Information Technology is one of the most dominant and growing Industry  in the global economy today. The dynamic technological advancements in the Information Technology has influenced the use of  IT products and tools in every sector and it has become one of the a in constituents of the human endeavor. 

The state has achieved software export of Rs. 500 crore in the year 2005-06, a 25% growth over the previous year. More than 100 units registered under the STPI and around 200 units registered under DIC as IT/ITES units are operating from Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Balasore and many other parts of the state. More than 4,000 software professionals are engaged in software exports and twice that number in the domestic sector are involved in application development, software services, system integration and BPO. The state government has set up an ambitious target of exceeding Rs. 1,000 crore software exports by 2007-08.

The state has successfully managed to attract Infosys Technologies, Satyam Computer Services, TCS and WIPRO for setting up of their Development Centres in the state. Also, prominent IT Companies like MindTree Consulting and Hexaware Technologies have zeroed in on Bhubaneswar as a destination of choice for their growth in the coming years. Companies like Robert Bosch and Syntel are seriously exploring opportunities to establish their presence in Bhubaneswar. The STPI Centres at Bhubaneswar and Rourkela have been instrumental in growth of IT exports from the state. The proposed 3 rd centre at Berhampur is expected to catalyze growth across a larger geographical base in the state.

IT Parks  

The state capital, Bhubaneswar, has the following infrastructure facilities for the IT industry:

• Infocity
• Fortune Tower
• Tower 2000
• IDCO Tower

STPI incubation at Priyadarshini Market Building & Fortune Tower. In addition, INFOPARK, with 4 million sq. ft built up space is coming up near Infocity.  This project is being developed under the PPP model and is expected to be ready for occupation by IT/ITES units by September 2008. INFORPARK would be ready with additional built-up space for IT units of 6 million sq. ft. and 5 million sq. ft. in the subsequent 24 months and 48 months respectively from the first milestone i.e. September 2008. IDCO has identified nearly 200 acres of land for Infocity II in Mouza: Gauda Kashipur around 14 km from ‘Khandagiri Square' IT Specific SEZ The state government is working on creation of an IT-specific SEZ for new investments anticipated in the next two years from TCS, Wipro, Hexaware and MindTree. The land allotted / proposed for allocation to these companies in Infocity shall be covered under the SEZ scheme. INFOPARK could also be developed as a part of the proposed SEZ.

Structure

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an autonomous society under Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Department of Information Technology, Government of India has been set up with focus for promotion of software exports from the country. STPI is constantly working with the objective of implementing the STP scheme formulated by the government of India.  It is involved in setting up and managing infrastructural facilities and for providing other services including Technology Assessment and Professional Training.

For IT entrepreneurs and companies, various benefits are offered by the STPI scheme.  The details on the facilities, benefits and modalities for registration are available at www.stpi.in and www.bbs.stpi.in.

Department of Information Technology (Government of Orissa) has recently set up an Industry Facilitation & IT Investment Promotion Cell at OCAC (Orissa Computer Application Centre) to facilitate IT industries and for promotion of IT investments in the state.   The Cell has been entrusted with the following functions:-

• IT Industry Facilitation.
• IT Investment Promotion.
• ITES/BPO Investment Promotion.
• Creation of Employment Opportunities for ITES / BPO Sector.
• Placement Facilities
• Foreign Language Training Facilities