BIZ TECH

Panasonic, Softlogic launches:

Viera Plasma TV

Panasonic together with Softlogic took the Sri Lankan audio visual experience to the next level with the launch of the Panasonic full HD 3D Viera Plasma TV. Sri Lankan viewers can now join billions of viewers around the globe to enjoy the magic, mystique, and exhilarating appeal of the revolutionary Panasonic 3D Viera Plasma TV technology.

For many people, the general understanding of 3D images is that they “leap out of the screen.” For example, seeing, a dinosaur’s head right out in front of you and unconsciously backing away from it are part of the fun of 3D images.

However with the Panasonic FULL HD 3D Viera Plasma TV, a Blu-ray Disc Player and 3D Eyewear, one soon realises that the leaping image effect is only part of the appeal of 3D. The first thing that will leave a strong impression is the incredible feeling of depth and expansiveness. Added to this are the amazingly realistic luster and texture of the FULL HD 3D images displayed on the Panasonic FULL HD 3D Viera Plasma TV.

Japan Panasonic Corporation Associate Director Masaru Maruo, who was present on this special occasion, said that he was happy to share the magic of Panasonic’s revolutionary technology with thousands of discerning Sri Lankans. “Panasonic is proud to be an inventor at the cutting edge of technological innovation, and we will be unveiling its exciting range of industry-leading FULL HD 3D Viera Plasma TV for the ultimate entertainment experience today together with our very important partner, Softlogic.

“Panasonic Full HD 3D Viera Plasma TV is far superior to other 3D systems with the new 2010 models boasting of an incredible 5,000,000:1 native contrast ratio, which is 2.5 times that of the previous Plasma Viera TVs that are renowned for providing images with deep, expressive blacks. The highly rated moving picture resolution of earlier models has also been increased. With dramatic improved image quality, energy consumption reduced by 40 percent compared with 2009 models. For enjoyment of high quality images when watching different kinds of content including 3D, right now no other at thin TV can be more recommended more,” he said.

Authorised Distributor for Panasonic Consumer Electronics and home appliances in Sri Lanka Softlogic Holdings Chairman Ashok Pathirage said, “We are delighted to join hands with Panasonic, a longstanding partner of Softlogic in introducing to the market the revolutionary Panasonic FULL HD 3D Viera Plasma TV technology.

This creates a significant milestone for the industry as a whole as the Sri Lankan consumer too can now have access to the world class Panasonic superior technology of 3D Plasma TV. Softlogic has always been at the forefront of offering our loyal customers the best technology and products that help enable a superior lifestyle and this launch is another testimony of that initiative together with Panasonic. We are also pleased to showcase the impressive full product line-up of Panasonic to the market through this launch.”

Panasonic products covering the complete range of Full HD 3D Plasma TVs, LCD TVs, Bluray DVD players, Audio setups, home appliances, ranging from energy saving air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, 360 degree irons, rice cookers, beauty care products and a host more are available at all Softlogic Max stores and Softlogic showrooms islandwide and with appointed authorized dealers. Many attractive offers in the form of Free gifts and amazing discounts are in store for the customer in all product categories to make them proud owners of the world class technology of Panasonic in all showrooms.

AppZone mobile applications competition now on

Etisalat and hSenid’s Mobile Application Eco-System, the AppZone will launch its AppZone mobile applications competition on September 28; giving University students one month to submit applications and compete in one of the most rewarding competitions.

Since Etisalat partnered with hSenid Mobile in launching the country’s first mobile application platform, users were able to browse and download applications, in addition to significantly creating the opportunity for non-professional Sri-Lankan mobile application developers to create, test and sell their own unique applications.

As a following phase to this unique setting of the stage for all budding Sri-Lankan mobile software developers to experience rapid development and commercialization of their mobile applications, teams from Etisalat and hSenid have held seminars and workshops in all leading graduate institutes in Sri Lanka, including the Colombo University, Moratuwa University, Kelaniya University, Peradeniya University, SLIIT and APIIT.

The sessions focusing on explaining the procedures, prospect and potential in terms of opportunity and revenue have seen impressive response with a better than expected turn out. It is indeed a unique business proposal as it opens up a new breed of entrepreneurs amongst local application developers enhancing their presence in the region while enabling them to earn substantial revenues off their applications.

The AppZone mobile applications competition is two faced, targeting IT students as well as the IT savvy general public. The University level contest will see an Internal competition in the respective universities where the top three performers will win cash prizes, winner t-shirts and certificates.

The internal winners are then eligible for the all island inter-university competition for a sensational grand prize of an Apple i-pad. In addition to trophies and certificates, the top three application designers will take home to their respective universities a significant library fund, courtesy Etisalat and hSenid.

Meanwhile, the general public competition aimed at getting the non-professional applications developer on board will see five content winners walking away with a victorious trophy, certificate and a Blackberry device each. Developers can formulate within the categories; news, sports, games, information and fun.

