Pune CMDA members turn Smart

Computer and Media Dealers Association (CMDA), Pune has come out with a

project of providing smart cards to its members, which is meant to be a

membership card for CMDA members. This is probably the first time any industry

association in the country has decided to launch smart cards for its members.

CMDA Secretary, Sunil Gugale said, "CMDA has over 260 odd members. This

ID card carries a photograph of owners or proprietors and will be given to each

partner or director of the respective company. The ID card contains name of the

person, the company name, blood group and validity period."

He added that these are contactless smart cards, which contain all the

information of the member and his company in it. The cards are expected to come

in handy when attending CMDA meetings. Every member can now just flash his card

before the card reader. Sunil said that it would help in keeping track of

attendance and response to various issues related to the association.

He also informed that CMDA plans to bring in a lot of value to the smart

cards in terms of special discounts and benefits to this card by tying up with

various health clubs, blood banks, medical laboratories, libraries, insurance

companies, resorts and hotels. Members can avail all these benefits just by

producing their smart membership ID card at these specific locations.

Rajesh Chaudhari, who executed the project, said, "This is the first

time any computer dealers association has done this. We have made it contact

less, keeping in mind future upgrades and various usage models. Also this goes

very well with a real IT association's ID card."

According to him, the main constraints in making this cards was with

collection and feeding in accurate data with photos, blood groups and other

vital details of the members. The project however has been completed on time.

CMDA is also considering the possibility of setting up a technical solutions

bank on its website to promote technical training for its members. At the

general body meeting held, Sunil outlined the roadmap for CMDA for the

forthcoming year. He said that the association would form a technical forum that

would conduct technical training for the members. "A technical solutions

bank would also be placed on site that would help solve any technical

difficulties faced by the members," he further added. CMDA is also going in

for an ISO certification in the next two years.

A knowledge bank is also on the cards to study the legal issues related to

various taxes. The three former presidents of CMDA now form part of the newly

formed advisory committee. These include Suresh Joshi, John Thomas and Sham

Bhandari. These members will offer their expertise to the association in times

of need. The new CDMA president Anil Pherwani urged the members to bring in at

least two members each and put in efforts to promote the activities of the

association.

NANDA KASABE



(CyberMedia News)