An intelligent coffee table?

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Having conquered software, Microsoft now looks to dominate the hardware industry

Desktops are antediluvian, laptops are prehistoric, and palmtops are passé; the time has come to make way for tabletops – the latest of the breed. However, this time it is not computer giants like IBM or HP that are leading this revolution, it is the software giant Microsoft which has launched an entirely new product category called surface computing. It’s a 30 inch screen, which sits atop a 21 inch long coffee table. Though it sounds ordinary, Microsoft’s Surface Computer has the potential to turn your coffee table into a dynamic and vibrant intuitive surface that allows you to have effortless interaction with all possible forms of digital content using your hands and natural movements.

“With Surface, we are creating more intuitive ways for people to interact with technology. We see this as a multi-billion dollar category, and we envision a time when surface computing technologies will be all-pervasive, from tabletops and counters to the hallway mirror. Surface, in fact, is the first step in realizing that vision,” says Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft.

Yes! Now you don’t need to shuffle endlessly with that cumbersome keyboard and mouse, instead use your fingers to perform tasks on the Surface, literally! So, now while browsing through your favourite music albums, you would be able to drag your favourite songs to your play list just by moving your finger across the Surface computer.

There is more to it. If you are in the process of finding information about a particular area, you can use the map by moving it or shrinking it and can also gather some relevant data about that particular area, while still sipping your coffee or having your dinner.

“Surface computing is going to revolutionise everyday lives. It lets us manipulate a tremendous amount of information with our hands so that the content works with you rather than for you,” explains Tom Gibbons, Corporate Vice President, Productivity and Extended Consumer Experiences Group, Microsoft.

Well, if that was not enough to leave you flabbergasted, your Surface computer can also recommend preferable drinks and food to you and will also alert the waiter when there is a need to refill your drinks. What’s more, if you happen to place your phone over the Surface, it even has the ability to sense the model and make of the phone and will recommend suitable upgrades, ringtones and other mobile accessories for your consumption. Phew!

Unlike the traditional touch screen panels, Surface with its multi touch and multi user abilities, recognizes many points of contact at once. This allows multiple users to use this single unique system simultaneously.

This is the first time in computing history that a collaborative and face to face computing experience has been introduced. Rest assured, like email changed the way we stayed in touch and ATMs revolutionised our banking experience; Microsoft’s Surface Computer is all set to transform our computing experience, making it more intuitive, enigmatic and enjoyable...

Edit bureau: Devdeep

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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‘Forti’fication in RetailWORLD

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Combine FMCG & healthcare biz. What do you get? A retailer’s dream come true!

India’s retail fire continues to burn. And even as the spat between brand-doctor and corporate hospital, Escorts has ended with cardiologist Naresh Trehan’s exit from the Group, the flagship brand Fortis Healthcare continues to forge ahead with its retail ambitions. The format? Blend personal care and medicines with retail and let the magic work. The fresh brand in their stable? ‘Fortis HealthWorld’, and with an investment of Rs.800 crore, the company’s gungho on charting out a pan India presence via 1,000 stores by 2011. In March 2007, the company first rolled out its tenth round the clock health store in the NCR. Considering that the health and well-being market is estimated to fetch a staggering $24 billion annually; and the personal care segment is recording sustained double digit growths too, little wonder that even before Fortis came on the scene, other healthcare companies (98.4 degree, Health Glow, Life Spring and more recently Dabur) were already reaping rich rewards. Ashish Kirpal Pundit, CEO, Fortis HealthWorld, talked forthrightly to 4Ps B&M about competition, the present and the future. Excerpts from the interview:

Many big players are already into pharmacies. What is your big differentiation and winning point?
Yes! There are many players in the reckoning, but none have provided a complete range of medicines. With Fortis HealthWorld, we provide holistic medicines, health food required for certain diseases, doctor’s consultation (OPD), OTC drugs, and even Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medicines. We are a complete one stop medicine shop and that’s where we are different from others.

But even Dabur claims a similar USP and they also ventured into retail at the same time as you?
We have our hospitals and we are in touch with top doctors and specialists (unlike Dabur?). So even if you don’t need any medicine, but instead need an appointment with certain doctors, we can organize that just as easily. We are working to assist people round the clock and are available even if they want to be admitted in any of our hospitals in an emergency situation. And of course, SRL Ranbaxy, would be another clear distinguisher, which enables us to house even diagnostic centres within the premises of our stores.

Why did you prefer to create a separate company for your retail foray?
Fortis HealthCare is into hospitals and it was necessary to have a separate company, as the venture is totally different from hospitals. At the same time we wanted to be more focused, so we created a new brand. In February 2007 we listed it, as we are planning for many acquisitions.

You will have both FMCG products and drugs in your stores. Which will have a bigger share of the pie?
No, our focus is purely into health and that’s what Ranbaxy is known for. We might have personal care but it’s got to have a direct link to health. Like if it’s toothpaste it will definitely enhance your health. And we are more into drugs and medicines. We are testing the option of tying up exclusively with some life saving drug-manufacturing companies abroad. We are a health store addressing the daily health related needs, for this reason we are trying to set up our stores in the heart of every locality.

What’s next?
We will be leveraging our Group’s strength and will soon have a presence in 400 small towns and cities, apart from metros.

Edit bureau: Angshuman Paul

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

For More IIPM Info, Visit Below....
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