Etisalat CEO, Dumindra Ratnayaka said, “With hSenid Mobile providing the technology platform for the developer portal, Etisalat invites all Sri Lankan application developers to join this “App Revolution”, by creating and submitting their mobile applications to the Etisalat-hSenid Mobile Application Developer Portal, as it paves the way for taking creations from one’s home to the global platform.

This competition is a motivator for you to be a part this trailblazer applications revolution.” hSenid CEO Dinesh Saparamadu said, “this eco-system is one which provides incredible revenue prospects for University students as well as anyone who is interested in application development and we are on our way to creating the first Mobile Applications Millionaire.”

Application developers can visit the Etisalat Mobile App Forum (www.appzone.lk), use the development kits provided to develop application, test it with the simulators provided and submit it for approval and commercialization.

Etisalat will share a significant portion of the revenue share obtained through selling these applications with the developer.

The developer will also get the chance to share the application nationally and internationally there by having the chance to build a reputation for him or herself.

ICTA felicitates IBM CSC team

Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) recently felicitated three IBM staff members who volunteered their time through IBM’s Corporate Service Corps (CSC) program at ICTA.

Through IBM CSC program, high performing IBM employees volunteer one month of their time to support Government agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions and local entrepreneurs and small businesses in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America in economic development projects.

IBM CSC team comprising Dr Anja Elsagir, Orla Duffy and Stefan Chrobot volunteered their time for the ‘eLand Register’ project which the Registrar General’s Department has initiated in collaboration with ICTA. The ‘eLand Register’ project envisions to increase the efficiency in the Land Registry offices in Sri Lanka by introducing information and communication technology to their day-to- day activities and thereby provide a more people-centric and convenient service to citizens.

ICTA Chief Operating Officer (COO) Reshan Dewapura said that ICTA will continue to support similar CSR-led initiatives of any organization with the aim of making ICT one of the foundations for economic development in Sri Lanka.

IBM to handle IT for Bharti Airtel’s Africa operations

Bharti Airtel Limited and IBM announced the selection of IBM to manage the computing technology and services that power Bharti Airtel’s mobile communications network spanning 16 African countries.

An agreement is expected to be finalized in the fourth quarter.

Under a completed agreement, IBM will deploy and manage state-of-the-art information technology infrastructure and applications to support Bharti Airtel’s goal of bringing affordable and innovative mobile services to remote locations in Africa. In addition, IBM will deploy advanced technologies created by IBM Research, including the Spoken Web — a voice-enabled Internet technology that allows users to access and share information simply by talking over an existing telephone.

This is particularly compelling for populations with little or no literacy, visual impairments, or which lack access to PCs.

When completed, the agreement will extend a deep relationship between IBM and Bharti Airtel that was established in 2004 when South Asia’s leading mobile communications provider tapped IBM to run the IT and applications for its entire Indian network.

Since then, Bharti Airtel has seen explosive growth - from six million subscribers to more than 150 million today.

Bharti Airtel plans to replicate the success of its relationship with IBM by lowering the barrier to entry for the people of Africa to own a mobile device.

According to a Deloitte report commissioned by the mobile communications industry association GSMA, only 40 out of every 100 Africans have a mobile phone. However, demand is growing at an average rate of 25 percent annually, and a 10 percent rise in mobile penetration could increase gross domestic product by 1.2 per cent in developing markets.

Bharti Airtel Chairman and Managing Director Sunil Bharti Mittal said: “There are huge opportunities throughout Africa to transform how people communicate and how communities interact.”

“Delivering on that opportunity through affordable mobile communications for everyone is our focus,” he said.

Research and development to become thought leaders:

Economic influence through knowledge economy

Ashan Kumar met Ribelz E-Marketing Agency founder Indika Jayapala to understand how ICT enabled dreams of entrepreneurship. Connect with the writer on www.prwire.blog.com

According to UNCTAD the role of entrepreneurship and an entrepreneurial culture in economic and social development has often been underestimated. Over the years, however, it has become increasingly apparent that entrepreneurship indeed contributes to economic development.

Transforming ideas into economic opportunities is the crux of entrepreneurship. History shows that economic progress has been significantly advanced by pragmatic people who are entrepreneurial and innovative, able to exploit opportunities and willing to take risks.

Entrepreneurs produce solutions that fly in the face of established knowledge, and they always challenge the status quo. They are risk-takers who pursue opportunities that others may fail to recognize or may even view as problems or threats.

Whatever the definition of entrepreneurship, it is closely associated with change, creativity, knowledge, innovation and flexibility-factors that are increasingly important sources of competitiveness in an increasingly globalized world economy.

Thus, fostering entrepreneurship means promoting the competitiveness of businesses.

