[Technology]

EZY enters new sphere of business

EZY Holdings who have been making waves in the IT field with the introduction of their locally manufactured range of computers at revolutionary prices, have launched into a new area of business; that of motor racing!

"We have formed the EZY Motor Racing Corporation (EZY MotoR Corp) with a view to providing new stature for Sri Lankan motor racing.

The primary objective of this organisation would be to collaborate with quality partners, sign up with drivers, provide them with the resources and make them win under the brand name, EZY Racing", said Chief Executive EZY Holdings, as well as EZY Motor Racing Corporation, Shafraz Hamzadeen.

Explaining the rationale behind this move, Hamzadeen [who himself is a rally co-driver] said that the Company first entered the dynamic motor racing arena by sponsoring three outstanding drivers, namely Rizvi Farouk, Shafraz Junaid and Sajaad Zuhair, thereby creating the brand EZY Racing.

"The EZY Racing cars, the brand, its drivers and the brand of driving displayed by them ensured that EZY Racing fast became the most admired team on the racing grid", said Hamzadeen.

"EZY Racing concluded their inaugural year in racing by becoming the kingpin's of Sri Lankan Rally Racing, winning the Team Championship - 2009 as well as Drivers Championship - 2009; therefore we thought it made business sense to leverage on the success and form a separate company that would promote professional racing in Sri Lanka," he said.

Commenting on this initiative, 2009 Rally Champion Rizvi Farouk said 'Motor racing is a sport that needs to be reignited.

In fact this initiative by EZY is one of the greatest things that has happened to the sport.

EZY Racing became a successful racing team within a very short time.

This is because of the focus and efforts they put into racing. This new endeavour will take motor racing to professional heights hitherto only dreamed of in Sri Lanka.

I along with my other team mates are eagerly looking forward to the launch of the new car and partnerships with the EZY Motor Racing Corporation.'

The EZY Motor Racing Corporation's Motto is to 'Be the pinnacle of excellence in what we do, while their Vision is to 'Partner with the best, to develop the best in order to be the best'.

The Company's Goal for 2010 is to 'assist their drivers to be the best by providing them with every resource needed'.

As a business, Hamzadeen said it would further enhance business opportunities for their partners, as it was the Company's aim not just to build up the best racing team in the country, but to establish an admired brand for their partners, drivers, employees and other stakeholders."We wish to take Sri Lankan motor racing to a new standard. Currently there is a huge business opportunity in motor racing. Many people narrow it down just to the exposure they will get by sponsoring a car for what is in most cases a mere sticker on a car.

Right now motor racing in Sri Lanka is primarily a hobby and it is an expensive hobby at that. Most competitors spend millions of rupees on this per year, so one can only imagine what their disposable income is. It is this category that we intend to target for our business partners in EZY Racing.

The Knowledge Conglomerate to launch Ventures

Encouraged by the expected economic upturn in Sri Lanka and its potential impact on new knowledge based businesses, The Knowledge Conglomerate (an associate of MTI Consulting) has announced their search for Corporate Entrepreneurs, who will be charged with leading the several knowledge-based ventures that the company plans to launch in the near future.

This is indeed a great opportunity for corporate entrepreneurs to experiment with their skills and abilities. 'The concept of Corporate Entrepreneurs is a new concept and offers entrepreneurial professionals to work with The Knowledge Conglomerate to set-up entirely new knowledge based businesses, sharing both the risks and rewards that come with it' said Hilmy Cader, the Venture Promoter of The Knowledge Conglomerate.

Over a period of three years, starting April 2010, The Knowledge Conglomerate plans to evaluate the feasibility and launch knowledge-based ventures in some of the following domains, including joint ventures and strategic alliances.

The key areas that the company plans to focus on are business magazines, KPO/BPO's, socio economic research, technology, education: degrees/masters, event management, legal and tax advisory, energy and environment, company secretarial, investment research, market research, head hunting/executive search/marketing communications, training and executive education, corporate finance/fund management and webcom design.

