Melbourne ICT Company Comes of Age, Goes Global

Melbourne ICT Company Comes of Age, Goes Global


Media release - 27 April 2007

Melbourne-based ICT company, Oakton Limited, has come of age in its 18th year, with the formal opening of its first overseas office in Hyderabad, India, by the Victorian Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Tim Holding, today.

Mr Holding, in India for a series of high level talks with Indian ICT companies, said it made great sense to see Oakton’s first foray into the international market being to India.

"Oakton’s expansion into India gives the company more significant access to a second global ICT hotspot, with its operation now based in two of the worlds key new technology economies," Mr Holding said.

"The move also shows just how strongly the Victorian ICT sector is competing on an international scale. We have a common political and economic heritage, some great sporting links and some highly valuable relationships with the Indian ICT sector."

The new office follows Oakton’s outstanding domestic growth, with revenues of about AUD $77million last year, 600 employees in its Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane offices and Australian Stock Exchange listing since 2000.

Oakton's Managing Director, Neil Wilson said: “We are growing very rapidly in Australia at the moment and we are very excited about expanding into India. We aim to have 200 people working in the Hyderabad office by 2009. This is all about growing international scale to compete effectively with global ICT services organisations."

Vice President of Oakton's India operation, Phil O’Brien, said: "The new office will initially complete work for Australian clients, and as the capability expands in scale the facility, will have the potential to service overseas clients if this becomes a future direction for Oakton."

Mr Holding will be visiting Hyderabad during his India trip, further cementing the already strong ties between the Victorian and Indian ICT sectors.

"The Bracks Government's hands-on approach to building strong business relations with India has paid dividends, with Victoria home to leaders of the Indian ICT industry," he said.

On 25th April, the Mr Holding announced up to 50 new high-tech IT jobs would be coming to Melbourne, through Indian IT firm, Infinite Computer Solutions.

"Eight of NASSCOM’s (India's National Association of Software and Service Companies) top-15 software and services companies have head offices in Melbourne, employing over 2000 people," he said.

"Since October 1999, the Bracks Government has directly facilitated AUD $1.5 billion in capital investment in the ICT sector and secured more than 10,000 new jobs."