• Microsoft technology powers local ISVs to develop innovative apps that address economic, commercial and social needs of governments, NGOs, enterprises and citizens throughout Asia
• Three winning teams to represent Malaysia at the 46th Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors, to be held in Delhi, India from 2 to 5 May 2013
KUALA LUMPUR, 11 April 2013 – Microsoft Malaysia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) recognized the outstanding talents of three local software development teams and their innovative apps under the AppsForAsia - Redesigning Development program. The three teams will represent Malaysia and are among the five country teams that will showcase their creative solutions at ADB’s 46th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors to be held in Delhi, India from 2 to 5 May 2013.
AppsForAsia is a Microsoft-ADB initiative that harnesses the creative power of hundreds of Independent Software Developers (ISVs) across Asia to create sustainable solutions for the economic, commercial and social benefit of governments, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), citizens, and enterprises in the region. The program was rolled out as a series of application development contests in Australia, India, Republic of Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines, where ISVs and developers were introduced to the elicited or identified needs of thousands of end-users across Asia in seven key sectors; civil society, education, governance, transport, urban development, water, and youth.
The ongoing small group interview discussion, 30 May 2013.
“We know that maximizing the use of technology is one of the fundamental drivers that empowers the poor and helps them improve their lives,” said Robert L.T. Dawson, Corporate Secretary of ADB. “ADB is proud to have this opportunity to collaborate with Microsoft and the growing number of sponsors and supporters who have given life to AppsForAsia. When Microsoft approached ADB to partner on this project, we welcomed the chance to share our knowledge and to stimulate the exchange of information and opportunity between technology users and technology creators to drive creation of new solutions for a better tomorrow.”
Between 2000 and 2011, ADB supported 372 ICT-related projects and technical assistance worth RM41 billion (US$13.22 billion).
“For 20 years, Microsoft Malaysia has been committed to engaging the local software development community to help them transform their business and create a real impact in the IT industry, supporting Malaysia’s aspirations of moving towards a high-income, knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy. AppsForAsia is a continuation of these efforts and is testament to our investment in initiatives that are geared towards developing software and application development talents,” said Dinesh Nair, Director of Developer and Platform Evangelism, Microsoft Malaysia, before adding, “We are extremely proud to partner with ADB for AppsForAsia to develop innovative solutions to address real-life challenges for the benefit of local communities.”
Throughout the contest, developers were given access to Microsoft’s Cloud platform, Windows Azure, as well as deeper insight into Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, to develop applications using the cloud across various platforms and devices. Developers were also given technical and architectural consulting, as well as support, as they developed their applications to address real-world needs. ADB provided developmental challenges to participants in seven key sectors and technical guidance support to programmers/developers.
Tan Jit Ren, Co-Founder of DreamX – one of the three winners – was elated with the win, saying, “AppsForAsia by Microsoft and ADB uniquely provided the perfect collaboration opportunity for ISVs and start-ups like us. Not only does it let us leverage the ease and power of the Windows Azure platform, it also gives us a chance to truly test our innovation against the needs of a massive, untapped potential market.” DreamX’s winning entry, EPIC Hope, is a collaborative platform that connects and empowers communities in Malaysia to get involved in building sustainable housing for the indigenous people. By leveraging cloud technology, EPIC Hope makes it easy for anyone to contribute and impact the society in a fun and engaging way.
Fellow winner Centium Software Sdn Bhd developed an app for its Blood Request & Receive System (Blood R2 System) – that allows users in emergency situations to request for blood. These requests are pushed to everyone else using the app on both the Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 platforms – who can respond immediately – with specific details. The Blood R2 App becomes the blood exchange gateway which saves life, by matching blood demand and supply around the globe – especially in Asian developing countries – where blood management is poor. “The technology expertise and support we have received from Microsoft, in the form Microsoft Windows Azure and Windows Phone 8, provides an incredible platform for us to showcase innovative ideas that solve real-world economic and social challenges, more so at an international event. I'm looking forward to the opportunities this will unleash for a local ISV such as us internationally,” said G. Saravanan, Chief Technology Officer of Centium Software.
“The utopian vision for us – and it should be for every company – is to be able to make a difference in the society we live in, through the products and services we provide – to the extent on a regional or global scale. Microsoft’s investment in the local IT economy is enabling small and midsized businesses to achieve those dreams toward creating a better world. We developed our website www.gnowledge.com with the vision of democratizing education by advocating community-generated content and assessment for every conceivable syllabus worldwide. Knowledge is an education platform for teachers, student and parents to create, publish, share and take tests, exercises and assignments. We currently have 7,000+ users from 30+ countries. We are excited with the door of opportunities AppsForAsia will further open for us in Delhi,” said Choong Chong Yew, Chief Technology Officer of Gnowledge Sdn Bhd, the third selected winner for the AppsForAsia program.
Ng Wan Peng, Chief Operating Officer of Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), graced the event and was encouraged by the quality of the winning innovative apps. “Initiatives such as AppsForAsia support our drive to empower businesses and connect communities through ICT. As a nation that prioritizes the development of a digital economy, Microsoft and ADB have provided the perfect avenue for local entrepreneurism to flourish and contribute to nation-building through the use of technology, on top of the opportunity for our winners to bring real-life changes to governments, businesses, and citizens across Asia.”
AppsForAsia will culminate in an applications showcase at ADB’s 46th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors to be held in Delhi, where the top 3 applications from each participating country will be showcased by their developers to the thousands of attendees. Some 4,000 delegates including finance ministers and ministers; central bank governors; policy makers; chief executives of corporations; leading academics and heads of think-tanks; leaders of civil society; members of the diplomatic corps; and journalists from international, regional, and local media are expected to attend the meeting.
More information about AppsForAsia and links to participating country sites can be found at http://www.microsoft.com.my/AppsForAsia.
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