Sachin Duggal boasts of simplyfying computer-handling. As the chief executive officer of Nivio.com, he wants to let Indians have a computer system which is stress-free and faultless. Nivio is a Windows-based online desktop, which allows global access to a personal virtual desktop from any Internet device.

A release from Nivio stated that the virtual desktop will provide a variety of services on demand to its subscribers, which include rental of software applications, access to a library of educational content and expandable storage to store pictures, music and data.

After a free one-month trial, the cost of subscription will be Rs 399 per month. For students, the service is available at a discounted price of Rs 199.50 per month.

In an interview with rediff.com, Duggal shares a few valuable insights about his company's invention.

What motivated the launch of Nivio.com?

Loss of data, spam and virus attacks have taken peace out of our lives. So there was always a belief that the world would change if computing were simple. Originally named myremoteworkstation, I dreamt of a desktop that was anywhere and nowhere; that was stress-free and faultless. And [that is how] Nivio was born.

What is your target group?

In India , Nivio is expected to be used by a majority of students who cannot afford a personal computer and have daily education requirements on computer. The second powerful category is executives on the move, who cannot afford to lose data and wish for peaceful computing. 

Nivio can be used by parents for imparting computer education to their kids ensuring security of their own desktops and data. In short, every computer user can benefit from Nivio.

What kind of market research did you do?

We have done a variety of focus groups -- the largest being the one involving 4,000 people. We did surveys and interviewed users during the alpha and beta stages. We have also done interviews of users.

Can we expect other versions of Nivio.com in future? If so, what?

Nivio will come up with something new every fortnight to a month with something -- be it a new feature or a new application vendor.

How do you see today's youth benefitting from Nivio? What kind of feedback are you getting?

We understand that a large part of the student population uses cyber caf�s. There is a definite paucity of personal desktops. We believe Nivio offers them a solution by allowing them to access a virus-free, spam-free desktop that is always on and ever available.

So far, the feedback has been very positive and encouraging and we have received a number of tips about what the students want.

How do you see the IT growth in India five years hence?

IT in India will skyrocket in the next five years -- widespread broadband will be here. We also believe that integration of IT into education will be massive.

Does your company plan to come up with similar technological wonders? If so what and when?

That's a big secret. We are looking to innovate all the time but would prefer to have a few things under wraps right now.

How would you rate India's IT smartness poised against that of China?

I believe India is the tech-capital of the world with a booming software industry. Indians have become big purchasers of technology and that day is not too far when each and every Indian will be tech savvy. That is a great thing. For, technology is an empowering enabler -- it allows kids to learn faster and people to start small businesses that they might otherwise not have had the resource to.

I would, therefore, rate India's IT smartness very high when compared to the rest of the world.