"The company would be expanding into related, but widening, markets of product data management (PDM), and web enabling engineering applications," says Mr. Shashank Patkar, chief executive, Software Development.

The company has contracted with SDRC for developing its Metaphase software offshore, and subsequently implementing it on site. The PDM market, which is estimated to be over $4 billion, is expected to grow at 40 per cent. "For Geometric, it is a logical extension from our current strength in CAD/CAM software development," says Mr. Patkar. He estimates the PDM pie to be substantial. "It is an upcoming area, all engineering CAD users would require PDM," he says, "We are aggressively pursuing this market."

The second area of expansion is in web enabling engineering applications. Here, Geometric has no niche knowledge entry barriers; unlike in the specialised areas of CAD/CAM/CAE that it works in. "The skill sets are widely available, but we score through our technological background and our engineering domain knowledge," says Mr. Patkar.

Through web enabling engineering applications, factory based applications can be transported intranet or over the internet. An example is that of sheet metal users who can optimise material utilisation. "Using our web enabled engineering applications for cutting parts and plates, companies can decide as to which piece can be cut where across different locations," explains Patkar. "It is Geometric's skills in nesting technology which gives it an edge over the competition."

The two new focus areas are expected to help the company register a 40 per cent topline and 60-70 per cent bottomline growth in fiscal 2000-01.