Oswal Infosys, which offers ERP solutions like textile manufacturing and marketing systems, will invest $2.5 million by the year 2002 towards establishing Multimedia KID demonstration and development centres and promoting the brand. Says Jangi Lal Oswal, chairman, Lala Vidya Sagar Oswal group: ``Around $2 million will be invested in setting up 10 Multimedia KID-equipped learning centres across the country in the next couple of years. We intend to break-even in the first year and post Rs 100 crore by the year 2002.''

The $12-million Multimedia K.I.D, Inc is a Nasdaq-listed company which manufactures and markets computer-based learning systems, comprising accessories, software and interactive sets. KID is present in 42 countries with the US and Brazil accounting for around 70 per cent of its market. Says Pessie Goldenberg, CEO, Multimedia K.I.D.: ``Our systems are intended at creating a comprehensive educational environment to help children and adults in the learning process and promote cognitive, motor and social skills. We develop solutions based on the experiences of educators and institutions like MIT and Michigan University.''

Oswal will pursue a three-pronged business approach: set up learning centres for creating a team of experienced teachers who will demonstrate Multimedia KID offerings to educational institutions and boards; develop a network of franchisees who will build turnkey enrichment centres for children and youngsters under the brand OM; and extend customised applications of specific systems to the home segment.

OM will launch its first development and demonstration centre in New Delhi in September this year. In the second phase, it will set up centres in Calcutta, Bangalore, Pune, Thiruvanathapuram, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mumbai and Calcutta, OM plans to build a team of 30 teachers in the first year, which will increase to 100 in the second year. ``These teachers will come from educational circles with sharp academic focus,'' says Goldenberg.

OM will also set up a franchisee network of 25 enrichment centres -to be branded OM-in the first year (with five centres each in five metros) and treble it in the second year. In the first year, the medium of interaction will be English but subsequently OM plans to offer interactive learning sessions in major Indian languages like Tamil, Hindiand Bengali.

A typical OM centre will entail an investment of around Rs 3-4 lakh, excluding rentals. These are expected to be set up in residential colonies, preferably by people associated with schools and colleges. ``This is not big money for anybody to invest,'' says Goldenberg. ``So we want to focus onpeople with an educational bent of mind.'' Oswal adds that the franchisees can break-even in the sixth month and start earning Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 a month. Depending on a child's educational needs (in mathematics or communication skills), OM will offer specific-hour packages (Rs 80-Rs 100 per hour) to the students.

Goldberg says that the joint venture will also explore co-branding possibilities with leading personal computer companies and Web-portals.OM will initially import five systems -My Kid, KID Grid, KID Together, KID Creative and Action Kid-out of KID's global portfolio of 10. OM will develop new educational applications specific to the needs of the Indian users around these systems.