NEN E-Week Finale on February 13, 2010

NEN (National Entrepreneurship Network) of Wadhwani Foundation had arranged a week-long “E-week” (Entrepreneurship week) throughout the country.

The finale was at Jyoti Nivas College in Koramangala today.

It is the 5th year of NEN. There were 2,500 students from Delhi, Jaipur, Indore, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Coimbatore, Mysore and Bangalore. Their energy levels were so high that one could not resist to comment that “it was sufficient to run the City of Bangalore!”

Laura Parkin the ED of NEN was at her elements; landing from Boston just 24 hours back she was not just awake but full of energy too.

Madan Padaki, Founder & CEO, MeritTrack narrated his experiences very candidly; his interaction with family, VCs, friends, clients and the amazing growth story must have been the right inputs to the budding entrepreneurs.

I spoke about the changed India, the changed world particularly when it came to perceptions on India, entrepreneurship providing an opportunity to change comparable to what Mahatma Gandhi could do to India, the need to get 300 million Indians above poverty line, making a difference to them, the “tough times” of not only Madan Padaki but even giants like Infosys Founders and Google Founders in their early days, the spirit of “do not give up easily”; and, finally, set the goal of one million participants in 2012 compared to 400,000 in 2010!

Mr Mittal from DST narrated the story of an entrepreneur using “deaf & dumb” employees to increase his “home security” business in a residential locality in Delhi. It was just amazing.

With several dances thrown in it was party time too!

An enjoyable evening indeed

quality to Quality

It is time leading companies like Infosys look at quality more as strategic weapon than mere conformance to benchmarks. That is the transition I refer to as “quality to Quality”

I drove home my point by taking examples from other industries, notably manufacturing in 80s and 90’s in India

I also impressed on Infosys SEPG team the need to play “leaders’ game” than “followers’ game”; followers meet others benchmark, while leaders create new benchmark

I suggested to the quality team at Infosys that it is time they look at some “out of box” thinking; possibly looking at “proving programs correct” as an alternative to “software testing”

(Talk given to Infosys SEPG Group on Tuesday February 9, 2010)

Udaipur is indeed a city of lakes

One hears about Udaipur, particularly senior friends from USA and Western Europe, who manage to visit Udaipur more than many of us in India.

So when I visited Udaipur during Feb 4-7, 2010 I was almost “shocked” in a positive way – how the different elements of tourism – hotels, places of interest, historic monuments, shopping places and the city – can come together to offer a “wholesome pleasant experience”.

The hotels are fantastic (of course quite expensive), the service is outstanding. In fact Oberoi Udaivilas was rated No 1 in the world by “Travel + Leisure” Magazine in 2007. Many of the “palaces” have been re-positioned (in fact re-created) and managed not by “Government Tourism Departments” but by first rate tourist operators. Even the shops seem to have learnt that “pestering” puts off people and by giving a wide choice to the customers, you win in the long run. The City Administration must be complimented for maintaining the city and the lakes clean and most of the roads without gaping potholes.

In all Udaipur seems to have got it right. One hopes that they manage the water supply to the lakes in  sustainable manner; if the lakes dry up Udaipur tourism will dry up too!

Converged Infrastructure – HP is ahead with BladeSystem Matrix

The two mantras that I used in this talk are

1. SSN is one (SSN stands for Servers, Storage & Networks)
2. You need to optimize globally

Over the years server consolidation, virtualization (Storage, desktop, applications…), layered network architecture, storage using SAN.. have dominated the CIO’s toolbox of facing increasing applications demand and decreasing budget. In the process the optimization has often been local – servers, storage or network. What is needed today is to “globally” optimize across servers, storage and networks – the essence of my “SSN is one” mantra.

Servers need storage; networks needs heavy computing and storage; and, storage needs both networking and computing; the three are intrinsically intertwined.

To optimize across the system you need tools – the real strength of HP today

With its BladeMatrix System HP offers a “3-in-1 box” that consists of servers, storage and networks – all configurable with software tools that automate the whole process; the pre-defined templates captures the essence of best scenarios that are “perfected” in the Lab.

