Ricoh India to automate 1.29 mn post offices

Imaging and IT solutions provider Ricoh India, jointly with Telecommunications Consultants India (TCIL), has won an automation deal from the Department of Posts worth Rs1,370 crore. The project is to modernize about 1.29 lakh post offices across the country.

This is part of the rural ICT project by the ministry of communications and a part of the larger IT modernisation project being undertaken by the Department of Posts, the company said in a statement.

Ricoh India will supply, install and maintain the hardware, peripheral devices and operating systems for Rural Information & Communication Technology.

The scope of work includes supplying mobile computing devices and peripherals, installation of solar UPS, connectivity to access the application by service providers along with maintenance for five years.

''India Post is an iconic organisation in India, the largest such network in the world and playing a crucial role in the socio-economic development of rural India, touching the lives of common man. We are committed to fulfill the objectives of Department of Posts, and be part of the success of Rural ICT-Hardware (RH) project,'' said Tetsuya Takano, managing director and CEO of Ricoh India said.

The primary goal of the Rural ICT project will improve the quality of service, provide more value-added services and achieve ''financial inclusion'' of the un-banked rural population. This will provide wider reach to Indian populace through more customer interaction channels.

''We are proud to partner with TCIL to equip India Post with systems and technologies to increase their efficiencies, enhance service offerings and expand their business,'' said Manoj Kumar, Executive Vice President and CEO, Ricoh India.