14 DAY TRIAL // In mid 2008, as Bill Gates will completely step down from his day to day role with the company, Microsoft estimates that it will have passed the 1 billion install base for its Windows operating system. This is why Microsoft now simply needs more elbow room to grow and, in this context, it has turned to the next five billion people. With initiatives such as Unlimited Potential, this task may very well be streamlined, as the Redmond company essentially catalyzes the introduction of its software products into geographical areas, where there is a virtual "drought" of technology. Case in point: rural China.
According to Microsoft, the words "from here, go to the world" act as guide for young Chinese students from a classroom in Datang Nine-Year Compulsory Education School, in Pujiang County. Pujiang, in the Chinese region Chengdu, is the site where Microsoft exercises its first steps into the implementation of the Unlimited Potential program. The pilot offered to Pujiang is an illustrative example of Microsoft's efforts to increase access to information and communications technology.
"Understanding the needs unique to the person's circumstances and locality are paramount before we can really apply technology in a meaningful way. Rural pilots like the programs underway in China are invaluable for honing how we approach digital inclusion to meet the diverse needs of rural areas both in China and around the world", revealed Karishma Kiri, Director, Unlimited Potential, Rural Computing.
When it comes down to bringing the digital world to the rural areas in China, the Redmond company's Unlimited Potential initiative plays to the same tune as the projects have already been implemented by the government's Ministry for Information Industry. Microsoft informed that it has so far managed to debut to ISCs, one in Pujiang, and the other in Chengdu, both opened to the public on October 29th, 2007.
"On April 19, 2007, speaking at the Government Leaders Forum in Beijing, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates announced an expansion of Microsoft Unlimited Potential, renewing the company's long-term commitment to use technology, training and partnerships to sustain a continuous cycle of social and economic growth for everyone. As part of that expansion, Microsoft is collaborating with the MII and local government organizations on rural projects that will incubate ideas for how to realize the goals of Unlimited Potential, not only in China but around the world", Microsoft stated.