Datamini Technologies has introduced an Aadhaar authentication enabled, Janunnati Pad, targeting at government’s various flagship welfare programs. The Janunnati Pad, an ingeniously developed tablet aims to facilitate the delivery of many digital services offered by the government. In an exclusive interaction with Channel Times, Pitamber Ahuja, MD of Datamini Technologies shares his vision to promote this home grown offering not only in India but on the global platform.
Below are the excerpts from the exclusive interaction-:
How the home grown Janunnati Pad helps in availing e Governance benefits like DBT?
The Janunnati Pad is first-of-its-kind enterprise class, touch-enabled mobile device that comes with integrated STQC-certified fingerprint scanner for Aadhaar authentication. The Tablet, can be used to help in the implementation of key e-Governance initiatives such as DBT (Direct Benefits Transfer) via Aadhaar-linked savings bank accounts of scheme beneficiaries, through its inbuilt fingerprint scanner, payments card reader and barcode scanner.
It is an integrated and complete solution that promises to usher in an m-Gov and retail-focused mPoS (mobile Point of Sales) revolution in the country. The Janunnati Pad may not reach the masses as its use is for Governments and banks and other institutions. However, the benefits of the products services can be availed by the masses when they engage with organizations using the Janunnati Pad while providing consumers with the benefits of the DBT based, Aadhaar linked schemes.
The economical price proposition complements the feature proposition further.
How do you align yourself with the Make in India and Digital India initiative?
We have a strong legacy of contributing to the Make-in-India focus for over two decades now. The Janunnati Pad considerably aligns with the Government of India’s Make-in-India and Digital India initiative. Janunnati is a fully homegrown product which is manufactured entirely in India, and entitled under the Government’s Preferential Market Access Scheme (PMA Scheme).
On the product line-up, the current version of Janunnati Pad is enabled with finger-print scanning enabling Aadhaar authentication. The next version of Janunnati Pad will be powered by Iris Authentication capabilities as well. In the coming months, we will also manufacture accessories for the Pad such as Pad covers, Pad stands that are table-mounted or wall-mounted, consoles or covers for the Pad which are water proof and shock proof. However, these will be launched in the forthcoming phase of the product. Overall our focus is to usher in new benchmarks in pushing the industry towards lowering the transaction cost.
What are the key trends do you identify in the electronics manufacturing sector in India? What are the pain areas in local manufacturing?
The key trends in the electronics manufacturing is enhancing of offerings in the mobiles and accessories space. Television manufacturing is also the area which seems to be bullish. Devices and hardware are no longer looked upon as mere products, but rather the end-user expectations have evolved to consider these as solutions addressing a need.
Additionally, in the last few years, Indian manufacturers in the electronics space have built the confidence to develop world-class products that cater not only to the domestic audience but also to global markets. Smartphones and the digital age have largely triggered this self-belief.
On the challenge front, domestic IT manufacturers still view for parity when it comes to access to world class players in the ecosystem value chain. The ecosystem needs further development. To cite an illustration, manufacturers need to rely on imported components for developing the product. It is important that emphasis is given on backward integration to boost output of domestic IT manufacturers.
How will the Make in India initiative bolster local manufacturing in the country?
The Make in India initiative will definitely bolster local manufacturing in the country. The Government of India has initiated an array of schemes which are beneficial and economically viable to the local manufacturers, thereby encouraging them to ‘Make-in-India’. The Janunnati Pad is a shining illustration of Make-in-India which is manufactured under the government’s Preferential Market Access Scheme. This Pad is manufactured in SEEPZ, SEZ for exports across geographies.
How are you competing with the global and domestic tablet makers?
The Janunnati Pad is more than just an ordinary tablet and hence, it’s competition is not just restricted to off-the-shelf electronic devices. The product is competing with the POS terminals. The Pad offers a superior alternative with improved technology, advanced operating system and a bigger screen. The unique differentiator of the pad is it facilitates new-age governance and services such as digital payments and makes the tab stand apart from the crowd.
What is your Go to Market and Channel strategy for Janunnati Pad?
The go-to-market strategy is to enter into strategic partnerships and tie-ups with system integrators, software solutions providers to offer a complete solution to various verticals and segments. The verticals include an array of sectors such as Government, BFSI, healthcare etc.
Datamini is also mulling to go global with this product, especially in the African markets. What is your business strategy for overseas markets?
Datamini foresees potential not only in India but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Ghana where there is a demand for similar kind of applications as that of Janunnati Pad. The strategy is to leverage such markets through forming alliances with local partners and offer them fully integrated solutions.