In that sense compared to every other vendor HP seems to have a well-orchestrated strategy (announced in October 2009), products (November 2009), consulting practices (January 2010) and marketing communications (Feb 2010)

If well executed this can be a game changer

(Invited talk given the very select CIO’s in Udaipur on Feb 5, 2010)

Oberoi Udaivilas Hotel is amazing

I had gone to Udaipur to give a lecture to select CIO’s on “Converged Infrastructure”. The organizers – HP in this case –  had hosted me in Oberoi Udaivilas Hotel.

The property is amazing – sprawling green campus on the Pichola Lake (in fact you reach it thru a very nice ferry ride, an option that is indeed enjoyable), large extremely comfortable rooms with private “sit out” balcony, comfort conditioners (that do not over cool the rooms with a controller that has single point adjustment), Internet that is good enough to work and not too good that you get hooked, video screen that is “well placed”..; I can go on describing the “quality” of the hardware. But the “software” – the service is the one that “leverages” the hardware; a combination of “old” and “new” tools; a person greets you with a ful smile and a full “Namaskar” with folded hands and orally greeting you with your name (assisted by “walkie Talkie and mobile phones) so that you feel “secure” and “wanted”; in fact, at every step you are “taken good care of” including the many restaurants, spa, business center, meeting rooms, lounges..;  in fact, every inch of the Hotel.

No wonder Oberoi Udaivilas was rated No 1 in the world in 2007 by “Travel+Leisure” and consistently gets voted as one of the “Top 10 luxury hotels” every year. Every industry would have a lesson to learn from Oberoi Udaivilas.

Karnataka announces Semiconductor Policy in ISA Vision Summit

Both ISA (India Semiconductor Association) and GoK (Government of Karnataka) have done them proud by announcing the first ever “Semiconductor Policy”.

Karnataka has been the leader in IT for two decades. It is time that it is re-claiming its leadership policies through such visionary statements.

One hopes that the policy is foloweed up to its logical end.

With Karnataka also announcing last Friday the country’s first-ever ITIR (IT Investment Region) near Bangalore International Airport (with about 10,000 acres), the State continues to have “early mover advantage” among all the Indian States (IT Policy, IT Department, IT Secretary, IT Minister, IIIT..)

Elevated Highway continues to give “free ride”

The much awaited “elevated highway” between Silk Board Junction to Electronic City was formally opened on January 22, 2010.

It was a pleasant ride that took less than 10 minutes to cover the 10 km distance which earlier used to take more than an hour.

We were told that the “toll” will be collected from today (February 1); to my pleasant surprise I got a free ride today also!

One hopes to get the free ride until the day of the budget (Feb 26)!

It may be note that this elevated highway was one of the firsts to be planned in the country (Hyderabad started late and inaugurated earlier; Chennai I understand is building one)

Sun has finally set in the IT landscape

Typing www.sun.com takes you automatically to Oracle website with Oracle acquiring Sun Microsystems for a whopping $ 7.4 billion after months of wrangling with regulators, particularly in Europe.

With this the world’s No 2 software company, gets into hardware business (servers & storage)

What it will mean for customers it not yet clear; it will take a while before the picture is clear.

Many of us will miss the company that put “University” at the “center” (Stanford University Network), created NFS, Java and the early workstations; for many Indians it was one large American company co-founded by an Indian engineer (Vinod Khosla)

Many of us remember Wipro bringing Sun into India in 1987-88 with the tagline “Sun rises in India” today “Sun has set”!

Apple iPad – will it be a game changer?

The legendary Apple CEO Steve Jobs launched the much-awaited consumer electronics item “iPad” in San Francisco, USA, yesterday (January 27, 2010).

Powered by Apple’s “own” processor code-named A4 running at 1 GHz, brilliant 9.7” LED display (Apple calls it IPS technology) with 16 to 64 GB of “flash” memory, 10 hours of battery, Wi-Fi (802.11n), Bluetooth (2.1), GPS and accelerometer, the ½” thin Apple iPad weighs a mere 1.5 pounds.  Filling the gap between a smart phone and a laptop / notebook computer, Apple iPad is designed for a great experience in Net browsing, e-mail, photo / video viewing, music, games and interestingly reading e-books.

