Technology

Adam launches system X desktops

Sapumali Galagoda

System X desktop computers were launched by the Adam Group of Companies together with its partners Intel last week in Colombo.

Adam Group is the IT branch of Network Communications (Pvt) Ltd (NETCOM).

The System X comes with a Intel 2.8GHz dual core processor, Intel G31 chipset motherboard with onboard graphics card, 1 GB DDR11 memory (upgradeable), 500GB STA hard disk drive, DVD/RW burner (SATA), 16" Viewsonic LCD monitor, Keyboard with optical mouse, USB speaker and a web camera.

It also includes the licensed Microsoft operating system having partnered with Microsoft Sri Lanka.

The new desktop which is assembled in Sri Lanka comes with a three year warranty.

The desktop is powered by the Intel Pentium processor with Intel dual core technology to give good performance, low power enhancement and multi tasking for everyday use.

NETCOM has been in the IT and computer field for eight years and served as the distributor for brands such as Hewlett Packard, EAST UPS, Hitachi, Viewsonic and Ultrasonic.

System X will provide a solution for Sri Lankans especially when the country is gearing towards being IT savvy.

There's a huge market and System X will offer a faster response to customer needs especially where warranty and quality assurance is concerned", said the Chief Operating Officer of NETCOM, Larry Adams.

SLT introduces Mega-Office, Mega-Home call plans

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), recently introduced more simplified and more customer friendly call plans for Megaline customers.

Two different sets of call plans are now on offer for new and existing Megaline customers; Mega-Office, targeted at business customers and Mega-Home, for residential customers.

Mega-Home

Under this call plan, there is no start up fee involved and the rental is only Rs. 310 per month, compared to the earlier rental of Rs. 345.

Call rates vary depending on three variables: the call type (whether calls are made within the SLT network, or calls made to other networks); whether single (voice only), dual (voice and broadband/IPTV) or triple play (voice, broadband and IPTV); the time during which the calls are made (either during active hours - between 07.00 am and 07.00 pm on weekdays and 07.00 am to 02.00 pm on Saturdays, or during leisure hours - between 07.00 pm and 07.00 am the following day on weekdays, on Saturdays from 02.00 pm to 07.00 am and 03.00 pm to midnight and the full day on Sundays and other public holidays).

The number of off-peak (leisure hours) has been extended from 63 hours to 101 hours whereas peak hours (active hours) have been reduced to 67 hours, from 105 hours from earlier.

For residential customers, since more than 50 percent of calls are made during the leisure hour period, this call plan provides them with the lowest call rates in the country of Rs. 1 per minute for SLT to SLT calls and Rs. 2 per minute for calls to other networks during this period.

During active hours, call charges have been further reduced for double play and triple play customers, to encourage double/triple play and help customers to obtain the maximum value for money.

As a bonus feature, the Mega-Home call plan offers free CLI (caller line identification) and 100 minutes of free talk time for calls within T network.

Mega-Office

The Mega-Office call plan also does not include a start up fee, and the monthly rental has been further reduced to Rs. 499 from the previous monthly rental of Rs. 950.

In business customers, it has been found that more than 50 percent of calls last longer than three minutes; hence time bands are not differentiated for these customers, and instead they are provided with the lowest calling rates in the country for the majority of their calling minutes - that is Rs. 1 per minute for SLT to SLT calls and Rs. 2 per minute for calls to other networks, from the third minute onwards.

Upto the third minute, these customers are charged at Rs. 1.90 per minute for calls within the SLT network and Rs. 2.90 per minute for calls to other networks for single play customers whereas further reductions are provided for double and triple play customers to encourage and promote double and triple play for the provision of optimum benefits for these customers.

Mega-Office customers are also provided priority fault attendance and more value added services free of charge including CLI, Call waiting, Call conferencing, Call forwarding, Abbreviated dialing, and Absentee services.

For both Mega-Home and Mega-Office call plans, all call charges are calculated on a per minute basis and SLT Internet dial up charges remain at 50 cents per minute for all time bands and call types

SLT Megaline

SLT Megaline, SLT’s fixed wireline telephone connections provided through its islandwide copper wireline infrastructure, was launched in August 2008, to provide customers with wireline connections through four separate packages: 10.2

Providence BPO increases service capacity

Provider of superior Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Inbound and Outbound Contact centre services, Providence Business Services (Pvt) Ltd has added 105 seats to its existing capacity. Providence offers customised services to its local and international clients for their non-core business areas.

This helps clients to better concentrate on their own core interests with a peace of mind. Managing Director of Providence Business Services S. Vaz Gnanam said, “As we provide 24/7/365 quality BPO services, we need to keep our promise in providing efficient services with the required capacity across all areas including Call Centre services and non-voices services such as Finance and Accounting, Social Media Optimisation (SMO), Medical Underwriting, Conversion Rate Optimisation and Data entry services.

This capacity increase will support effective execution of the services we provide”, he said.

Sri Lanka is a hub for the BOP/KPO industry. The industry currently serves many local and international organisations by delivering services across sectors, reaching people in all corners of the globe. The high literacy rate in the country produces highly capable and educated youth, who with proper training can be equipped with skill to serve global organisations via the local BPO/KPO industry.

Chief Executive Officer of Providence Business Services Shahed Naseem said, “Change” for better is one thing we practise everyday. Our people take ownership for what they do and are always working towards exceeding the service level agreements.

Since we are committed to grow Sri Lankan youth in the BPO sector, our human capital strategy allows us to offer them an option of selecting their work schedule from one to five days a week.