Aptech and SSI combined - A NEW FORCE in IT EDUCAT. Review on SSI, Mumbai

The recent acquisition of Aptech by SSI may change the dynamics of the IT education business. SSI’s recent acquisition of Mumbai-based IT education and training company — the Rs 223.79 crore Aptech, is a very good move in a competitive business environment. It is a move which SSI believes catapults it from the number three position to top of the heap in the domestic business. SSI’s market share has zoomed from 10 per cent to 27 per cent, which the company believes is a percentage point more than NIIT. However, there are disputes about the share of business held by NIIT and its rivals. With 750 centres, SSI is Indiacentric with a major presence in the south. Aptech, on the other hand, has about 2,450 centres in 52 countries. It has a poor presence in southern India even as it is particularly strong in China (50 centres) and south America. This would help SSI to achieve its global dreams. SSI hopes to leverage Aptech’s reach and start offering short term courses in some of its weaker zones — north and east India. Aptech will rely on SSI’s network to penetrate the south. Contentwise SSI specialises in short term courses in emerging technologies including Oracle, Java, Dotnext and e-comm. These typically run for two to three months and are largely favoured by IT personnel looking for skill enhancements. Its only long term course is branded Impact, which has met with little success.

Aptech, on the other hand, is strong in long term — one to two years —courses. It has a virtual monopoly in the multimedia space with its Arena multimedia offering.