Chennai, Feb 19 (IANS) The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras here this week got a new laboratory from Microsoft India for its computer sciences department, built at a cost of Rs.9 million. The Microsoft Windows Technologies Lab will provide a platform for students and faculty to use it for a variety of research, said T.A. Gonsalves, departmental head of computer science education at the institute.

The focus in the lab will be on Windows Terminal services, device drivers, networking protocols, windows mobile and multi-modal localisation.

Six Indian companies, including Tata Consultancy Service, also will use the Microsoft lab.

Microsoft Corp’s Vice-President Will Poole Monday said experts from the company will visit the lab and hold workshops and help the institution with research and innovation.

The official also said Microsoft was “still interested” in Yahoo!