Emergent Democracy Enabling An eGovernance Ecosystem Rajesh Jain Netcore Solutions Tel: [phone]

1
Emergent DemocracyEnabling An eGovernance
EcosystemRajesh JainNetcore SolutionsTel
91 (22) 5662 8000 Fax [phone]
8134Email rajesh_at_netcore.co.inPersonal
Weblog http//www.emergic.orgCompany Website
http//www.netcore.co.in
2
I have a vested interest in the future, because I
plan on living there. - Neil Gershenfeld (MIT
Media Lab)
3
Imagine the Future...

• Growth of 10
• Double Per Capita Income to Rs 25,000 p.a. in 3-5
  years
• Employment Generation
• 100 Literacy and Computer Literacy
• Leadership in IT
• Transparency and Accountability in Governance
• Increase People's Self-belief and Self-confidence
• Entrepreneurial and Community-driven initiatives

4
...and Fold the Future In

• Enable Emergent, Democratic, eGovernance
  Ecosystem
• Emergent bottom-up whole is greater than sum of
  parts
• Democratic Built with, for people 2-way
  information flow
• eGovernance eServices for Citizens, Businesses
  SMART
• Ecosystem self-sustaining, replicable, viable
• A Connected Computer accessible to every employee
  and family
• Mass-Market Tech Utility (via Takniki Pragati
  Kendras)
• Intelligent, Real-Time Governance

5
My Beliefs

• Biggest Force is 10X Vision
• Imagine a different future, and then go out and
  build it
• Technology creates discontinuities and leapfrog
  opportunities
• Emerging Markets Technology's next markets
• Bridge digital divide Target bottom of the
  pyramid
• 4 billion users and 25 million SMEs globally
• Needed low-cost, affordable solutions, with
  minimal RD costs
• Lag hardware by one generation use latest
  software and communications
• Mass Access to Computing and Internet can enable
  the New India
• A passport to a better life, a growing business
  hope for better tomorrow
• Provide growth and employment opportunities
• We have to build the New India

6
Key Building Blocks 3 Ls 3 Ws

• Low-cost Computing The Rs 5,000 PC
• Linux Open-source software base
• Local Language Beyond English
• WiFi Open spectrum for connectivity
• Web Services eBusiness Applications Platform
• Weblogs Harness tacit knowledge voices from
  within

7
Mass-Market Tech Utility

• A Vision for a Digitally Bridged Society

8
The ICT-Digital Divide Story So Far

• No shortage of ideas or success stories
• Gyandoot, Warna, Bhoomi, eSeva...
• Need, Vision and Will are there
• In many cases, so are the Resources
• Yet Why isn't India Digitally Bridged by now?
• Something is missing
• Business Model? Scalability? Sustainability?
  Replicability? Commercial Viability?

9
The Problems

• Thinking Pilots, Prototypes, Demos, Showcases
• Solutions are being created in silos, in niches
• Our vision is too narrow and small
• Mindset is focused on incrementalist innovation
• when the need is for disruptive innovations
• We are not thinking in terms of mass-market...
• ... or in terms of replicability for millions
• The Real Digital Divide is between
• Envisioners, Technologists and Implementers

10
What's Needed in ICT Solutions

• Mass-Market for tens of millions of people
• Scalable can be replicated rapidly
• Emergent bottom-up, entrepreneur-driven
• Low RD Costs don't recreate but aggregate
• Extremely Affordable we are still a poor country
• Technologically forward-looking nothing less!
• Leapfrog more than just catch-up
• Platform-orientation to enable an ecosystem
• Commercially Viable a business model

11
Vision Redux Digitally Bridged MP

• A connected computer accessible to every family
• Everyone is literate and computer-literate
• Can email, browse, search, compose letters, fill
  forms
• Computing taught and available in every school
• All Citizens have access to eServices for
  government interactions
• Technology as a Utility
• for the Bottom of the Pyramid

12
Four Characteristics of a Utility

• Commonplace
• It is ubiquitous, accessible and virtue
• We only know of its presence when it doesn't work
• Affordable
• Payment is by use, on a "subscription" basis
• Reliable
• It does not "crash"
• Mass Distribution Framework
• There is a Network, which lets the utility be
  available everywhere

13

• To build the
• New India and New MP,
• we need a Tech Utility.
• To make this a reality
• and to bridge the digital divide,
• we need Disruptive Innovations.

