Microsoft entices system builders to explore education segment

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DQC Bureau
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Microsoft has come up with value proposition for system builders to explore business opportunities in the education segment with its Office Student and Teacher (S&T) Edition 2003. "We have reduced the cost barrier through the S&T Edition, for underprivileged students to adopt technology in their education process. This in return is giving systems integrators (SIs) an opportunity to explore the huge business that lies in the education segment," said Karthik Padmanabhan, Business Group Head, Microsoft Corporation India.

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The Office S&T Edition, priced at Rs 6,950, is available through high-traffic retail outlets like Planet M, bookstores and computer peripheral outlets across the country. Microsoft is planning to reach a million homes with this low priced package specifically designed for students and teachers. "To reach a million homes, we would be tying up with around 150 to 200 schools in 12 cities in a period of 12 to 18 months," said
Karthik.

Around 300 academic resellers of Microsoft are already serving the school segment from 10 cities. However, Microsoft wants many more partners to ride on this low-priced offering and increase PC penetration among students and teachers of smaller cities.

The project focuses on getting parents, teachers and students to connect, so that parents can track the child's progress by interacting with the teachers through mediums such as web. Of the million homes Microsoft is targeting with this program, many are yet to experience a PC at home. The vendor wants SIs to ride on the low cost offering from Microsoft for students and teachers, while promoting their PCs and services around it. "As PC and broadband penetration increases, we hope to enhance the education of individuals in less privileged communities by expanding access to information technology in the remotest corner of the country," added
Karthik.

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