Microimage HCM spins off Mobile & Media Business

October 23, 2007-In keeping with their astounding success, Microimage has launched its latest spin off: Microimage Mobile Media (Pvt) Ltd.

This new company will focus on providing cutting edge innovative software products, platforms and services to customers in the mobile and media domain.All existing IP of its already established range of innovative mobile and media products will be transferred to this new venture for greater focus and visibility. Some of the key products include localized messaging and browsing applications for emerging markets, radio automation platforms and other value added applications for mobile space. All these are award winning products which have been recognized both locally and internationally.

“We decided on this spin off to be more focussed and to have clear visibility when we go out into the market. We realize the importance of focus in this particular domain especially when we are represented at global events,” said Harsha Purasinghe, CEO of Microimage. Harsha has been invited by GSM Association to be a panellist to share views on the topic “innovations place in developing the mobile service portfolio” at the up coming GSM Asia Congress Innovation Forum which takes place in Macau this November.

Over the past ten years, Microimage has transformed from just another provider of desktop language software into a very successful software research and development company focusing on providing innovative solutions in key product lines such as Human Capital Management Software Solutions, Enterprise Software Solutions, and Mobile Solutions/Software Localization. Key products include Microimage Human Capital Management, mStudio – Radio Automation, Localized mobile applications for emerging markets and Helawadana, its flagship local language product. Its domain of expertise includes Human Resource Management, Media Stations/Broadcasting Industry, Mobile Applications and Software Localization. Bearing testimony to the company’s accomplishments are the proudly displayed trophies. In 2006, Microimage was awarded the Best Mobile Application or Content under the GSMA Asia Mobile Innovation Awards at the GSMA 2006 ceremony. This year, Microimage was again shortlisted and commended at the GSM Associations 2007 Mobile Innovation Awards at the beginning of this year in Barcelona, Spain. The 2007 Mobile Innovation Awards attracted innovators worldwide where young start-up companies presented their ideas to leading industry investors and mobile operators at the world’s largest mobile communications event.

More recently, Microimage was again recognised when Purasinghe was selected the Most Outstanding IT Entrepreneur at the IT/BPO Leadership Awards organised by ICTA. “It’s for 12 years of hard work in innovation from school days fun club to a globally recognized software company,” says Purasinghe who has taken up the offer of a scholarship to follow an executive program at a prestigious international university. Microimage’s initial foray into the limelight came when they revolutionised the mobile telecommunications industry with the launch of the Sinhala and Tamil SMS. “This has the potential to empower millions of people in rural areas for messaging and content browsing at a low cost,” said Purasinghe. Since then, Microimage has localized Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, and Thaana, and has been commissioned by Dialog Telekom, Airtel India, Dhiraagu Maldives and Tigo. “We believe there is greater potential for niche innovative mobile applications in emerging markets,” Purasinghe said.

After the 2004 tsunami, Microimage contributed to another groundbreaking solution with the Disaster and Early Warning Application (DEWN). Partnered and lead by Dialog Telecom together with University of Moratuwa-Dialog Research Lab, DEWN combines the innovative use of Cell Broadcast, Location Based Technology and SMS available on a GSM network with specialized terminal device technologies to render a cost effective and reliable mass alert system. DEWN encompasses the multiple areas of specialized GSM handset applications, proto-type wireless alerting devices for domestic and specialized use and the deployment of cutting edge Sinhala and Tamil interfaces to deliver a suite of mass alert solutions applicable to the Sri Lankan environment.

Apart from mobile domain, Microimage provides cutting-edge software for the media industry where two of Sri Lanka’s media giants already use Microimage broadcasting automation software. Microimage mStudio is one of the most advanced comprehensive suits, offering station automation which consists of modules for programming, commercial scheduling, live on-air play, and many other innovative value additions. This product won the NBQSA Overall Silver and Media/Entertainment Category Gold in 2004. “We benchmarked our product against overseas products competing at a recent regional media solutions event and found out we are in par and in some areas we are far more innovative than others,” Purasinghe said. Microimage plans to market the product overseas and is presently looking for business partners.

Some of the other key recognitions include winning the National Science Foundation Innovation Award and the British Computer Society NBQSA Award. The company’s key clients include Dialog Telekom (Subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia), Lanka Bell, HSBC, Commercial Bank, DFCC Bank, Dhiraagu Telecom-Maldives, ABC Radio, MBC Radio Networks, Bank of Maldives and the Government of Sri Lanka