people work," he said.

He elaborated, "Touch technology has not replaced keyboards but it has undoubtedly added a new dimension to computing. Cloud Computing represents that technology which understands you, your intent and takes action accordingly."

"The second element is that differences in languages and interpretation need to be bridged to make computing and therefore conduct business easier. When one searches for some information on a search engine, more than 50 per cent of times you get links that are not relevant. More often than not, you press the back button," Ballmer said.

Cloud Computing can help you get the information you are looking for in an organized manner. Natural user interface and natural language will shape the products we continue to develop and Cloud Computing will facilitate this transformation," he explained.

"I see a future with more and more miniature devices, mobile phones are good examples, which become more powerful and more capable," Steve said.

"We are looking at Cloud to use the Internet as a programming interface. Generation 1 of the Internet saw people putting up content on the Internet. Generation two has seen the element of interactivity added to it. Now, the third generation will see use of the Internet as a programming interface," said the Microsoft CEO.

"Cloud will automate and operate applications quickly so that people can learn and consume information in a interesting manner. It will analyze and take action. In this field, Cloud will enable simulation of the physical world in its virtual format," Ballmer said.

"The possibilities of such applications are endless for fields such as biotechnology, medicine, geophysics, chemistry, etc. Cloud will help create, collaborate and share the fruits of such analysis and tests. It will help people in enjoying real-time interactive games and socialize between themselves," he pointed out.

Saying the Office 365 Cloud Service which will include Lync would help employers, employees, trading partners and consumers to understand each other better, Steve said it would make business seamless and easy.

Steve highlighted the importance of the Indian market and said, "Our partnership with Nokia about the Windows Phone in India show we are serious about India. We want to focus on touch-optimized devices."

He also spoke of the Microsoft Mindz product which is a high-scale, high-storage application being used by leading Indian businesses like Wipro, Infosys, Adhunik Group, KPIT Cummins, Godrej Industries, HCL etc.

In conclusion, Steve said: "The key to life in terms of technology is to look forward , before anybody else beats you to it. You have to think what is better, what you want, what your employees want. Cloud Computing will enable the use of IT more productively and it is imperative that India which is a major developer of computer programmes makes use of this technology."

Earlier in his opening remarks, Vinayak Chatterjee, Chairman, CII National Task Force on Regulatory Framework in Infrastructure , said, "CII has been deeply engaged with various stakeholders and the government to ensure that India and Indian industry makes the most of the opportunities that cloud computing has to offer."

"CII is in the process of finalizing its report on Cloud Computing which would be released soon and would be presented to the government and relevant regulators for their perusal," he added.