Computers Today, June 1-15, 2000; Country Buzz, pg3

June 1-15, 2000 COUNTRY BUZZ

Compaq, ER&DCI Offer E-governance Solutions

Compaq India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Electronics Research & Development Centre of India (ER&DCI) for setting up of a competence centre that would enable E-governance in Noida near Delhi to begin with, and subsequently extend the services across various states. As Balu Doraisamy, managing director, Compaq India, said, "The true impact of IT is measured only when the common man benefits from it. This joint initiative with ER&DCI aims to take IT to the grassroots level, and makes a significant contribution to enhancing the life of the common man." A pilot E-governance administration project for Noida in Uttar Pradesh was initiated by ER&DCI to create the smart link/ interface between citizens, government-run public utilities and other information providers. Once the project is online, it would strengthen linkages between government and citizens and facilitate transfer of the information to citizens instantaneously through single-window delivery points with multi-user and multi-location capabilities. Some of the areas in which the system would provide workable solutions are district rural development authority, setting up of inter-departmental MIS system and land records, among a host of others. The agreement outlines the scope for joint investments in developing Web-based solutions for E-governance.

AN-NET Forms JVs to Expand E-com Market

AN-NET Infotech, a 100 per cent export oriented unit (EOU) for software development promoted by Anil Nanda of the Escorts group, has signed agreements with Accel Ltd and Powersolv Inc. for joint market development. The new ventures have resulted in many breakthrough international orders, the company claims. Developing services and solutions for emerging areas like business-to-business and business-to-consumer, the Internet and intranet, enterprise resource planning, supply chain management, customer relationship management are the company's core business areas.

Under the programme, the company plans to target strategic technology leaders in areas of its business focus. "The partnership approach has tremendously reduced the time-to-market, as it opens up huge resources in terms of both technology and human skills. This has resulted in a win-win situation for us and alliance partners," said Ashok Malhotra, managing director, AN-NET. The firm has a development facility in Delhi, and has the back-end support of over 1,500 staff through its strategic partners.

TELECOM & ISP
Cabletron's New Entity to Focus on E-biz Solutions

Cabletron India has announced the launch of Enterasys Networks, an independent entity of Cabletron Systems. This is in line with Cabl- etron's recent worldwide initiative to transform its businesses through the formation of four independent operating companies. Enterasys Networks will focus on delivering strategic E-business solutions to global enterprise customers. "Cabletron Systems worldwide is focusing on key areas in the communications marketplace such as service providers, enterprise E-businesses and infrastructure management," said Gary Workman, president, Asia-Pacific, Cabletron Systems. "The launch of Enterasys Networks in India is an indication of our commitment to the enterprise customers in this country," said Uday Birje, country manager, India and SAARC, Cabletron Systems.

Ernet, Cisco Sign MOU for Research in Net Tech

Ernet India, an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Information Technology, and Cisco Systems, a worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, have singed an MoU to collaborate on training and research in networking and Internet technologies. Anil Batra, president, India and SAARC region, Cisco Systems, said, "The synergies from this relationship will be significant not only for India and the surrounding region, but for the world at large." Under the terms of the MOU, Ernet will build the infrastructure for a centre of excellence that will showcase latest technologies, including the leading networking solutions from Cisco. The centre will aim at raising technology awareness in the country, especially among government organisations. Both Ernet and Cisco will also explore means of providing networking and Net training in India, to increase the number of IT-trained professionals.

Lucent to Build Broadband NW for Hughes

Lucent Technologies has announced the signing of a $175 million contract with Hughes Tele.com (India) Ltd, a telephone service operator in Maharashtra and Goa, to build the country's first genuine broadband telephone network. Hughes Tele.com will be able to offer its business customers services initially in Mumbai and in Pune by the second quarter of 2000. The network will be expanded throughout Maharashtra and Goa over the next three years. Giving details, Vijay Gupta, president and CEO of Lucent Technologies India, said, "Under the agreement, Lucent Technologies will provide expertise, including switching centres incorporating Lucent's 5ESS switch, anymedia access systems, anymedia optical networking units (ONUs), intelligent network (IN) software and service management systems, power systems and support services."

Currently, Hughes has over 22,000 lines in service and has embarked on a massive expansion plan covering all major cities of Maharashtra. In the next two years, the telecommun- ications company plans to roll out over 220,000 lines all over the state and expects to have over 5 million lines in the next 15 years. Hughes Tele.com is set to offer broadband wired and wireless services using latest technology, which includes "last mile" optical fibre.

Mantra Online to Set up 8 Internet Gateways

Mantra Online, a joint venture between Bharati Enterprises and British Telecom, is planning an expansion drive which includes setting up of eight private Internet gateways across the country by July-end this year. Apart from this, the ISP, which at present is providing services in five major cities in the country and 17 cities in Madhya Pradesh, is likely to expand it to 17 more cities by September. The company will invest Rs 100 crore in deploying latest technology over the first 18 months. Says N. Arjun, CEO of Bharati-BT Internet Ltd (BBIL), "We are looking at doubling our subscriber base over the next six months with greater aggressiveness in retailing as well as expanding to more cities shortly." Mantra Online is India's first ISP to have been awarded the licence to set up a Ku-band international gateway in India by DoT.

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