Cloud computing service provider Nivio has proposed to tap the $10 billion
market in Asia through its services.
Nivio offers Windows desktops and applications through their website
www.nivio.com, where a user can store data upto 5GB (extendable memory). Users
need to register themselves on the website which would enable them to access
Windows desktop from anywhere across the world through a web browser.
"We don't have a full fledged cloud computing service in India, but we hold a
clear edge over other service providers such as Google, Microsoft,
Salesforce.com etc. Nivio offers 100 percent security with virtual desktop,
where there are no viruses or data loss problems. Most importantly, the official
desktops needn't be used for personal use and this desktop is just like laptops,
which is virtually portable," claimed Iqbal Gandham, Chief Business Strategist,
Nivio.
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Iqbal Gandham
Chief Business Strategist
Nivio |
A minimum configuration computer is all that a user needs to have with a
broadband configuration for the bandwidth purpose. The processor in the main
server takes care of the speed of computing.
With Nivio, a user who has an OS with Linux and Mac would still be able to
work on a Windows desktop and access Microsoft applications through Safari,
Mozilla, etc without any hassle. Nivio charges Rs149 per month to provide the
Windows OS and Rs 399 for a desktop with Microsoft office as a service.
The company has planned to tie-up with three sets of channels. "We would like
to associate ourselves with independent or low-cost system builders and
integrators with the Internet service providers (ISPs) and the hosting
companies. We feel that the unbranded or independent system builders can add
value to their customers by offering them our solution. ISPs could play a major
role in offering our service along with the other services they provide to their
customers," Gandham informed.
At present, Nivio is in talks with major ISPs and is in the process of
identifying low-cost and independent system builders. "The independent and
low-cost systems have played a major role in increasing software piracy. We
would like to educate and convince partners to offer original OS at a very
manageable cost to their customers," he added.
Nivio has a strategic tie-up with Microsoft to offer this service. Gandham
views every Internet user as a potential customer for Nivio and informs that the
company mainly targets the SME segment and the end-users predominantly.
Though at present Nivio is just offering Windows and a few open source
applications, it is looking to add more mission critical applications, provided
the bandwidth supports those applications. "We would like to add CRM or ERP in
the offerings of Nivio, but we need to make sure that those applications don't
eat up the bandwidth. We are also welcoming more such application developers to
be a part of Nivio," Gandham said.
He feels that India is two years behind the rest of the world in using the
cloud computing concept and therefore cites this as a huge potential to tap the
market in the country.