enjoyebooks Chapter 164 University Bidding
Chapter 164 University Bidding
10:00 AM, game studio conference room.
Tom was demonstrating a zombie walking animation. On the projection screen, a zombie wearing a tattered suit was limping along when it suddenly tripped over its own feet, fell over, and its head rolled out and bounced back.
"The physics simulation for this fall took three days," Tom said, "but it worked well, it was hilarious."
Laughter filled the meeting room.
Ling Yun sat at the end of the conference table, twirling a pen in his hand.
the phone is ringing.
He glanced at the number; it was a domestic long-distance call. He gestured for the meeting to pause, picked up his phone, and walked to the window.
"Feed".
"Brother Yun, this is Weiguo." Zhao Weiguo's voice was a little hurried. "There's a project. The Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education just issued a tender. Six universities in the province need to build computer classrooms, a total of six classrooms, fifty computers in each classroom, with a budget of 480 million RMB."
Lingyun opened the window, and the Silicon Valley wind blew in.
"What about the technical requirements?"
"I need a domestically produced computer, pre-installed with a genuine operating system, and a three-year warranty. Bidding closes next Friday."
"You want to vote?"
"I'd like to give it a try," Zhao Weiguo said. "Although we haven't done any educational projects before, Xinghuo Electronics can produce complete systems, and Xingchen System has an educational version, so the price is competitive. It's just... the profit margin might not be high."
"Can I break even?"
"I've calculated it. If we win the bid, the cost of each computer is around four thousand, and the quoted price can be six thousand. Including transportation, installation, and training, the gross profit is about twenty percent. After deducting taxes and operating costs, the net profit is about five percent."
"Six hundred thousand in profit," Ling Yun said. "Not much."
"There aren't many. But this is an opportunity," Zhao Weiguo said. "If it succeeds, it can serve as a model, and other provinces may follow suit."
Ling Yun looked out the window. "Who will write the bidding proposal?"
"Chen Lingling is doing it," Zhao Weiguo said. "She found a professor from Shandong University to help her list the technical parameters, and I'm in charge of cost accounting."
"She's making rapid progress."
"Yes." Zhao Weiguo's voice was tinged with laughter. "She's basically in charge of everything at the internet cafe now."
Ling Yun remained silent for a few seconds.
"I'll invest," he said. "But the goal isn't to make money, it's to set a precedent. The price can be lower, just enough to break even. The key is to do a good job on the project and build a good reputation."
"clear."
"The plan emphasizes several points: First, all components will be domestically produced. Second, the Starry Sky System Education Edition will be pre-installed, optimized for teaching scenarios. Third, teacher training and course resources will be provided. Fourth, a remote maintenance system will be established to resolve issues in real time."
"I've got it."
"Do you have enough funds?"
"That's enough. The electronics factory has over three million yuan in working capital. If we win the bid, we'll need to advance the purchase price, but the payment cycle is said to be one month."
"If we don't have enough, we'll get more from Xinghuo Internet Cafe. This project has the highest priority."
"clear."
"Go ahead. Send the completed plan to my email."
"it is good."
After hanging up the phone, Ling Yun walked back to the conference table.
"continue."
Tom replayed the animation, and this time the zombie walked up to the wall of nuts and started gnawing on it, its teeth breaking one by one.
"The sound effects haven't been added yet," Tom said. "We're getting the sound of chewing ice cubes ready."
Ling Yun nodded.
"Sure. But the attack animation needs to be more exaggerated. The zombie isn't actually biting; it's performing the biting. It needs to be comical."
Art notes.
The meeting continued, discussing the sunflower's sunlight-producing animation, the Peashooter's rapid-fire mechanism, and the level difficulty curve.
The meeting ended at noon.
Ling Yun returned to his office and opened his email.
Zhao Weiguo has already sent over the first draft of the plan.
Bidding Proposal for the Construction Project of Computer Classrooms in Universities in Jiangsu Province – Xinghuo Technology
He quickly browsed through it.
The technical specifications list the following detailed configuration: AMD K6-2 processor, 32MB RAM, 2GB hard drive, 14-inch monitor. It's the Starry Sky System Education Edition, pre-installed with WPS Teaching Edition, programming tools, and multimedia courseware.
Ling Yun picked up the phone and called Li Ziyu.
"Ziyu, do you have connections in Jiangsu Province?"
"There's a deputy director in the Education Department who was my dad's old subordinate. What's wrong with that?"
"Spark Technology is bidding on a university computer classroom project. Could you please pass on a message? No need for special treatment, just fair competition is fine."
"No problem. I'll call tonight."
Thanks.
After hanging up the phone, Lingyun continued reviewing the proposal.
Chen Lingling included a market analysis at the end of the proposal:
"Educational informatization is a key national development direction. Currently, the computer penetration rate in primary and secondary schools is less than 10%, and in universities it is less than 30%. In the next five years, a market space of tens of billions of yuan is expected. Xinghuo Technology should plan ahead and establish brand awareness."
She listed three steps:
1. Model Project for Higher Education Institutions (1997-1998)
2. Pilot program in primary and secondary schools (1998-1999)
3. Nationwide rollout (after 2000)
Each step was accompanied by a budget and staffing arrangements.
Ling Yun smiled.
Chen Lingling does indeed have ideas.
He replied to the email:
"The plan is approved. One additional point: provide a complete design plan for the server room, including cabling, air conditioning, and anti-static flooring. