Latest Update 24-4-08

Security vendor McAfee has plans to invest $30 million in its Indian operations to spruce up its R&D activity and strengthen its channels.

The company’s India Development Center was opened in Bangalore in 2002 and has been responsible for creating its online anti-virus solution which boasts of over 5 million customers globally. The bulk of the proposed funds will be directed towards increasing its R&D activities.

In January 2008, the company had launched a Preferred Partner Program, where in addition to the profit margin on the product sold, the company is offering a rebate as well.

“Since inception, we have invested over $80 million in our India operations and plan to add $30 million to that this year. With almost 25 percent of our global employees located in India, we are committed to our operations here. We will increase our head count for our R&D activities and will look at adding new functionality to the mid-market product range,” said Darrell Rodenbaugh, Senior VP, Global Mid-Market Business, McAfee.

Through its recently launched program, the company hopes to improve its channel relationships by offering priority support to those partners who have signed up in sales and tech support. Currently, they have signed on 30 partners, and plan to reach 100 by the end of the year. As part of this program, these partners will have access to a marketing fund which will help them tap opportunities.

Rodenbaugh added,“We are growing at over 30 percent year-on-year and we need dedicated support from our channel partners to sustain it. With this program, we will expect our partners to have a dedicated approach for selling our product line in the country.”