New software to help reduce ICT costs

In a bid to help businesses cut high production and energy costs, MSV technologies in collaboration with Ncomputing, has introduced network computing, a networking software. The software that uses one PC to connect 10 desktops/screens is able to save on energy and maintenance costs that increase working budgets of most businesses. “You can triple the size of your computer lab without necessarily increasing your IT budget and, in business, any reduction in costs translates into profits,” Jay Son, Director of Sales Middle East and Sub Saharan Africa for Ncomputing, a US-based IT company said. Son said that the software reduces power and cooling requirements by more than 90 percent which helps companies and businesses cut maintenance and support costs by 70 percent. He also added that schools, especially in rural areas, will benefit from the software as it will be easier to connect computer laboratories using few computers to serve all students. Son believes that the software has come at the right time when government is extending ICT to rural areas, adding that this will encourage more rural businesses in the ICT sector to expand their services with no need to buy more computers. But the technology also comes in the wake of Rwanda Tele-centre network’s announcement that it plans to set up 1,000 tele centres countrywide. The centres will help rural areas access services ranging from ICT, banking, government services, among others. Paul Burera, the Executive Director Rwanda Tele-centre network, called for user friendly IT packages to help ICT reach the underserved populations. Nicholas Kimolo, Managing Director of Fu Turistic, an ICT firm based in Kenya, said that, with the recent launch of web 2.0 technologies that enable users to avail e-content in a local language, there is need for more, cheaper and friendlier technologies if they are to succeed. Dias.nyesiga@newtimes.co.rw