Powered by Apple Safari iPad gives the best mobile browsing experience; the form factor is large enough to render full web pages very well. The “touch” keyboard is almost the same size as most laptop keyboards, enabling the user to do mobile e-mail as if one is working on a notebook. The large and brilliant screen allows video, music & photo organizer to be powerful, yet intuitive making iPad a great mobile multimedia device. Apple iPad is a great mobile gaming device. To add to the “wow” factor Apple iPad is an excellent mobile e-Book Reader too!

Will Apple iPad be a game changer? Many of us believe so due to the following reasons

1 Apple consistently creates products that stand out amidst crowd

Launched in 1984 Apple Mac computer was not one more PC; it redefined the “Personal Computer”. Apple followed it up with PowerBook in 1991, Power Mac in 1994 and iMac in 1999. Mac Book Air introduced in 2008 was great design innovation. No wonder Apple sold a record number of 3.4 million Mac computers in the October – December 2009 quarter!

Apple introduced iPod in 2001, It was NOT the first portable digital music player; by combining innovation in design (the dial pad for example) along with iTunes musical stores, iPod today is synonymous with MP3 players! Apple has sold more than 250 million iPod devices in nine years (nearly 21 million in the last quarter (October – December 2009) alone!

In 2007 Apple launched iPhone, a smart phone amidst a market crowded by Nokia (with more than 400 million handset sales globally), Motorola (the company that invented mobile phones), Palm Inc (the smart phone leader), RIM (BlackBerry maker who was the unquestioned leader among mobile e-mail devices), SONY (the consumer electronics giant) and Samsung & LG (Korean majors). Within two years Apple iPhone has become a leader with its revolutionary “multi-touch” interface, a winning combination of smart phone, mobile Internet device and iPod; every manufacturer including Nokia was forced to introduce a “touch” phone, though none could match Apple iPhone in terms of intuitive user interface. Apple sold nearly 9 million iPhones in the last quarter (October – December 2009). App Store an online “application store” has 140,000 applications today with more than 3 billion downloads in less than 2 years.

Apple iPad introduced yesterday combines a mobile computer, smart phone and e-Book Reader and is likely to storm the e-Book Reader market as well as PC market

2 iPad avoids earlier mistakes

Tablet PC is not new. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has been spearheading Tablet PC for the past seven years. Tablet PC attempts to use “touch”, but limited to “stylus based writing”. By incorporating “multi-touch” across all applications, iPad goes far beyond a “Tablet PC”. The media has been talking of Apple Tablet PC (with even a name iSlate) for months; Apple took everyone by surprise through iPad that integrates touch (that too with no stylus). The form factor is correct and the 10-year battery life would be the “killer” feature.

3 iPad leverages existing ecosystem

iPhone leads the smart phone pack primarily due to “applications” that can be easily downloaded from “app Stores”. There is a record 140,000 strong set of applications to choose from. By making EVERY application from iPhone App Stores to run on iPad Apple has decisively made iPad the best Tablet PC! By tweaking great applications (word processing and presentation, for example) Apple iPad will be the best PC. Thanks to 9.7” screen, the “virtual” keyboard on the screen is almost the size of normal keyboard permitting full e-mail functionality. By running iTunes with full functionality iPad is a great multi-media device as well

4      iPad will shake up the e-Book Reader market

With Apple launching iBook Store with MacMillan, Penguin, Simon & Schuster already signed up and opting for ePub “open” format (unlike Amazon’s proprietary format) Apple iPad might change the dynamics of e-Book Readers!

5 Apple iPad is priced right

The media has been projecting a launch price of $ 1,000 to $ 2,000 for Apple Tablet. Surprisingly Apple has priced iPad at $ 499 (Wi-Fi version) and $ 629 (3G version). The data plans are $ 15 per month and $ 30 per month unlike the $ 60 per month that typically telcos charge for data plans today

Steve Jobs summarized the launch as “our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price”; the first impression, if it is any indication, makes one conclude that Apple iPad will be a game changer product. It will be interesting to watch Apple reaching the product to customers and they in turn lapping it up or not over the next 11 months.

