Alok Singh is on cloud nine post the launch of their new project of providing server-centric computing through MTNL lines in Delhi. He now plans to scale-up their operations across the country

Server-centric computing has been an enterprise objective. Do you intend to provide this to high-end home users, as they are increasingly showing an interest in using technology for entertainment, education and security applications?
Server-centric computing is not just for high-end users but everyone who uses a PC. It is very different from thin clients, which is an enterprise objective. We intend to provide server-based computing to homes. Users have options of using flash drives, DVD/CD drives and a hardisk locally, and it is nothing different from home PC.

Through it, one can enjoy an unlimited technology for entertainment and education purpose with all facilities of home computing. It is a myth that PCs are mainly used for education purpose. They are now being mostly used for entertainment and surfing Internet, and we offer both of them at a very low cost, as compared to other PCs. Users can make use of Internet very effectively. The server-based computing is really secure, as there is no need for AMCs and upgradation of the existing configuration. One can even use Windows Vista more efficiently and work in .Net applications without any strain, and use Internet without the fear of virus attacks, which have been a major concern for the home users.

What all challenges do you face in providing server-centric computing to personalized users?
Increased dependence on network is a major challenge that we face in providing server-centric computing. Even if one needs to open and work in a word file or PowerPoint file, network is a must in server-based computing. While on the other hand, one doesn't need network for their home PCs. But now everything has become an Internet-centric operation, even while using a home PC. If there is a slice in network support, then it would be hard for the end-users in server-based computing. But now broadband connections are provided to the core without any major concerns, and things are becoming better. The scenario will continue to improve and the challenges would be dealt with in a more proficient manner.

Alok Singh CEO, Novatium Solutions

Providing low-cost PCs has become a trend in the industry but not many have been successful in this venture. Why did Novatium venture into this segment? How are your products different from those available in the market?
The PCs we provide do not come under the category of low-cost PCs. Initially when we proposed such a system and worked on it, we too were surprised to see the cost it involved and the price point was incidental. We are a profit organization and we don't make products for subsidies. This PC is more consumerish than computerish. The power situation in the country is very bad and for this, users don't need to install UPS. They can even use it when there is no power at all. The USP of the product is simplicity.

Everyone talks about launching low-cost PCs but no one has launched it. Two-years back, we promised that we would launch a low-cost PC and we have lived up to our words. Soon, every home would be using our PCs. The market is already mature and people are waiting for such products to float into the market. The future seems very interesting.

What is your business strategy in installing this project?
We would carry this project by ourselves through our telecom partners like MTNL, as we are doing in Delhi at present. We already have a successful pilot project at KK Nagar in Chennai. A proper team is deployed for handling the project.

Apart from MTNL, which other telecom providers are you planning to rope in for providing this service in places like Tamil Nadu? Give details about the project.
The project constitutes a keyboard, mouse and a monitor, and the set-up would cost just Rs 5,000. The server would be placed at a nearby location and one can access the server through a broadband connec-tion with 30 hours package of Internet utility for a monthly rental of Rs 399. Currently, we have launched this project in Delhi with MTNL and plan to scale the operation to two more states. In Tamil Nadu, we would go with the existing service providers in the state, like Bharati Telecom, BSNL etc. In two years time, we would like to scale-up our operation across the country.

Your project is possible only where broadband service is available and most of the rural places don't have broadband connectivity. These are the people who actually would require a low-cost PC. How do you plan to tap the rural market?
Currently, our project is being deployed only in urban areas. This is an urban initiative and we want to scale-up the process in all the cities first and then capture rural areas. Since connectivity is the need of the hour, we are concentrating completely in areas where the connectivity is entirely flawless.

It is true that people in rural areas are in need for the low-cost PCs but we have to look at connectivity concerns also. Things are improving and soon we would focus on rural areas too.

A majority of your applications are Linux-based, which are mostly implemented with Windows-based servers. Does that pose as a challenge?
Yes of course, it is challenging to provide Linux-based servers to people who are used to Windows. But we have taken this into account and created the project for both Windows and Linux-based servers.

So this won't be a matter of concern in our server-centric computing, and the users have two options to select from.

Brief us about the triple play services offered by Novatium. What do you think of the future of this market, seeing as IPTV has not made its mark till date?
Triple play service is the need of the hour. Novatium offers triple play, through which voice, video and data input and output are being provided from their system. Every computer provides this service but Novatium provides this in a more efficient manner, as the server-centric operation has no bounds for processors or RAM. Thus, more effective service can be provided. It is not an IPTV but a totally different segment altogether.

What are your plans for the future? Does channel play a role in your business model?
For the road ahead, we plan to make this project an intensive one and would try to scale up the process across the country. For now, we don't have any plans for the channels, as it is being provided directly through us.

We have plans to bring it across the telecom channels and provide it like a pre-paid service that could be available in mobile shops.

NR SETHuraman
sethuramannr@cybermedia.co.in

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