Applications
Microsoft bullish on India expansion strategy
MUMBAI: Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd., has announced aggressive geographical plans to strengthen its presence in India. It is slated to open offices in six additional cities in India, including Ahmedabad, Indore, Nagpur, Chandigarh Cochin, and Coimbatore. This would take its presence to thirteen cities, up from the existing seven cities. According to an official statement issued by the firm, the expansion strategy will include establishing a direct sales infrastructure, broadening partner eco-system and market education initiatives and programs. With an enhanced presence Microsoft will enable the small and mid market organizations to easily access a comprehensive portfolio of its products and services, faster deployment of customised solutions and increased support from both Microsoft and its partners. |
The expansion plan is in keeping with Microsoft‘s vision to empower a broad section of small and mid market organizations understand better, the role which technology can play in driving growth and competitiveness, of the local industry ,in the local and global arena. The direct team in each city will be supported by respective regional branches for functional expertise as per Microsoft‘s hub and spoke model. Microsoft will also forge relationships with Industry Associations in each city to understand and address local business challenges. Under the geo expansion plan Microsoft will work with broad channel partners to impart information on Microsoft products and licensing to serve IT needs of the business customers in the territory. Microsoft also aims at catalyzing its ISV partners to provide localized solutions for the market. |
| Announcing the geo expansion plan Microsoft India MD Neelam Dhawan said, “Small and Medium Businesses are playing a key role in driving India‘s growth. We remain committed to help them utilize technology for empowering their people; address consumer needs better and streamline their businesses. Our presence in these cities will achieve this much more effectively”. Small and Mid Market Solutions and Partner Group Director Rajeev Mittal said, “Our partners have been providing solutions and services to the customers in a lot of these cities already. We believe that being present there physically will help our partners provide better solutions, services and support and faster turnaround time. Our direct presence will also instill confidence in our existing and potential customers.” The channel engagement will be under the Microsoft Partner Programme (MSPP) framework. Microsoft hopes to strengthen as well as invigorate its partner ecosystem in the respective areas so as to help them accelerate the pace of their delivery and thereby their success in meeting the needs of business customers in the area, adds the release. Wipro Technologies vice president corporate business unit Anil K. Jain said, “Microsoft‘s geo expansion initiative to reach out to local businesses is a step in the right direction to deliver value both to customers as well as the partners in these markets. Microsoft‘s direct presence in non metro markets will further strengthen the partner ecosystem as well as inspire greater understanding and trust in its offerings within local business community. We are committed to work together to drive IT as a tool for business advantage among SMEs, along with Microsoft.” |
Applications
With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
