Tech Mahindra partners with Microsoft for connected services sandbox

Mumbai: IT services and solutions provider to the telecommunications industry Tech Mahindra Limited (TechM) has announced its participation in Microsoft''s ''connected services sandbox'' programme that brings together systems integrators (SIs), independent software vendors (ISVs), developers, network equipment providers, and telecommunications service providers in a collaborative environment to develop and test new communications services.

Microsoft Corporation launched the Connected Services Sandbox programme at International Telecommunication Union''s telecom world in December 2006. The goal of the sandbox is to encourage the development and deployment of new service offerings, creating new opportunities for Sandbox participants, and delivering new options for consumers and businesses.

The sandbox will initially offer a number of Microsoft products and solutions for participants to utilise, such as Microsoft connected services framework, Microsoft solution for hosted messaging and collaboration, and Microsoft MapPoint.

In addition, participants will have access to a number of services, including device virtualization, network abstraction, order handling, billing, customer care, and unlimited third party Web services, such as weather, traffic, hotel reservations, news, stocks and combinations of these services that can be integrated.

Tech Mahindra is one of the launch partners for the Connected Services Sandbox.