PCs to the people

According to Microsoft MD Gordon Fraser, global competitiveness requires the development of strong knowledge-based economies. To his mind, South Africa faces many challenges, and success depends on its ability to build intellectual capital.

It`s a view supported by HP SA`s head of corporate marketing, Claude Ibalanky: "First and foremost, technology is an enabler. In itself it cannot eradicate the world`s problems, but if correctly implemented and adopted, it can attain high levels of success. In order to become a fully fledged knowledge-based economy, everyone - not just corporate South Africa - needs to have access to ICT and be sufficiently skilled to make themselves more productive members of the economy."

It seems to follow the biblical adage: `Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach him how to fish and he will eat for life.`

EVIDENCE OF LIFE

Proof that some of South Africa`s economic and skills development hurdles could be cleared through the delivery of computers can be found in initiatives that have been successful elsewhere in the world.

In Egypt, the government has embarked on several initiatives which aim to broaden technology access amongst citizens. From the provision of free Internet to its "PC for every home and notebook for every specialist" programme, the Egyptian government aims to develop its society by raising the utilisation of ICT.

In India, where education and PC access has been credited with the phenomenal growth of the country`s IT industry, over 600 000 villages have received community PCs to enable the delivery of public services and provide basic technology services. Additionally, a COW initiative - connectivity on wheels - brings technology to communities similar to the mobile library services of the last century.

And the New Partnership for Africa`s Development (Nepad) has several initiatives that focus on the delivery of technology and technology skills for the betterment of the continent, its people and the realisation of the United Nation`s Millennium Development Goals.

Ultimately, being both computer literate and adept can increase a person`s chances of getting a job. One only needs to look at South Africa`s glaring unemployment rates in relation to the skills shortages experienced by certain sectors to see that there is opportunity to be had in `upskilling` the various sectors of society to deliver on skill requirements that are increasingly knowledge based.

ON THE BACK OF BUSINESS

As a result, South African businesses have the opportunity to put their corporate social investment (CSI) funds to good and, more importantly, sustainable use. From enabling schools with technology for the betterment of education, to the sponsorship of initiatives which deliver technologies to under-serviced regions, to the supply of hardware and software to non-governmental and non-profit organisations; businesses can build CSI case studies which reflect the extent of their support through financial value and societal impact.

For the IT industry, this contribution is laid out in the ICT Charter. Recognising the importance of enabling ICT access in previously-disadvantaged communities (particularly those in rural areas), education and healthcare, the members of the ICT Charter steering committee opted to specify between CSI`s made in these areas and more general contributions. Accordingly, companies committing to the ICT Charter are required to contribute 1% of profit before tax to the provision of ICT in education, health and/or licensing conditions and 0.5% in general CSI.

But does this work? Or does it instead create a mishmash of technologies that are difficult to integrate, maintain and manage? Fortunately, technology has become largely standardised, particularly at the PC level, and so maintaining and managing the technologies have become infinitely easier. However, getting the maintenance personnel to the sites is far more problematic, especially when a device sits in a rural area, 100km away from the nearest town.

This issue is slowly being overcome as organisations like Connect Africa begin to provide mobile services that visit regions to deliver ICT connectivity, education and maintenance and update services.

CHEAP, CHEAP

Via Technologies business development manager Werner du Plessis says that a more apt question that needs to be tabled is whether it is more important to enable access to one really `souped-up` computer or ten adequate computers. After all, if a competitor has a cheaper computer that provides the required functionality, won`t the CSI spend have a greater impact?

Admittedly it is unlikely that one vendor would even think of buying hardware or software from another on the basis of providing more computers for less. But there is an emerging range of low-cost computing which could provide communities and their private sectors donors with just the answer.

Depending on where you are in the world, it is possible to get a computer with the ability to connect to the Internet, support the use of popular operating systems and productivity suites, and survive the often rugged geographic dynamics of region for as little as US$250.

Emerging markets throughout the world are turning towards such solutions in the hope that they can broaden access to technologies without breaking the bank.

And the options are endless as vendors start investing significant research and development funds to meet the specific requirements of every region.

MADE FOR ME

Mark Bedford, Intel GM of the emerging markets platform group, says that the company has established a business development team in Shanghai to produce solutions which are both cost-effective (around $300 depending on location) and sensitive to the dynamics of each country.

"In addition to the common complement of technology developers we have brought in psychologists and ethnographers to create solutions based on a `user-centric innovation` design philosophy.

"This has meant that we have had to address basics issues of cost and functionality as well as rolling blackouts, profuse dust, extreme cold or heat, and of course literacy and needs," he says.

However, Du Plessis says that these products are often turned away by governments due to notions of longevity and sustainability.

"Some countries still work on hardware specifications rather than functionality - and these specs commonly don`t take into account what the hardware will be used for.

"As a result schools, community centres and other initiatives have to make do with fewer computers that probably have the specifications to make an entry-level gamer happy," he explains.

MILKING THE POOR?

Of course some may say that this is just another way for businesses to capitalise from the weaknesses of emerging markets.

According to Fraser, the costs attached to product offerings in these markets are used largely to continue product development. "We are constantly thinking about how to meet different needs in the marketplace and have various programmes in place that look to make software more affordable. [Locally] we will be making Windows XP Starter Edition available locally, which is the same reliable, easy-to-use and feature-rich platform that users are accustomed to, but is made with the first-time user in mind.

"And we have also announced the first of our localisation initiatives, through the launch of the isiZulu language interface pack for Windows XP," he says.

Whether it is cost, language, region or environment specific development that needs to take place, there can be no doubt that it costs the company both for the resources dedicated to the projects and for the same resources being reassigned from more profitable projects. Therefore, these projects have to be financially sustainable in order for companies to warrant the investment.

GOOD GOVERNMENT

But what of government? Is it playing a big enough role or sitting back hoping that the private sector will deliver to the underprivileged on their behalf?

IBM SA communication executive Mathula Mphande says that although private/public partnerships have much to add to enabling digital inclusion, government needs to drive its own initiative in order to ensure sustainable success.

"While the private sector is doing much to bridge the gap, it is simply too wide and therefore the government needs to step up to the plate and implement a coordinated programme, particularly in schools in impoverished areas," she says.

"However, a public/private partnership - where the private sector delivers skills and government, the additional funding to cover more schools and infrastructure - is one way in which progress can be made."

IS THAT ALL?

At the end of the day, getting a PC into a school or community is just the first step. Without ongoing education to support its use; connectivity to link to the outside world, maintenance to ensure operation; and content to keep people coming back, a R100 000 donation today, could turn out to be a coffee cup holder tomorrow.