The CAN Info-Tech, an annual information technology event in its 24th edition this year, hosted many stalls featuring mobile phones and accessories, laptops, printers, routers, offers of IT training and internet connections, and drew large crowds for six days. However, some stalls featured products and services looking to carve out new niches in the market. Highlights of interesting stalls and their unique selling points (USP): 

1. LiveSmart and InfoSoft

USP: Wirelessly Controlled Electronic Devices

LiveSmart is a start-up company based in Delhi and collaborates with InfoSoft Computer and Services in Nepal. The device, also named DCB (Distribution Control Box) LiveSmart, connects wirelessly with electronic devices in a room. 

First, a wireless switch fits with the distribution box and connects with device over Wi-Fi for smart control. Then, the distribution box uses web storage for remote control and information. The company has products that can be hooked to electronic devices and controlled through phones. These devices are available in both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi variants. As long as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi signals generate, appliances can be switched on or from a comfortable perimeter at discretion. One kind of device can operate for just a single device, while the extended version can be used for several appliances simultaneously. They also allow the option of dimming incandescent lamps, halogen lamps, dimmable LED and ceiling fans when required.  The company also allows monitoring of data such as keeping track of customer usage, energy consumption, and costs through server.

2. Danfe Solution

USP: RestroOrder, a web-system that automates restaurant experience. 

RestroOrder is a software system that seamlessly automates major functions and operations of a restaurant, food-court, coffee court and similar entities. 

RestroOrder helps to enhance seamless communication between departments without hassles of movement for every other activity. 

It helps track inventory and facilitate communication among purchase-related departments. It eases customisation of menus, food and beverage from both computer and mobile app. 

RestroOrder automates bookkeeping, such as managing ledgers, balance sheets, revenue reports, and sales reports, thus reducing hassles of recordkeeping. 

3. Pine and Elite Micro Systems

USP: Interactive touch-screen kiosks

A stall in the event featured interactive touch-screen kiosks distributed by Pine Overseas Pvt. Ltd and produced by Elite Micro Systems Pvt. Ltd. These kiosks can be used for multi-purpose banking, such an account inquiry, payment of utility bills via 

credit card and cheque, and net banking, that can remove the hassle of having to go to Bank ATMs. 

Another type of kiosk labelled Smart Health Analyser can give feedback on 39 health conditions within 59 seconds just by holding a quantum sensor. The company also sells kiosks that can be used for queue management, easy check-in, and ticketing. All 

kiosks are self-service and can increase convenience to customers. These kiosks come with receipt printer, security camera, barcode scanner, EMV reader, proximity sensor and magnetic stripe reader.

4. Bright Star Society

USP: Advocating technology for the visually impaired

Unlike the companies on this list, Bright Star Society is not offering a product per se but is instead working to improve the lives of the visually-impaired and bridge the gap of technological access between people with or without visual disabilities. Visually impaired people don’t need any special computers; instead, they can use miscellaneous computer applications that allow intelligent sound outputs of the available texts in various programmes and websites. 

These special computer programmes are called “screen readers.” A screen reader is a standard computer application that runs alongside other programs running on a computer and informs the person what is available on the screen through an integrated speech synthesizer that speaks information to users through speakers or head phones. People with some limited sight can also use a screen reader that magnifies and enhances images on screen. 

CAN Info-Tech concludes

KATHMANDU: The CAN Info-Tech, an annual information technology event organised by the Federation of Computer Association of Nepal (CAN Federation), concluded on Tuesday. The tech event in its 24th edition this year at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu lasted six days from January 25 to January 30. The expo drew over 376,000 visitors, with the last day on Tuesday drawing the greatest number of footfalls for a day at over 94,000 footfalls. 

The event featured 222 stalls, with 49 big stalls inside the main hall and five branding exhibition stalls. Among the remaining stalls, Small 144 stalls were hosted in trusses, 14 stalls were hosted in open spaces and 10 were maintained as food stalls. The expo hosted a separate pavilion comprising 44 stalls of over a dozen software companies.

Stalls of internet service provider (ISP) companies, smart phones, laptops, softwares, photocopy printers, routers, and IT colleges and training institutes drew visitors in droves. Products such as CCTV, anti-virus programmes, mobile-wallet, projector, and digital television were also keenly observed by customers. 

Ranjit Poddar, event manager of the expo, mentioned that organisers were close to achieving their target of drawing 400,000 visitors. He also mentioned that some visitors gave feedback, asking organisers to hold the expo twice a year. (PR)