Khmer Software Initiative

 

Benefits

 

 
 

  • Drastic reduction of the amount of training necessary to empower Cambodian end-users to use a computer system.

  • Giving Cambodians who do not speak English access to jobs that require the use of computers, but no special knowledge of the English language.

  • Eliminating the economical barrier of access to computers by making free software available in Khmer.

  • Facilitating the introduction of computer technology in Cambodian SMEs.

  • Opening the way for the development of Computer Systems for the Cambodian national, provincial and district level Administrations that will allow civil servants to work entirely in Khmer language and manage databases of Khmer names and data. Opening the way for decentralization of data towards province and district levels. The same applies to utility companies (electricity, water, phone) which will develop Khmer language databases, reducing costs and giving better service to the citizens.

  • Allow Cambodians to communicate through e-mail in their own language.

  • Empowerment of Cambodian Software development companies to work for the Cambodian Administrations and private companies. Empowerment of the local design industry with good fonts. Preparing the Universities to deliver the necessary trained engineers.

The beneficiaries of this multi-stakeholder project are:

  • Directly, all 13.000.000+ Cambodian citizens have an easier access to the use of computers, without having to learn English first.

  • Indirectly, through improvements in governance through the use of native computer systems, all Cambodian citizens in their relation with the administration.

  • The Cambodian Government will have the possibility to develop databases and applications in Khmer. Sufficient technology and empowered local development companies will be available. The government will also have the tool (an annual national IT conference for the administration) to coordinate applications among similar administrations (e.g. provinces), so that IT based improvements in governance can be done at the lowest possible cost.

  • Development of SD related industry. Having standard computer technology used by the government opens the way for Software Development companies to start developing compatible computer systems that will be used by the different bodies of the administrations, and therefore opening the way for the development of a stable SD development industry in the country. Once this expertise is developed (using OpenSource software) this companies will be empowered to do similar developments for foreign companies at a price that would be extremely competitive, facilitating sales beyond the Cambodian market.[1]

  • Development of  Computer Design and Computer Design Training Industries. Not having high quality fonts (developed by professional typographers) blocks the way to a creative use of the Khmer language in advertising and any other type of design. The new fonts will open a new field of work for designers and advertising companies, as well as for the accompanying training industry, giving Cambodian design a new face.


 

[1] Outsourcing development of computer software from developed countries to countries where manpower is inexpensive is being strongly pushed at this moment. As an example, Japan is reinforcing the development of ties between of its companies with Vietnamese companies. India has developed a strong IT outsource reception industry (Bangalore alone expect to receive 2 billion dollars in software contracts this year).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page Last Updated: Friday, 22 October 2004

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