MKCL's Auto installers

1. AUTO INSTALLERS – THE TIME SAVERS
In order to bridge the digital divide, MKCL launched a state-wide IT Literacy course in the
form of Maharashtra State Certificate in Information Technology Program - MS-CIT in July
2002. This program is implemented across the state through a private-public-partnership
(PPP) network of more than 5000 Authorized Learning Centers (ALCs) spread all across
rural and urban areas of the State.
As number of learning centers grew, also did the number of computers in each center. This
resulted in a huge computer base of approximately 25,000 computers. Due to Internet
bandwidth constraints the in-house developed Learning Management system, along with
the full eLearning content was installed on the desktop (designated as server) of each
learning center. This gave faster access to the eLearning content to the students of the
center.
Many of these centers in rural areas cannot afford the services of a system administrator
who can setup and maintain their computer infrastructures because of either financial
problem or non availability of skilled person in those areas. In many rural areas we have
seen the shortage of Technical support persons who can help the ALCs in setup and
maintain their computer network. Also from our experience with our centers we have seen
the following problems
1) Most of the centers either do not install antivirus software or do not update it and
regularly face problem related to security/virus.
2) Problems in installing different softwares in client/server machine.
3) Most centers having larger setups are using windows workgroup in their network
and face problem file sharing and access.
4) As we provide software licenses to the centers, so there is serious threat of
distribution of serial keys to unauthorized user.
As our 5000+ centers are spread across all the areas in Maharashtra, as well as in many
parts of India, so it in not easy to provide technical assistance to all the centers while
setting up their centers or while installing a new system. As part of IT Infrastructure team
our aim was to make life easier for our centers.
An extensive research was carried out at MKCL to find a solution which would automate
the software installation process. Various products tools were evaluated to create a single
Auto Installer DVD / USB Drive with Operating System and without Operating System
which would install all the software automatically without any user intervention.
Given below detail for three Auto Installer:

2. 1. Single Auto Installer DVD only with MKCL Software (without Operating
System)
2. Single Auto Installer DVD with Operating System and MKCL Software
3. Single Auto Installer USB Drive with Operating System and MKCL Software

3. In Auto Installers we could record the software installation process, insert license keys
(which are invisible to the user) and give support information. Using this Auto Installer our
centers could install the following softwares with a single click of a button along with
Operating System: Antivirus Server, Microsoft .Net framework, Admission Software,
Hardware / Software Inventory Client, LMS Server, Adobe Flash Player, Acrobat Reader 9.0,
Messenger, Distributed Classroom Client, MS Office 2007, Winrar etc.
The installer was then packaged in a DVD and sent across to our 5000+ learning centers.
Now, the center coordinator could install all the required softwares with a single mouse
click and save enormous time and effort. Given below the steps after using the MKCL Auto:
1. Center receives the Auto Installer DVD with and without OS and Content DVD from
MKCL
2. The coordinator inserts the DVD in the Server DVD ROM, clicks Auto Install button
3. Comes back after 30 minutes and finds all the software and Operating System installed

4. The Auto Installer DVD was sent across to our 5000+ learning centers. Now, the center
coordinator could install all the required softwares with a single mouse click and save
enormous time and effort. After this DVD they do not require any technical expertise to
install Operating System or software in centers which also save huge cost of recruiting
technical expertise. This project has reduced the technical assistance needed by a center
while setting up his/her computer center. It has helped to reduce the virus attacks as
antivirus is installed and configured at the time of OS installation. This kit installs the latest
OS service packs so that the OS is updated and patched and this reduces the risks of
security threats and bugs. Also as it installs the OS and all the softwares automatically, we
need not have to send the serial keys of the softwares to our centers and this reduces the
serial key misuse.
Story on impact of Auto-installer:
Thakur Baldev Singh of Ramgarh had keen interest in IT and he loved to be in sync with the
latest softwares and technologies. After his retirement from police service he opened one
MSCIT training center in Ramgarh for training the children of that village. But as he lost his
both hands, so he had to depend on others for installing softwares and OS in his computer
lab.
Life before Auto-installer:
1) Thakur receives the OS, ERA and other software DVD from his TLC.
2) He asks Ramlal to call the IT Engineer from the town.
3) If the Engineer is available, comes to his center two/three days later (as Ramgarh is
a very remote place).

5. 4) Engineer installs the Software/OS and takes his heavy fees (as he is the only expert
guy in that region).
Typically after receiving the DVDs, Thakur have to wait minimum 2-3 days for software
installation and pay a large amount for this job. Getting upset Thakur had to think every
time, ‘wish I could have my hands, I could do it myself’.
Life after Auto-installer:
1) Thakur receives the OS, ERA and other software DVD from his TLC.
2) Asks Ramlal to insert the DVD into the DVD drive.
Within half an hour Thakur’s computers are ready with OS and all the required softwares.
This saves Thakur’s two/three days time and lots of money.
Now Thakur is very happy as he could install OS without having his hands.