Apple launches iPad Three-in-one PC, Smart Phone and e-Book

Today (January 27, 2010) the legendary Apple CEO Steve Jobs launched in San Francisco, USA , “IPad” – the “third” device beyond Apple’s hugely successful Mac computer and iPhone smart phone. Millions around the globe watched the launch event over the Net; many in India (including the author) had to burn the midnight oil (1130 PM IST yesterday to 1:07 AM IST today) to get the excitement as it unfolded. The bloggers of Gizmodo, Engadget, Wall Street Journal and New York Times provided “live” coverage with text and pictures that made every Netizen feel as though one was present in San Francisco; it worked well even with a flaky “narrow band” Internet connection that is often sold as “broad band” connection in India!

Steve Jobs summarized the launch as “our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price”; yes, Apple iPad at $ 499 (Wi-Fi model) or $ 629 (3G Model) is a steal; both are “unlocked”; the service provider AT&T may subsidize the device cost; other service providers might extend subsidy too, but as of writing it is not clear if Apple has arrangements with other telcos (other than AT&T).

Powered by Apple’s “own” processor code-named A4 running at 1 GHz, brilliant 9.7” LED display (Apple calls it IPS technology) with 16 to 64 GB of “flash” memory with 10 hours of battery, Wi-Fi (802.11n), Bluetooth (2.1), speech, accelerometer, the ½” thin Apple iPad weighs a mere 1.5 pounds. “Multi-Touch” that Apple introduced two years back in its iPhone product pervades every function of Apple’s iPad. The form factor is that of “Tablet PC”, though Apple avoided the term “Tablet” and consistently called it “iPad”.

–      Powered by Apple Safari iPad gives the best mobile browsing experience; the form factor is large enough to render full web pages very well.

–      The “touch” keyboard is almost the same size as most laptop keyboards, enabling the user to do mobile e-mail as if one is working on a notebook.

–      The large and brilliant screen allows video, music & photo organizer to be powerful, yet intuitive making iPad a great mobile multimedia device; with iTunes fully supported on iPad, it is effortless to use for the 100 million iPad users on the planet.

–      Apple iPad is a great mobile gaming device too.

–      To add to the “wow” factor Apple iPad is an excellent mobile e-Book reader with Apple launching iBookStore with MacMillan, Penguin, Simon & Schuster already signed up and New York Times having an application for iPad; Apple calls Amazon’s Kindle a great device and compliments Amazon by saying “we stand on their shoulders”; by opting for ePub open format (unlike Amazon’s proprietary format) Apple iPad might change the dynamics of e-Book Readers!

The biggest attraction of Apple iPhone (among all smart phones) is the huge set of Applications effortlessly downloadable from Apple App Store (as of this writing there are 140,000 applications and 3 billions “apps” have been downloaded by the users over the past 2 years). Apple iPad can run EVERY iPhone application! In addition there are many iPad applications and Apple launched its SDK (Software Development Kit) for iPad also along with iPad.

Apple did not miss the opportunity to tout its “green” commitment; iPad is arsenic and mercury free and hugely recyclable.

Some of the very successful Mac applications (“Pages” word processor and “Keynote” presentation software) have been launched specially optimized for iPad; more interestingly, they have been priced at $ 9.99 and highly affordable.

Smart phones have been pricey item, particularly the data plans that accompany smart phones. For example, typical Apple iPhone on AT&T used to cost $ 60 a month for a reasonable data plan; by slashing it to $15 a month for 250 MB download and $ 30 a month for unlimited download, Apple has addressed the cost issue as well.

In short, Apple introduced a revolutionary portable digital music player iPod in 2001; the year 2007 saw Apple entering the smart phone market through its highly successful iPhone; yesterday Apple has launched arguably the best Netbook / Tablet / e-Book Reader that combines the best of Netbook and iPhone without compromising features that many Netbook computers do.

Will Apple be lucky three times in a row? The first impressions point so though only time can tell. It will be interesting to watch Apple reaching the product to customers and they in turn lapping it up or not. The year 2010 will be truly interesting to watch.