When an Industry is evolving, it creates dynamic challenges to business. How well a business meets those challenges will determine the fate of the Corporation. Especially in the IT industry technology is a change agent, and a very swift one.

Businesses need to evolve rapidly.

According to young and dynamic Indika Jayapala stay ahead of the pack possessing a patent technology is critical.

“We always believe if our clients are winning in their markets with support of our services, we are also winning. To ensure our clients are to win, we always have to look for optimum we can adopt in their businesses to be competitive in their respective markets.

To find out that solution, we will have to learn about the industry and keep innovating new processes and services. If you do it right with a positive attitude and a genuine interest for the success of your clients. You are almost building a competitive advantage. I believe with technology you cannot build a sustainable competitive advantage unless one has the patent for the technology.

A certified marketeer with extensive knowledge in emarketing, e-branding and latest internet technologies Indika Jayapala is a marketing graduate from the Sri Jayewardhanapura University and an associate member of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM).

Currently he is reading for his Masters in Information and Communication Technology at the Colombo University School of Computing (UCSC).

Hailing from Kurunegala, he is a product of St. Anne’s College.

Ribelz e-marketing agency was initiated in 2007 as a small business initiative to address the focus for marketing, branding in the web development industry with a passion for e -business solutions.

He shared his childhood dream.

“Painting was my hobby. My parents brought me a lot of crayons and drawing books. They admired my work all the time and left me do what I enjoy the most. I had a dream to become a pilot.

During that time the computer became a sensation among my school friends. The first thing I realized about a computer was I can play many computer games. This was the start for the craze of learning about the computer. He recalls him travelling to every ICT exhibition in Kurunegala as he didn’t own a computer, playing games all day long till the event organizers had to request him to leave the venue.

Later he decides to commence a computer course offered by an institute in Kurunegala. He was the youngest member to be interviewed for the enrolment and the panel had to reject and requested enthusiastic Jayapala to attempt again next year as he was under age.

It was the same answer he received the next year. He hadn’t even sat for his O/Ls.

He travelled to Colombo in 1998 visiting a two day exhibition where he stepped into a Tech Sri Lanka stall where he got a semi scholarship to begin a basic course in IT.

In 1999 his perseverance prevailed when he for the third time applied for the institute which offered computer studies in Kurunegala.

He continued learning and adventuring in the web sphere.

He continued, “I completed my A/Ls and got selected to the Sri Jayewardhanapura University for management studies. I realized that I am good at designing and learnt graphic designing. I volunteered for most graphic designing and multimedia presentations for the university’s Marketing Department.

I learnt about entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Henry Ford, Thomas Alva Edison and the impact they can have on the world to make the world a better place.

These individuals gave an inspiration to Jayapala to initiate into venture capital. He decided he could contribute by becoming an entrepreneur and for that he chose the IT industry – to make Sri Lanka proud by catering to many global clients with the knowledge he gained through hard work and commitment.

He selected entrepreneurship as his future, envisioning that the future is all about ICT developments.

ICT made his entrepreneurial dreams come true.

In the industrial economy, it is believed there is a scarcity in resources. The advantage of the knowledge economy is that there are resources in abundance. Creating and managing knowledge is the key to develop the country. Jayapala states that Sri Lanka should focus more on innovation and learning.

Explaining about the importance of a knowledge economy, “We see countries like Japan gaining economic influence though they are limited in resources; this is mainly through knowledge creation and management.

He believes Sri Lanka should concentrate more on research and development. Countries that have and are investing in innovation will be the leaders in the future. Therefore it is time for Sri Lanka to forge ahead as an innovative nation leaving behind the commodity exporter status.

He quoted about the contribution Sri Lankan youth should make “I really believe the Sri Lankan youth can play a key role in developing a knowledge economy while enjoying a successful life with value.

To be an entrepreneur it is all about how well you build your competencies and attitude to succeed and make opportunities count.

Jayapala wanted to have an online magazine for youth, as he feels there was a need for an informative platform.

He developed www.theyooth.com to fill the knowledge gap for young people, and to rally around a knowledge community promoting entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka.

This platform allows young knowledge leaders to create content and share amongst their peers.

He has also invested in a web platform for events listings www.ceylonevents.com.

For him the biggest challenge in the BPO Market is identifying and contacting potential clients to tie-up and start a venture in BPO market.

“When I started I didn’t have a venture capital to start up, but what I relish is the self satisfaction I have in me,” he said.

Sri Lanka has immense potential to succeed in IT and benefit from it. It is a well-known fact that if you develop a software or program in Europe or US by using their own developers the cost for the developer is high in contrast to Sri Lanka.

IT education in the country should produce quantity and quality and the country has a clear advantage. Considerable investment in promoting Sri Lanka ICT is pivotal.

He finds improving IT education; digitalizing the public and government sector and having a Software Export Development Board will educate the world about the Sri Lanka advantage.