This is very interesting!! :) Shows the extent to which we have been able to use IT to our advantage. Sathya > >>Recently Tirupathi Thirumala Devasthanam has attempted to use IT >>(Information Technology) to become more "pilgrim friendly". On Ugadi >>Day TTD launched "Sudarsanam", an innovative way of replacing >>"physical queue" with a "logical queue". > >>A quick survey of the pilgrims indicated that the most irritating >>part of their stay in Tirumala was the confinement in the >>compartments of the Q complex. TTD has to maintain the "first in >>first out" queue discipline. The Q complex was a great improvement >>over the long-winding single queue where pilgrims had to stand for >>hours together often in scorching heat. > >>Yet TTD could only provide "limited freedom" in a compartment that >>would hold about 400 to 500 people. To ensure queue discipline the >>pilgrims had to be "locked in" which is not liked by many. The >>alternative that TTD conceived is to move away from physical waiting >>to a logical waiting. Of course TTD has to ensure queue discipline. >>That is where they took recourse to information technology. > >>In Sudarsanam, which was launched on an experimental basis, devotees >>get a bar-coded identification tag in the form of a wristband with >>TTD Logo. A process that takes about 20 seconds generates the >>identification tag that carries the approximate time at which the >>pilgrim is to report for darshan. > >>Over the years TTD has perfected the estimation algorithm that can >>precisely predict the waiting time taking into account the duration >>when the darshan has to be stopped for pooja, procession, break to >>accommodate special guests, etc. Once the pilgrim collects the >>identification tag, he/she is free to return to their cottage, visit >>other temples, walk around or do whatever they deem fit. The pilgrim >>is to report at the counter again at the time indicated in the >>identification tag. A bar code scanner would quickly verify (in a >>process that takes about two seconds) and lets him join the physical >>queue. In a sense the pilgrim was in the "logical queue" between >>the time he/she left the counter and the time he/she reported back. > >>The real benefit of this system is the "freedom" that the pilgrim >>enjoys in not being "locked" inside the compartment of the Q complex. >>The cost of the operation in the form of bar-coded identification tag >>is likely to be around one or two rupees. Considering the benefits >>the cost appears to be reasonable. Bar code as a technology is simple >>to use, inexpensive, rugged and well-proven.The identification tag >>uses material that is water and dust proof and yet not very >>expensive. > >>The "business logic" that predicts the waiting time will be embedded >>in the program that runs at the back-end. The central computer >>controls the bar code generation and verification. The system is >>scalable to handle peak loads of up to 75,000 pilgrims in a day. The >>front-end display and printing can be done by low-cost PCs, keeping >>the IT investments low. To cater to peak loads many PCs can be linked >>up in the form of a network. > >>Ultimately the Sudarsanam counters can be distributed among many >>locations to avoid physical queue to collect the identification tag. >>In fact some of the terminals can move all the way to Tirupati at >>the foot of Tirumala Hills and can multiply at bus stand, railway >>station and near the cottage complex. Over the next few months the >>system should see large-scale deployment with continuous mid-course >>corrections to take into account special problems. At TTD there are >>more such IT applications in the pipeline thanks to TTD's vision of >>making the administration more "pilgrim friendly" and a set of >>truly innovative officers who are currently administering TTD. > >>Sudarsanam represents the class of innovative and native IT >>applications in the Indian context. There is nothing spectacular >>about the technology deployed but the likely benefits to billions of >>pilgrims are truly spectacular. What India needs today is a growing >>list of such applications that truly benefit the citizens. > >>Interestingly the application was conceived neither by IT vendors >>nor IT professionals but by innovative end-users, another lesson for >>all of us in IT. > >______________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