14
The Great Leap Driving Innovation from the Base
of the Pyramid

• Disruptive Innovations compete against
  nonconsumption that is, they offer a product or
  service to people who would otherwise be left out
  entirely or poorly served by existing products
  and who are therefore quite happy to have a
  simpler, more modest version of what is available
  in the high-end markets.
• - Stuart Hart and Clayton Christensen (Sloan
  Management Review)

15
5KPC as Disruptive Innovation

• Imagine the Rs 5,000 Personal Computer (5KPC)
• 5KPC as a network device (like cellphone, TV)
• Recycle older computers as desktop PCs
• Can optionally use TV as monitor
• Sealed Endpoint zero-maintenance
• Centralised storage and computing (Thick Server)
• WiFi to extend 5KPCs into neighbourhood areas
• Targets Non-consumption
• The 5KPC is at the heart of the Tech Utility

16
The Tech Utility Challenge

• 10 Basic Services for a small, fixed, monthly fee
  
• Mandi, Grievance Redressal, Forms, Certificates
• Khasra, Exam Results, Email and Internet Access
• Literacy Programs, Training, Health information
• Additional services will cost extra
• Free Computers for local school
• A Platform for developing other services
• Easy-to-use interfaces
• Simple to manage and support remotely

17
The Solution TeleInfoCentresTakniki Pragati
Kendras

• Computer and Communications Centre
• Cluster of 5 or more computers (can be old PCs
  also)
• Email Instant Messaging Web Browsing Printing
• Server-Centric Computing and Storage
• Support for Local Languages
• Content and Applications Mirrored on Local Server
• Software Distribution Last Mile Bridge
• Hub-and-Spoke Extensions
• Neighbourhood Wireless Network
• Enabling eCommerce / eGovernment / eServices

18
The TeleInfoCentre

• 1 Server (Rs 30,000) 4 Thin Clients (Rs 10,000
  each)
• Software, LAN, Scanner, Printer, Webcam (Rs
  25,000)
• WAN Connectivity Dial-up, WiFi, WLL
• WiFi Hub Rs 7,000 Each Card Rs 4,000
• Also TV, Radio, Fax MachineCopier, Phone (PCO)
• Power UPS or Car Battery (Rs 5,000) or Solar
  Power
• Powered by Linux Terminal-Server Software
• All Basic Apps Browser, Email, Office suite, IM
• Support for English and Hindi
• Entrepreneur-driven (by Prerak)

19
What else can a TeleInfoCentre do?

• GyandooteChoupalJan Shikshan Kendras, rolled
  into one
• Digital Library Content on local hard disks,
  updated periodically by CD (until high-speed Net
  access is available)
• A Citizen Community Weblog to discuss
  priorities/initiatives
• Instant Business Office for businesses /
  entrepreneurs
• Wireless Access Point to enable 5KPCs elsewhere
  in the vicinity (homes, hospital) to connect into
  network
• Software Applications locally pay-per-use, for
  accounting, agriculture, village planning
• Storage Space for Documents land records,
  certificates, etc.
• Microcredit Centre (via Smart Cards) Marketplace
  for local crafts
• Classifieds, Local News, Feedback on Govt Schemes

20
Solution Differentiators

• Rs 5,000 computers vs Rs 50,000 computer
• Linux/Open-Source vs Proprietary software
• TeleInfoCentre in each village vs Kiosk across
  many
• Wireless (WiFi/WLL) vs Wired connectivity
• English and Hindi vs English only
• Multi-functional vs Uni-functional
• User-generated content vs top-down broadcast
• Fixed cost for basic services vs pay-per-service

21
The Economics

• Startup-costs for 5-computer centre Rs 1,20,000
• Monthly running costs Rs 4,500 (salary,
  connectivity, maintenance)
• 3-year TCO about Rs 2,80,000
• Monthly cost Rs 8,500
• 1 TeleInfoCentre supports 1,500 people (350
  families)
• Cost per family Rs 25 per month (or lower)
• How to make this work?

22
How much is Rs 25 per month?

• MP Per Capita Income Rs 12,000 p.a. (Rs 1,000
  p.m.)
• Avg Income for family of 4 Rs 4,000 p.m.
• At the bottom-end, take half of this Rs 2,000
  p.m.
• Will this family spend Rs 25 per month / Re 1
  daily?

