i2 Technologies, the global frontrunner in supply chain management now fallen upon hard times, is seeking to address the Indian market with renewed vigour by changing its business model.

The technology player is aiming to become a total solutions provider which will design, build and operate business optimising capabilities for its customers. Earlier its solutions were put in place by service providers such as TCS and Satyam.

i2 will no longer just sell products and it will be targeting a 50-50 revenue ratio between products and services with maybe a little tilting towards services, said Raymond Teh, president for Asia-Pacific.

While this will take care of the need for cash to flow in when the technology market is flat on its face, i2 has also taken major steps to cut costs by ramping up its development operations in India itself.

i2 expects to add to its 1,200 development force in India which has been buttressed by as many as 160 of its senior professionals of Indian origin relocating from the US to India after the company launched a campaign last year termed 'm2i' or 'move to India.'

The shift to India has enabled the company to accelerate its core development and become a 24/7 developer.

The company is optimistic about the business prospects in the coming year in India, with a doubling of operations both in terms of volume and value, said Ashok Vasan, vice-president for Asia-Pacific of global solutions delivery.

The strategy for enticing Indian corporates will be what has been offered through their product Proton, which is described as lightweight solutions integrated with enterprise resource planning and at an affordable price.

A prime example of a robust growing corporate which has benefited from i2 solutions is the auto instrumentation company Pricol.