And now, ERP for educational institutes

HYDERABAD: A firm based in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, has developed an

integrated software package for use in educational institutes. Developed

initially for use in its own institute, Indo American Tourism Ltd. (IATL) will

commercially launch the first version starting this month under the brand name

PUJARIS Ed Soft. Believed to be the only solution of its kind, this is an online

integrated modular information system developed using Oracle 8.0 as the database

and Power Builder 6.0 as the front end with seven modules: human resource

management, quality assurance, materials management, financial management,

library management, examination management, and administration.

"There have been independent modules, but I believe that this is the

first integrated solution in the market for educational sector. This product

will allow college/school principals access to information on quality assurance

programs, student details, and even enable them to do comparative

analysis," according to V. Pujari, Managing Director, Indo American.

Pujari feels there is tremendous potential for this product in the market and

reveals, "We have hired the services of MAccess Vibes as the marketing

consultant, which would identify the territory and state franchisees to sell the

product. Pricing would be an important factor and we are aggressive on it."

The product is modular and the educational institutes will be offered the

flexibility of choice and price. The product would be priced around Rs 30,000

for all the modules.

According to V Madhusudan, head, M Access Vibes, the company is looking at

appointing territory and state franchisees in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka

initially, and later expand to Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. It is also looking at

markets in the Middle East, as it has been receiving several enquiries for the

product, adds Madusudan. In addition, the company plans to launch other

integrated products, also under the PUJARIS range--integrated software for the

hotel industry and business simulations product for students. While it plans to

launch the hotel software in April, the business simulation software is expected

to be released in August.

Indo American, which is basically a hotel management academy, has three

divisions under its fold: the educational division, the software division, and

tourism and resorts division. Indo American, which started in 1994, presently

has revenues worth Rs 1.5 crore and expects to double it this year, with the

launch of the new software under its PUJARIS range. It also plans to go public

in 2001 and be a portal too.