Infor expands operations, to hire 1,000 techies in Hyd

Infor, a US-based cloud enterprise resource planning provider, is increasing its investment in its Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Hyderabad, focusing on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI, cloud, and data analytics.

The company plans to expand its India operations by boosting sales and increasing its workforce by 15%-20% annually.

The Hyderabad facility, Infor's largest global technology development centre, currently employs 35%-40% of its 10,000 engineers. Frank Resnik, Executive Vice President of Global Professional Services at Infor, told TechCircle that by 2025-end, the company aims to recruit an additional 1,000 engineers in Hyderabad, particularly in advanced fields like AI and generative AI.

Infor will also invest in talent across critical areas, including cloud computing, Java development for R&D, and industry-specific solutions for sectors such as automotive, aerospace, defense, food and beverage, fashion, and manufacturing. "This expansion underscores Infor's commitment to India as a key development hub and strategic market, and the country's growing significance in global manufacturing and its evolving geopolitical role," said Resnik.

While the company has its offices in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, and Ahmedabad, the Hyderabad facility employs nearly 3,500 of Infor's 4,500 workforce in India and serves as a central hub for discrete manufacturing solutions for major clients. Currently, about 2,500 employees in Hyderabad work in technical roles, while others are in sales, operations, HR, and various functions. 

Much of the AI and generative AI development happens in Hyderabad, with a focus on innovation and enhancing customer experience, according to Mari Cross, Chief Customer Officer at Infor. She added that recent years have seen a significant rise in the adoption of cloud ERP over traditional systems, leading to personalised interactions and optimised order processing, which ultimately boosts customer satisfaction and loyalty, Cross noted.

Additionally, Resnik also informed that Infor is establishing a data centre in India in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to address data residency issues for clients, including major companies like Godrej, L&T, and Thermax. "This initiative aims to better serve its growing local customer base," he said.

Globally, Infor aims to differentiate itself from competitors like SAP and Oracle by adopting a more industry-centric approach. "Our focus on specific industries and a micro-vertical strategy allows us to offer a uniquely differentiated service, ensuring customers derive continuous value from their business applications," said Resnik.

Regarding acquisitions, he mentioned that Infor will continue to pursue opportunities to enhance its solutions and capabilities, having completed two acquisitions—Albanero and Acumen—in July 2024. These acquisitions aim to strengthen Infor's data capabilities and maintain competitiveness in the cloud and ERP markets, adding nearly a hundred employees in Hyderabad. 

The executives also believe that the future of ERP focuses on automated, touchless solutions that seamlessly integrate into organisations, minimising the need to differentiate vendors by functional depth and industry specialisation.