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Pentahome: Bringing computers and entrepreneurship home

Shobha Warrier in Madras

"I was just sitting at home doing nothing, when I got this opportunity to be an entrepreneur. I grabbed it. Initially, I was a bit scared, as I had no experience in business. I didn't know anything about computers. The first time I sat in front of one was when Pentasoft imparted training. But soon things fell into place and now for the first time in my life, I feel I am independent!"

Memuna Khuzema Mamuwala, who became an 'entrepreneur' a month ago thanks to the opportunity offered by Pentasoft Technologies Ltd, is happy as can be.

A survey conducted in and around Madras by Pentasoft brought forth some extraordinary findings and that is where a gem of an idea germinated.

The survey found that senior citizens and housewives though interested in learning how to use a computer, but remained basically 'computer illiterate' due to lack of opportunities.

This led to 'Pentahome' -- a new concept developed by Pentasoft, which targets housewives, senior citizens, working men and women, and children.

Many respondents, who were questioned, said that they didn't have the time to travel to a commercial area where most of the computer joints are situated.

Most housewives were not willing to travel to learn how to operate computers-- they had neither the time nor the energy to do so, and they also didn't want to be ridiculed by others for their ignorance about computers, the survey revealed.

Based on the results of the survey, in January 2001, Pentasoft Technologies Ltd advertised in the papers inviting women who have the desire and inclination to be entrepreneurs, and who have a small area of 500 sq ft in a residential area. These women, the ad said, need not be computer literate or graduates.

What Pentahome looked for in the entrepreneurs was an ability to communicate to people.

"The response was extremely good. In the first ten days, we met 200 women! As the response was tremendous, we decided to meet them as group. From morning till evening, we had group sessions with the applicants.

"Our idea was to give computer education in a homely and friendly atmosphere as most of these reluctant customers are intimidated by the official atmosphere in the other computer centers. We thought women would be able to communicate well with these segments. We see more women teachers at the primary level. So, we decided to target housewives." Srivalli, deputy manager, Pentahome, said.

Once selected, these aspiring entrepreneurs become the franchisee units of Pentahome. As they are also the people who would impart computer education, they are given complete training on what they are supposed to teach at the center, and how to run the center.

Pentasoft plans to give frequent training to these women. Once the training is over, these women are expected to furnish the center, but the computers and the software are provided by Pentasoft.

In the 500 sq ft space, there will be five computers, an UPS with one-hour back-up and a server. Pentasoft will also provide the certified version of MS Office and a curriculum based software for school children from class 5-10, developed by it.

At present the curriculum software is based on matriculation syllabus, and soon Pentasoft plans to expand their horizon to CBSE, ICSE, Anglo-Indian and state syllabi too. These software programs will be available throughout the country.

"Every residential area has a play school, a crèche, a grocery store and a vegetable store. We want to see that a Pentahome center is also there in every residential area. The centre will open at 7 in the morning and close at 8 in the evening. In addition to all this, we want to teach the children of every residential area the basic etiquettes and the need to protect the environment. We plan to serve every member of the society through Pentahome," Srivalli said.

"For example, a middle aged working man will have no time to go to a computer center to learn to use computers, but he can make use of the facilities of Pentahome either in the morning before going to the office, or in the evening after coming back," Srivalli said.

Pentahome is "aimed at 'every housewife, every grandfather, every grandmother' who wants to be computer literate, who wants to send e-mails to their grandchildren and children and browse the Net and understand the opportunities available in the world of Internet."

"Both of us are scared of computers although we would love to write e-mails to our grandchildren. Now, we can only talk to them over telephone. If something like Pentahome is going to help us send e-mails to our grandchildren, we would be too happy to make use of the facilities. Our grandchildren will also be thrilled to receive our mails, I am sure," Rajam, a grandmother, said.

Krishnaswamy, a senior citizen, when he first joined the Pentahome run by Memuna, didn't even know anything about the computers.

"He had difficulty in using the mouse itself but I could empathise with him as I too felt the same a month ago. He is so happy that he is able to use computers now and he thanks me profusely everyday after the class."

Pentahome offers an initial computer literacy course of one-month duration for a fee of Rs 2,000. This is aimed at housewives, senior citizens and working men and women, which people like Krishnaswamy are making use of. But it is not for children.

Pentahome expects the franchisees to make use of the center and the software they have developed for children like a tuition center once the school starts.

Pentasoft has planned the timings in such a way that it will suit everyone who is interested in learning.

For example, 7 am-10 am, has been allotted for working men and women, from 10 pm-4 pm, for women who are not working and from 4 pm-8 pm, it is for the children.

The arrangement between Pentasoft and the franchisees is a 50-50 affair. Franchisees have to deposit whatever they earn from the centre in a bank, and Pentasoft passes on 50 per cent of the earnings to the franchisee and the other 50 per cent goes to Pentasoft.

Srivalli says the women entrepreneurs can expect to make a minimum of Rs 15,000-Rs 20,000 a month after meeting all their expenses.

Pentasoft is planning to have 60 Pentahomes in 60 residential areas in Madras, and 7 of them have started functioning a month ago.

By May-June, Pentasoft expects to have centers in all the major cities in India, and soon they want to cover villages too.

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