MAFCOCS, Intel join hands to deploy 10,000 community PCs

Maharashtra State Federation Co-operative Credit Societies (MAFCOCS) signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Intel Technology India. This represents a
significant step in Intel's 'World Ahead' program, which aims to take the
accessibility of computing technology to the next level.

As per the understanding, which was signed recently, both MAFCOCS and Intel
will jointly campaign to increase awareness of IT adoption/solutions to benefit
the spread of 80,000 co-operative credit societies catering to approximately 30
million people in the country.

As per the MoU, Intel will advise MAFCOCS on various aspects of technology,
including the selection process, and deployment framework, and will offer to
share its experience both in the consumer premise equipment and connectivity
infrastructure. Intel will also support MAFCOCS in its mission to deploy the
common ICT infrastructure for co-operative credit societies, while educating the
state federation team on relevant and upcoming software and hardware
technologies.

AMAR BABU: Aiming to increase awareness of IT adoption in co-operative credit societies

MAFCOCS will in turn support enabling of co-operative credit societies'
software content on Intel architecture. Under the agreement, the state
federation will deploy 10,000 Intel powered community PCs for the rural needs of
credit societies during the next one year as part of the first phase.

“We recognize the challenges of community development and believe that
technology and information will empower the people of India. By working in
tandem with associations like MAFCOCS we believe that we are taking another step
ahead in our 'World Ahead' program,” said Amar Babu, MD - Sales and
Marketing, Intel (South Asia).

He further added, “Intel understands the impact of research and innovation
required to address the socio-economic situations prevalent in rural communities
in India. Intel has, in the past, in consultation with various grass root
operators, designed a community PC to meet rural computing needs. This
association with MAFCOCS to deploy the community PC will further strengthen
Intel's initiatives in allowing technology to empower the community.”

India plays a pivotal role in Intel's World Ahead Program, as announced by
Intel's CEO in May this year. The country will benefit from Intel's efforts
to accelerate the reach of technology's benefits. Intel designs technology
solutions that meet specific needs of the developing world; the community PC is
one such example.

DQC News Bureau