Managing students’ iPads

The emergence of mobile devices has improved our quality of life in some ways, but also brought downsides like the over-use of devices bordering on addiction. Zorro Cheng has recognised this problem and, as a co-founder of Avrio Solution Company, is a local pioneer of the concept of mobile device management. He believes he can help users make the most of the technology without letting it take over their lives.

After nearly 20 years in IT roles, Cheng observed a lack of products and services for managing mobile devices and, therefore, decided to work on a start-up to fill that niche. “Tablets have become so popular, but there is market demand for solutions to enhance the way they are used,” he says. “Schools are my first target customers, because they operate in a way similar to companies, but are less complicated.”

The four members of the start-up team are all veterans of the programming and design sector and have collaborated to bring the basic ideas to life. Founded in July last year, Avrio became a Cyberport “incubatee” in January and the prospects appear good.

“I think now is the best time to do technology start-ups in Hong Kong because the demand for apps has never been higher,” Cheng says. “Advances in technology, such as cloud computing, allow access to super computers at an affordable rate, which has greatly reduced the cost of developing programmes.”

The company’s first product is the eSchoolPad, a tool designed for teachers to manage students’ iPads in class. It makes sense because iPads are gaining popularity in the classroom.