Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella spoke at the company’s ‘Future Decoded’ event and announced a new offering for mobile-first and mobile-only markets – Skype Lite. Skype Lite allows communication and collaboration over low-bandwidth networks and will bring Aadhaar integration to the app by June 2017.
“At Microsoft, we aim to empower every Indian and every Indian organisation to achieve more,” said Nadella. “With the transformative power of the cloud, we are enabling Indian start-ups, businesses of all sizes, and government agencies to build new digital capability, find new growth and seize the opportunities ahead.”
He further announced that State Bank of India - India’s largest bank, has chosen Office365 to drive communication and collaboration among its employees. He spoke of a blended learning platform that brings together Microsoft’s cloud technologies and LinkedIn’s job search capabilities. Referred to as Project Sangam, it can create a life-long skilling platform for Indian workers. Nadella also mentioned Kaizala, a productivity app that helps organisations connect with mobile only users to get work done on simple and secure chat interface.
After listening to Nadella at the event, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced that he is going to sign a deal with LinkedIn immediately for the state of Andhra Pradesh. “Using Microsoft platforms, with the help of real time governance, Andhra Pradesh will be a place to be in without corruption and red-tapism,” said Naidu.
“Cloud computing is a game changer and new technologies are showing a lot of transparency,” said Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, Maharashtra. “Cloud computing has the capacity to put our resources to best use,” he said justifying his decision to implement cloud computing solutions in a bid to strengthen the e-governance in the state.
At the event, Microsoft showcased its cloud and mobile technologies that are driving digital transformation across large, medium and small enterprises and across government departments in India. State Bank of India, Flipkart, Tata Motors, and government departments across the states of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are using Microsoft’s cloud and mobile technologies to empower employees, engage customers, optimise processes and transform products and services.
Skype LiteSkype Lite is the fast and light integrated communications app, designed for India. It is Microsoft’s fastest and smallest Skype app to date. Skype Lite is built to help people in India stay connected in challenging network conditions, as it is lightweight and fast. Skype Lite contains features specifically designed for India, including help to manage SMS by intelligently removing clutter, mobile data and Wi-Fi usage monitoring, India-focused Skype Bots and power saving functionality. The app will be available in seven local languages: Gujarati, Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Skype will also bring Aadhaar integration to the app by June 2017. With this integration, Skype users will be able to authenticate the identity of unknown callers in a variety of situations where identification verification is required, including job interviews, goods and property sale.
Project SangamProject Sangam is a life-long skill development and jobs platform designed for Indians. It aims to bridge the widening skill gap in the country today. This platform will enable blended online and offline, teaching and learning. The project aims to connect the skills learning programs directly with relevant jobs, by leveraging the power of LinkedIn’s extensive job search platform. Project Sangam will allow users to register using their Aadhaar identity ensuring life-long access to the platform. Project Sangam can strengthen the skilling eco-system in India and has the potential to benefit millions of new skill seekers in the country.
KaizalaKaizala is for collaboration between desktop and mobile computing users. It is available on all leading mobile platforms. Kaizala offers seamless convergence of an instant messenger and a productivity enhancer for those always on the move. Kaizala has been successfully tested by the Government of Andhra Pradesh at a 12-day mega event involving 20 million people. The Government of Andhra Pradesh now plans to replicate it across many departments to implement real-time governance across the state.
Skype Lite is available now for free download from the Google Play store. The Aadhaar in-app authentication feature will be available by June 2017. At its two-day flagship technology and business conference, Future Decoded, Microsoft along with its customers such as KPMG, Tata Motors, Apollo Healthcare, Havells also demonstrated how these businesses have digitally transformed themselves using the Azure powered modern technologies including IoT and Artificial Intelligence.
BW Reporters
The author is associate editor at BW Businessworld
