Software giant Microsoft is examining a proposal to make Xavier Labour Relations Institute a centre for excellence for its products. The focus would be on enterprise resource planning packages for the managers of tomorrow, XLRI sources said.
"Microsoft evinced interest in making XLRI a Center for Excellence," said A K Pani, head of information systems department at XLRI.
XLRI would get Microsoft ERP packages -- Navision and Axapta -- for academic use. Meant for mid-size units, these generally cost between Rs 3-20 lakh (Rs 30-200 million). Navision caters to the lower end of mid-size companies, Axapta is meant for the upper end of the segment or companies with turnover of Rs 5-50 crore (Rs 50-Rs 500 million). "These packages provide best practices - customising and implementation are done by a consultancy," said Pani.
"XLRI would like to know whether Microsoft would provide training, hardware and small projects that the students can handle," said Pani.
XLRI was exploring a similar tie-up with SAP, a major player in the ERP sector. SAP ERP packages, generally for large-scale companies, cost Rs 20-100 crore (Rs 200 million-Rs 1 billion).
Tata Steel has implemented SAP for Rs 80 crore. XLRI can conduct training programmes for local entrepreneurs to make them aware of the benefits of ERP, Pani said.
