Biz Tech

Mobile Monday launched here

Valuable step in Lanka becoming knowledge hub: ICTA COO:

The launch of Mobile Monday Colombo (MoMo) is a valuable move helping Lanka to become the ‘knowledge hub’ envisaged in the Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dekma, ICT Agency of Sri Lanka Chief Operating Officer Reshan Dewapura said.

Dewapura said so while participating at the media conference held Friday at Hotel Galadari, Colombo after the launch of Mobile Monday Colombo.

The Centre of Excellence for Telco and Mobile of the Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) in collaboration with Mobile Monday International organised the said launch of Mobile Monday Colombo.

Dewapura said ICTA was pleased to be associated with Mobile Monday (MoMo) Colombo as it would greatly contribute to make the benefits of ICT accrue to the people.

“More than four years ago President Mahinda Rajapaksa had paved the way for the speedy development of the country by taking steps to make ICT play a pivotal role in development. This has borne fruit. The ICT literacy rate which was only four percent in 2004 will be 50 to 60 percent in a few years.

The ICT BPO industry is now Sri Lanka’s fifth largest foreign exchange earner.

The mobile penetration in Sri Lanka has been astounding and on a par with the best mobile penetration in South Asia.

With about 780 million mobile phones currently in use in neighbouring India there is hope that the billionth mobile user mark in South Asia will be reached this year warranting the setting up of the Billionth Award.

We adopt a two-pronged approach towards ICT. One aspect is to use ICT as an enabler, the other is to develop ICT itself. Developing both these aspects will help Sri Lanka become the ‘knowledge hub serving as a key link between the East and the West’ and the Wonder of Asia parallel its central positions in the naval, aviation, commerce and energy sectors,” Dewapura said.

Referring specifically to IT/Mobile Dewapura emphasised: “IT/Mobile has a role both in generating employment/increasing exports as well as improving the living standards for all across the society.”

Mobile Monday (MoMo) Colombo Convenor CEO Sabre Technologies Chandima Cooray said that anyone with interest in the mobile industry could attend the MoMo.

“One of our aims is to make Sri Lanka possess all that the mobile industrialists look for when they want to hand over the turning out of a mobile phone industry product to some country/company.

Already about 90 Sri Lankan companies export their software products. When Sri Lanka has all that the mobile industrialists look for they will turn to Sri Lanka as the location for the development of their products with Sri Lankan talents and skills.

This will also give Sri Lanka the opportunity to have products turned out in a manner more suited to Sri Lankan requirements.”

Dr. Rao said although in some countries MoMo is held for about two hours once a month, in India it was held on one Saturday in three months for a longer period. ‘People who spend a long time travelling to the venue of the MoMo caught up in the traffic do not want to spend only two hours on the MoMo,” Dr. Rao said.

While Dr. Rao explained the Indian experience, MoMo Tokyo co-founder and expert of mobile in Japan Lars Cosh-ishii and MoMo Johannesburg/Africa co-founder and mobile learning expert Teemu Kiijarvi explained the experiences respectively in Tokyo and Johannesburg. SLASSCOM Chairman / CEO hSenid Dinesh Saparamadu said that SLASSCOM as an organisation would spearhead making Sri Lanka a place sought after for knowledge based services.

Student designs low cost optical 3-D scanner

Uva Wellassa University is the first ever entrepreneurial university in Sri Lanka. It fulfils the requirement of producing undergraduates with entrepreneurial skills much needed for the country. Daily News Business highlighted its importance recently.

This is the first of a series of articles based on final year student research reports on value addition which will be useful for industrialists as well as readers. Interested parties can contact the Uva Welassa University.

Nalinda A.N. Ranasinghe, a final year student, specializing in Mechatronics under the Science and Technology Degree program did a project titled ‘Low cost optical 3-D scanner for surface registration of simple objects’ with the objective of designing and implementing a low cost 3-D laser scanner device that is capable of scanning and reconstruction of 3-D models of simple objects.

