The introduction of the new Starr XFinity Vehicle Video Surveillance System is consistent with Starr Computers policy of applying technology to the resolution of particular challenges facing the Guyanese society, its CEO Mike Mohan said.
In an exclusive interview earlier this week, ahead of Wednesday’s media launch of the device, Mohan said “I believe that targeting crime is an area in which government and the private sector should be working together and the introduction of this device follows a deliberate search on the part of Starr Computers for some kind of technological solution to the crime challenge.”
The Guyanese entrepreneur told Stabroek Business that while the new vehicle video surveillance system is not being offered as an “absolute solution” it was intended to serve as an additional deterrent to criminals targeting vehicles.
Mohan said that in developing a plan for the marketing of the new surveillance device Starr Computers was aiming to “attract interest” among businesses employing fleets of vehicles, individual vehicle owners as well as security services and law enforceent agencies.
Apart from being equipped with two high resolution cameras, the device, which is designed to sit on vehicle dashboards and has a capacity to record activity both inside and outside the vehicle, the device is also equipped with a GPS tracking system which enables its movement to be recorded in real time. Mohan believes that apart from the value of the surveillance system to companies and individuals whose vehicles are fitted with the device, it can also be useful as a mechanism to deter persons contemplating criminal acts. He explained that since the device, when fitted a vehicle’s dashboard, can actually monitor and record activity outside the vehicle, reviews of the videotape could provide information that can actually help in criminal investigations.
An initiative designed to test the local market for the product has already been conducted and Mohan said he was encouraged by the response. He disclosed that limited quantities of the device are already in the country and the company planned to place more on the local market shortly.
Mohan also discussed Starr’s wider focus in responding to the information technology needs of the country in the context of supporting its broader development focus. “We at Starr have noted that the President’s one lap top per family announcement has actually attracted attention to Guyana among quite a few IT players in the United States. We have had some approaches from companies in the industry who are interested in working with us to ensure that Guyana stays in touch with the rest of the world as far as access to technology is concerned. Actually, we are probably not as far behind as it seems.”
Last year, Starr Computers launched an initiative designed to assemble its own computers locally and to make these available to schoolchildren at prices considerably below $100,000. In the process the company also entered into an arrangement with a local commercial bank under which credit is made available for accessing of computers. Mohan told Stabroek Business that the company was pressing ahead with refining the facilities at its Brickdam complex to accelerate the production of computers locally. “We expect to be equipped to do serious production by March this year,” Mohan said.
According to Mohan the company’s initiative to make computers more readily available to schoolchildren and the more recent introduction of the new vehicle video surveillance system represent “an approach by the company that had to do with much more than simply selling technology to people. We want to sit and look at the needs of the country whether those needs are in education, technology, industry or fighting crime and we want to work as partners with government and the rest of the private sector to try to make the technology available that would help to respond to those needs. We want to do what we do in partnership with Guyana.”
Mohan also re-issued an invitation which he said had already been extended to schools across the country to visit the company’s IT demonstration facility. “We believe that kids who are really interested in improving their understanding of the world of IT in a practical way can benefit from what we have to offer in terms of an experience. It’s all part of working with the rest of the society to ensure that we are responsive to their concerns and their interests,” Mohan said.
