Microsoft Prepares Internet Cafe Program
VIVAnews - Microsoft is preparing a new scheme for Internet cafes in Indonesia to alleviate costs of Microsoft software licensing at PCs. As a pilot project, Microsoft is collaborating with Multiplus, a local Internet cafe network that owns around 140 outlets in 30 cities in Indonesia.
"Through the program, Microsoft supports Internet cafes in Indonesia with more affordable licenses plus E-learning programs that can be a new business model for other Internet cafes," said Microsoft President Director Tony Chen on Thursday, Dec 11.
According to Cheng, the said E-learning program is a tele-learning that Microsoft provides to improve the ability of Internet cafe users to master several Microsoft's softwares.
In the Microsoft E-Learning Course (MELC) program, Internet cafe users could participate in 16 short courses on Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2007, Outlook 2007 and will be officially certified by Microsoft.
The courses could be taken at Internet cafes by paying Rp 165,000 (US$15). This is cheaper than taking the program directly from Microsoft which cost Rp 275,000. Theoretically, the courses can be completed between 12 and 20 hours.
In addition, the new scheme offers the freedom to pay in instalments the licensed softwares that Internet cafes need for two years.
The scheme, according to Multiplus Internet Cafe President Hariono Ginoto, is really helpful for Internet cafe organizers in adopting legal Microsoft softwares. The reason is that it will transfer software expenditure as investment costs into operational costs.
"It is not only the scheme that is interesting, but also the offered E-learning program," said Ginoto, whose Internet cafe network in Indonesia uses around 3,000 PCs.
The reason is that, said Ginoto, Microsoft softwares tutorials offered in the courses are important for the public. The softwares are part of school curriculum.
Tony Chen expected that the pilot program will be adapted by other Internet cafes. According to data of Indonesian Internet Cafes Association (AWARI), there are around 12 thousand Internet cafes in Indonesia.
According to Bonnie Mamanua, Business Development Manager for PT Microsoft Indonesia, around 2,900 Internet cafes in Indonesia have signed Microsoft Software Rental Agreement to utilize legal softwares.
However, according to AWARI Head, M. Irwin Day, not every Internet cafe under the Association will join the program. The reason for this is that Internet cafes under AWARI are managed by entrepreneurs of various levels.
Most Internet cafe entrepreneurs, said Irwin, do not prioritize software costs in their budget. Therefore, they will ruin their cash flow if they implement the program. "AWARI will aim at certain entrepreneurs and offer the program to interested Internet cafe entrepreneurs," he said.
However, according to Irwin, such a program cannot commonly be implemented by AWARI Internet cafe entrepreneurs. "Any program that we offer often takes time. However, the progress will be maintained," he said.
Translated by: Bonardo Maulana Wahono
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