This scanner is capable in scanning both simple and complex objects with sufficient accuracy. It was developed using a laser light and a digital still camera.

Both devices are driven by a software module running on a standard PC. This acquisition module records the position of the laser line projected on the object.

Sequence of photos is taken around the 3-D object and software running on the computer constructs the 3-D model.

It has a number of commercial values.Potential uses of 3-D scanning technology in the Sri Lankan industries are endless. These devices can be used extensively by the entertainment industry in the production of high valued movies and video games.

Other common applications of this technology include industrial design, orthotics and prosthetics, reverse engineering and prototyping, quality control/inspection and documentation of cultural artifacts.

Reconstruct 3-D replicas of precious artifacts, national monuments are possible application. These replicated models have higher demand in local and international markets. Another application area is the garment industry. The 3-D scanner enables us to examine the human body in ways never before possible, including the shape of a cross section, slice area, surface area, and volume.

A 3-D scanner can conveniently obtain very accurate and complete body measurements.

Major advantage of the 3-D body scanner is that the system does not require a person to remove any clothing in order to take the measurement. This not only makes the body measurement process much more convenient for the customer, it also eliminates the need for changing rooms. This technology can be used to manufacture custom stitched highly value added garments for international markets.

Local film industry can also be benefited by new technologies like this. A 3-D scanner can analyze a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and/or appearance. The data can then be used to construct three-dimensional, digital models. Scenery and characters are some examples of the effects that can be enhanced while using this technology to create high valued movies with incredibly realistic animations.

3-D scanning is also used in quality control/inspection. It can precisely analyze the “as-built” condition of parts after they have been manufactured. Typically, non-contact technology is used to quickly inspect the overall shape and size of parts, quickly detecting issues such as overall scale issues.

A 3-D scanner is a device that analyzes a real three dimensional object to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance. The collected data can then be used to construct digital, three dimensional models useful for a wide variety of applications. 3-D scanning technology can be used to produce highly value added products in existing local industries.

3-D scanning technology has evolved in the last few years, but the development is slow due to the high costs involved in development process. This discourages the use of this technology in many third world countries. A final year student N.A.N Ranasinghe, specializing in Mechatronics under Science and Technology Degree Program was able to design a prototype of a new 3-D scanner based on consumer electronic technology. Local film industry can also be benefited by new technologies like this. A 3-D scanner can analyze a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and/or appearance.

The data can then be used to construct three-dimensional, digital models. Scenery and characters are some examples of the effects that can be enhanced while using this technology to create high valued movies with incredibly realistic animations. 3-D scanning also used in quality control/inspection. It can precisely analyze the ‘as-built’ condition of parts after they have been manufactured.

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

PC House, Dell brief clients

PC House in partnership with Dell, recently conducted a focus group event aimed at exploring the latest technology available in Sri Lanka.

The event turned around the latest Dell personal computer product line available at PC House and the various top-of-the-range technologies that make the product what it is.

The Latitude 13 range, which combines the best of Microsoft software, Intel processors and Dell technology is tipped to be the ground breaking device that will not just enhance the users experience and efficiency, but also contribute to a greener environment through a reduced carbon footprint.

Aimed at cutting down on the cost of maintenance and overall IT spending in organizations, the new range of Dell products available at PC House are able to provide what others cannot - high quality at an affordable price with the promise of continued efficiency for a long period of time.

Virtusa Campus Reach advances

As part of the Campus Reach initiative, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Asian Operations Virtusa Corporation, Keith Modder, recently conducted a discussion on Career Development and prospects existing in a rapidly evolving global IT industry, for 80 undergraduates from the Moratuwa University Computer Science and Engineering Faculty.

The objective of the session was to share insights and benefits to those who are pursuing their careers in the IT stream.

The in-depth interactive session included counsel and guidance on the importance of IQ, EQ and the relevance of communication in the IT industry.

Students were able to grasp an array of industry’s best practices and discuss issues pertaining to their career.

The session ended with a tour of the state-of-the-art Virtusa World Technology Centre.