Hilmy Cader the Venture Promoter of The Knowledge Conglomerate is also the CEO of MTI Consulting and The Knowledge Conglomerate operates as an associate of MTI Consulting. However, MTI will continue to be a highly focused, pure play strategy consultancy and managed independently and without getting involved with operations of the venture.

The search for Corporate Entrepreneurs will focus on those with experience that can be converted to a profitable competence and have the desire that can be converted to a solid commitment to start-up a new venture and go through the trying challenges of such a process. 'They should be able to operate in a no-frills, hands-on and young organisation which means you roll up your sleeves and do what it takes to make the business a success, minus the unproductive cubicles, secretaries and assistants'.

Further explaining the concept, Hilmy Cader emphasised that 'These are all dedicated positions that offers flexible work times, durations and place of work. It is not a part-time option while engaging in another job or a directly competing job/industry.

Panasonic annual dealer convention

Panasonic held its Annual Dealer Convention on March 12 at the Grand Ballroom of the Galadari Hotel. Uni Walkers (Pvt) Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of the Softlogic Group, which is also the National Distributor and Service Partner for Panasonic Consumer Electronics and Office Automation products in Sri Lanka, together with a distinguished delegation from Panasonic Corporation Japan and India hosted the event.

The event saw the unveiling of some of Panasonic's key focus products for the year, namely, Panasonic's World famous Plasma TV technology and LCD TV Line-up. Panasonic unveiled its two flagship models for Plasma TV - The Panasonic Viera 65-Inch Plasma TV and the Z Series World's slimmest, one inch thin panelled 54-Inch Plasma, which are both fully manufactured in Japan, and are the two foremost Plasma models available in the market today.

These two products were huge attractions showcasing the best of Panasonic's picture quality and Superior world leading technology. In addition, on display were the Panasonic Viera 42-Inch Plasma TV and the LCD TV lineup starting from the 42-Inch model.

Panasonic's latest models of Energy saving Intelligent Inverter Air conditioners were on display, which bring customers the highest energy saving in the market of 60% cost savings on Energy, together with its Eco Patrol sensor which detects human presence in the room and regulates temperature accordingly.

Panasonic Rice Cookers, which are much more than a traditional Rice Cooker delivering more value and utility, by acting also as an automatic cooker were showcased.

A separate demo corner was exhibited, whereby experts from India, demonstrated the many culinary uses of the Panasonic Rice cooker by making fine local dishes and allowing the dealers to sample it.

Xerox partners with Softlogic

Xerox India Ltd. has appointed Softlogic as its National Partner for the Sri Lanka market.

Under the partnership, Softlogic will be responsible for marketing, distribution, sales and support of Xerox's end to end portfolio of products and technology solutions including digital production equipment, office automation products and document management services.

As a first step, Xerox and Softlogic launched Xerox Solid Ink Printers and the total range of mono, colour laser printers and photocopiers in Sri Lanka. Solid Ink is a proven colour printing technology exclusively offered by Xerox, which uses non-toxic ink instead of toner or ink cartridges.

The technology has been widely appreciated across the globe because of its easy to use features, incredible colour print quality and cost effectiveness.

Softlogic, with its vast network across the country, will play an instrumental role in expanding Xerox's geographical reach in the Sri Lanka market. Softlogic's network currently span areas such as Colombo and Greater Colombo, Ratnapura, Badulla, Kandy, Matara, Gampaha, Avissawella including the North and the East.

Speaking about the partnership, Vipin Tuteja, Executive Director of Xerox India said, 'Softlogic is a leading IT solutions player in Sri Lanka. With their expertise and large retailer network, Softlogic is ideally positioned to establish a national presence for Xerox products. We hope to strengthen Xerox's reach in the Sri Lanka market with this partnership.'

Tuteja further added, 'Sri Lanka is an extremely important market for us. We are confident that together Xerox and Softlogic will collaborate to earn retailer and consumer confidence and market leadership in the digital printing segment in the country.'