23
They will spend Rs 25 per month IF

• It can offer hopes of additional income (growth
  in livelihood)
• It can remove pain from their lives (government
  interactions)
• It can improve their skillsets (learn to do
  things better, retraining)
• It can make them more productive (agriculture,
  crafts)
• It can offer their children a brighter future
  (education, jobs)
• It can provide them a voice to and response from
  government within a specified time period

24
Can this Rs 25 figure be reduced?

• Yes, by offering additional services at
  TeleInfoCentre
• Advertising a platform for rural marketing
• eCommerce can aggregate buyers to lower prices
• Data Entry (since there are multiple computers
  now)
• Also consider
• Existing older PCs can be re-used as thin
  clients
• Computer Costs amortized over 3 years only
• Schools get computers for free

25
Make Colleges part of the Ecosystem

• Students can help provide Linux support
• Appropriate projects for final-year engineering
  students
• Others help in content development and creating
  of training modules
• Creates an IT talent base for businesses
• Leadership in open-source software development
• An Innovations Fund/Contest - for the best
• Stimulate the Creativity of the Young Human Mind

26
Next Steps

• Set up TeleInfoCentres in selected villages
• Bottom-up demand-based model like EGS
• Apply the 80-20 rule 20 services 80 impact
• Leverage MP's strength Rapid Decentralised
  Execution
• A platform for add-on services content and
  applications
• Show entrepreneurs a business model (franchise)
• Make it self-sustaining No government subsidies
• Target scale-up 10,000 TeleInfoCentres in a year
  and take it to every village in the next 5 years
• Ambitious? Yes. Doable? Yes.
• We are the government, right?

27
Intelligent, Real-Time Governance

• Unleash the Power within

28
A Government is like a large, multi-locational
EnterpriseThink of an Intelligent, Real-Time
Enterprise......and apply these ideas to create
an Intelligent, Real-Time Government
29
The Intelligent, Real-Time Enterprise

• A real-time enterprise is a company that uses
  Internet technology to drive out manual business
  processes, to eliminate guesswork, and to reduce
  costs.
• The key feature of a real-time enterprise is
  spontaneous transaction flow.
• Ray Lane, General Partner, Kleiner Perkins

30
IRTE Characteristics

• Computing and Communications available to every
  employee
• Superior Information Availability across the
  Value Chain
• Streamlined Business Processes using the Web
• Lower Inventory through improved Analytics
• Data entered only Once
• Single Interface to all Applications

31
Source E-business Roadmap for Success by Ravi
Kalakota
32
The Intelligent, Real-Time Government

• Computing and Communications available to every
  employee
• Superior Information Availability across the
  Value Chain (state, panchayats)
• Streamlined Business Processes (back-end
  automation) using the Web
• Lower Inventory (Delays) through improved
  Analytics
• eProcurement, to ensure transparency and speed
• Data entered only Once
• Single Interface to all Applications
• A corporate atmosphere with a social bias

33
The 4 Pillars of IRTG Architecture

• Messaging and Internet Access for all employees
• Computing for all
• Collaboration and Knowledge Management
• Business Process Automation

34
Messaging

• Email ID for all
• Instant Messaging
• Internet access at every location
• Global Address Book
• Integration with Cellphone/SMS for real-time
  alerts

35
Computing for All

• A Rs 5,000 PC for every employee
• Reuse older, existing computers
• Limited base set of applications on desktops
• Email, Browser, Office suite, IM
• Based on Linux and Open-Source
• Support for English and Hindi
• Mandatory Computer Training

36
Collaboration and Knowledge Management

• Make people individually more productive
• Make teams work together more efficiently
• Support Decision-making and Workflow
• Digital Dashboard one screen to rule them all
• Harnessing Tacit Knowledge through Weblogs

37
Business Process Automation

• Manage Money (Accounting) and Citizens/Businesses
  (CRM)
• Focus on the core processes and events
• Exception-Handling, not routine management
• Two-way information flow (state lt-gt local bodies)
• RosettaNet for standardising Industry
  Interactions
• Integrated Databases (only handle information
  once)
• eProcurement centralised, electronic purchasing
• Involve engineering college students and local
  software cos. for applications development
• Software Web Services and Open-source based

38
The Result Emergent Democracy

• MP's Digital Nervous System
• A Digital State in 2-3 years
• Reduced information asymmetry between
  administration and citizenry
• Will increase transparency and accountability,
  and reduce corruption
• Government functioning like efficient enterprises
• Limited Legacy, so can Leapfrog other states
• Creates a local IT infrastructure / ecosystem
• Real-time feedback on schemes and problems
• SMART Governance

39
The Economics

• Technology Cost Rs 500-700 per person / month
• If employees can be made 10 more productive, it
  will payback immediately
• How do we make this happen?

40
Execution

• Think Big, Start Small and Scale Fast
• WillVision, and Entrepreneurial Thinking
• Dan Bricklin's Comment
• In big business, when you need to cross a river,
  you simply design a bridge, build it, and march
  right across.
• But in a small venture, you must climb the rocks.
  You don't know where each step will take you, but
  you do know the general direction you are moving
  in. If you make a mistake, you get wet. If your
  calculations are wrong, you have to inch your way
  back to safety and find a different route.
• And, as you jump from rock to slippery rock, you
  have to like the feeling.