The Hindu Business Line : PicoPeta ropes in nine affiliates for Amida

PICOPETA Simputers and Bharat Electronics Ltd have roped in nine software solutions providers as affiliates for Amida, the Simputer they are jointly developing for various outdoor applications.

The move puts the hand-held low-cost computing device one more step closer to the market.

The nine affiliates, which include Kshema Technologies (now a BFL Mphasis subsidiary), Anadocs IT Solutions, Consign Technology, DEPIK Systems, Maximus2, Omni-Bridge Systems, Rareworld Technologies, Webstar Software and TVS E-Solutions Group, will build their respective end-to-end solutions for corporate users on the Amida platform. The services include systems integration, application development and maintenance, and business and IT consulting.

The affiliates have acquired Amida software development kits to use the Simputer for applications such as field force automation, sales and inventory management, security and access.

The other certified affiliates are Anadocs IT Solutions, Consign Technology, DEPIK Systems, Maximus2, Omni-Bridge Systems, Rareworld Technologies & Webstar Software.

The PicoPeta CEO, Dr Swami Manohar, said: "We now have what it takes to deliver a commercial-grade `outdoor computing' solution — hardware production, support facilities, solution providers, SDKs for developers, training programs for key partners and internalised lessons from key pilot projects."

The signing up of the affiliates signifies Amida Simputer's readiness to meet corporate requirements in a full-fledged way, said Mr Vikram Srivats, Head of Corporate Business, PicoPeta.

Amida — created by PicoPeta and manufactured by public sector BEL for mobile computing — is being evaluated by public and private sector agencies such as Bangalore Electric Supply Company, CASHPOR, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh State Governments and the World Health Organisation .