Microsoft to create over 100 commercial apps in 6 months

Technology giant Microsoft launched a contest for independent software vendors (ISVs) and technology start-ups in India to create over 100 applications (apps) and solutions for businesses and governments in the next six months.

The contest, Code for Honour, is supported by a panel of organisations including the National Informatics Centre (NIC), IT-ITeS industry body NASSCOM, TiE, Nokia, Nokia App Campus, Intel and BarrierBreak.

Launching the contest, Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt Ltd Chairman Bhaskar Pramanik said: "With the proliferation of devices and cloud-based services, governments, businesses and other organisations are seeking to interact with customers, partners and other stakeholders securely and reliably."

There is an opportunity to create commercial apps beyond the traditional ERP and other transactional systems, he added.

"Code for Honour will kick-start the creation of apps and solutions that are scalable, reliable and secure and that can be used over public, private and hybrid clouds," he said.

The contest, which will run for over six months, is open to over 5,000 ISVs and tech start-ups in India. Any Indian ISV or tech start-up that is less than eight years old is eligible to participate in the contest, Pramanik added.

The ISVs and start-ups can develop apps and solutions in four broad categories on enterprise apps and solutions (HR, Finance, Marketing, Sales etc), micro, small and medium enterprise apps and solutions, government enablement and citizen services.

On the revenue sharing model, Microsoft India Chief Evangelist and General Manager Joseph Landes said: "Till USD 25,000, 75 per cent revenue will be given to the developer and the rest will go to Microsoft and for over-USD 25,000 80 per cent will go to the developer and rest to Microsoft."

Over the last two years, developers and ISVs in India have contributed significantly to Windows and Windows Phone stores. The rich developer ecosystem in India makes it the ideal place for developing commercial applications, he added.

"The reality of multi-device, multi-screen experiences is reshaping how developers think, build and monetise apps for consumption across the world," Microsoft Corporate Vice President and Chief Evangelist Steve Guggenheimer said.

With the best-in-class guidance, Code for Honor contest will challenge developers to build apps that have large-scale impact both for India and the world, he added.