The great software show
A radio controlled unmanned vehicle system caught much attention at the SoftExpo 2010. Photo: AMRAN HOSSAIN
Computing in Bangla should be the driving force to pave the way to realising the vision of 'Digital Bangladesh'. All our daily, official and activities at home, work, business and other development sectors should be facilitated by Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This is the theme for the ongoing SoftExpo 2010, the highest-level of razzmatazz in the software sector in Bangladesh, which was arranged by the Bangladesh Association for Software and Information Services (BASIS). The five-day fair kicked off on February 10 and will continue till February 14 at the Bangabandhu Friendship Conference Centre. The fair enjoyed large crowds from the very beginning, as software developers, buyers, ICT enthusiasts, professionals, development sector activists, academicians and students thronged the different stalls. A total of 77 local and international companies are participating at the fair with 112 stalls. The students of United International University are displaying a 'robotic hand' that can carry objects from one place to another. They are also showcasing two robotic cars -- one can move along a metal-paved path automatically while the other can change its direction if there are any obstacles in front. The students also came to the fair with an intelligent unmanned radio-controlled vehicle, developed by the students of the department of computer science and engineering, (Robotics and AI Systems), and a Smart Traffic Signal System, facilitated with software developed locally to ease traffic and provide better traffic management for Dhaka city. Reve Systems is displaying mobile VOIP solutions through which the company has been representing Bangladesh worldwide. Onkur and Bangladesh Open Source Network are participating in the fair with Bangla computing solutions. Databiz Incorporated is showcasing 72 local software service centres across the country while Leads came up with banking software. Computer Ease Ltd is showcasing mobile phone and PDA based survey systems. Computer and Telecom Bichitra, a monthly computer magazine, is selling a documentary on a blood cancer patient, Rubel, a student of Sirajganj Government College, through which, the magazine is helping him collect money for his treatment. Computer Jagat, another monthly computer magazine, is webcasting the seminars and events of Softexpo 2010, live through their website, comjagat.com. A numbers of seminars have been organised in the fair that are drawing in a good number of IT experts, academicians, businessmen and others. Munir Hasan, a consultant to the Ministry of Science and of ICT, presented a keynote paper at a seminar titled 'New Business Opportunities After Opening Digital Payments'. He said if digital payments begin, the extent of e-commerce, e-transaction and the volume of e-business will expand and many e-shops will start operations. In addition, the ICT boom will help the rural population enjoy the paid service at local IT centres, without commuting to the cities, he added. Softexpo 2010 is also facilitating visitors with free internet through WiMax technology. The entry fee to the fair is Tk 20, while students are enjoying free entry from 10 am to 5 pm. Any Grameenphone subscriber can also purchase the entry ticket through his mobile phone by typing BASIS in the message option and sending it to 2777. Nevertheless, the fair is drawing mixed reactions among the participants and visitors. Jewel Rana, a third year student of Mirpur College, said a company said they are providing electronic survey systems, but they are not showcasing the real thing. Many exhibitors are here only with a PC or two, but they could showcase many more of their products and services, such as software development procedures and entertainment-based software. Bhuiyan Inam Lenin, a veteran IT journalist of the country and editor of the monthly Computer Bichitra, said though IT business leaders in the pre-fair press conference declared that Bangladesh's IT market is now worth Tk 1,000 crore and the local software market is worth between Tk 600 and Tk 700 crore, hardly any software developing companies declare or reveal their software export figures. If this is the situation, then the software sector would not flourish, as the government will not be interested in it, he said. He admitted that the government should create a business-friendly atmosphere to make software vendors speak up.
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