You'd expect Indian IT's “original garage startup” to do new things. HCL Infosystems (HCLI) does them with speed that belies its size. This product and services company has a “de-risked business model around computing”. But while you weren't looking, some extreme de-risking swung it toward mobiles, with 75% of revenues coming from telecom (including EPABXs, etc). And it redefined handset distribution and support in India.

As Nokia itself takes over distribution for half the country (in steps, so HCLI's Nokia revenues may stay flat rather than decline), HCLI has a new calling: Digital Lifestyle. It will distribute and service the iconic iPods, and digital entertainment services from DTH provider DishTV (both non-exclusive). That should be good for all, Apple and DishTV included.

Last year HCLI, which is India's top PC vendor, launched the 10K PC. And also a rugged rural PC called HCL Uday, co-developed with Intel, with C-DAC's Indian-language software; Media Center-based PCs, PCs that bundled broadband; and its own segment-specific 'LeapTop' portables. An old retail veteran, HCLI set up seven shopToshiba retail outlets for portables. Next on the cards: a second manufacturing facility at Uttaranchal. HCLI now makes PCs, servers, laptops, kiosks, and other products in Pondicherry.

Ajai Chowdhry, chairman & CEO

JV Ramamurthy, COO Rajendra Kumar, channel sales Rajiv Asija, SI & support services Rakesh Mehta, enterprise sales Hari Bhaskaran, retail distribution & marketing M Chandrasekaran, OA & ISP S Pattabiraman, peripherals division George Paul, marketing

HCLI will now use RailTel's fiber backbone to enhance its Internet, IP VPN & telephony service offerings, and wireless broadband (it has 104 POPs).

While group company HCL Tech handles the world market (and India, for application services), HCLI sells services around hardware and infrastructure, in India. And Chowdhry personally focuses on strategy and HR, a key focus: HCLI topped the best employer charts in a DQ-IDC survey last year.

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