Computer Software Helping Users to Cut Costs in Kenya

Source: Business Daily         Country: Kenya
Created By: cleopa on 5-May-2008 4:45 AM

The high cost of doing business has driven out a number of firms from the Central Business District in search of spacious but inexpensive offices outside the city centre. One such investor is Patrick Mathenge who has moved to Mombasa Road's Vision Plaza where he is pushing a new venture in technology.

Mathenge is the CEO of Mullard Electronic Limited, a firm that provides hardware and software solutions. The company is bringing in and distributing software that can turn a single computer into 10 workstations to save costs and earn investors maximum profits from their investments.

"The personal computer is designed for use by a single trusted user. Instead of buying 10 CPUs, you only need to have the software and duplicate it to 10 CPUs," says Mr Mathenge.

There is a choice of two softwares- the Desktop Multiplier, which is suitable for normal office and general use and Discover station for public computing. With the Discover station software, one can control access, enforce usage limits and even apply charges directly to the user's accounts.

The software was developed by a Canadian firm and Mullard was appointed by Netsys Computer Inc, the Linux Africa distributor to supply the software in Kenya.
"The chance to distribute the software came when I visited an ICT exhibition last year at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. I met Netsy Computer Inc Company officials who were looking for a distributor and I expressed my interest. After two days they called me to their office and presented the opportunity," the former soldier says.

The software divides the CPU resources to the number of the workstations in an office. The CPU resources are shared equally amongst the workstations. "No user can access information, if it is not his or her workstation. Information stored in the hard disk is labelled per monitor. Different users need to have secret password to access information. A user cannot access a colleague's work," Mr Mathenge said in his office at Vision plaza.

The 55-year-old electronic engineer says computer users no longer need to worry about viruses, spy ware or unauthorised access. "The recommended retail price for the software is Sh9,000 compared to over Sh 25,000 for a PC if you are using other softwares," said Mr Mathenge.

A client is required to obtain a CPU which has 3.0 GHZ, Duo Core processor, 2GB RAM and an expansion slot to accommodate duo head video cards. "These standards reduce computer dumping in Africa," he says.

On the other hand, the CPU cannot support more than 10 workstations, as its may slow up the computer. There is no maintenance cost once the software is installed.

"By using the software you will be able to save up to 50 per cent of the money that you would use to buy CPUs . There is one Internet connection, reduced power back up requirement, created work space and reduced heat generation," he said.

Mathenge say he has invested Sh5 million which has been spent in market study of the software, equipping, training and purchasing the product. Having started out last year, Mullard have sold out the software to the Ministry of Youth and few individuals. Mullard has been authorised to supply the software to the digital villages.

But Mathenge says they are looking for a reseller of the software at the district and provincial levels, who will also distribute them to the digital villages.

The Government has bought over 100 workstations to be used in digital villages and has partnered with the Youth ministry to train young people on the business benefits of software. "We are capable of providing software and hardware solutions in line with the one to 10 CPU to schools by opening a software and hardware centre", Mr Mathenge said. But, he wants the government to adopt a modern computer syllabus to open opportunities for to young IT professionals.

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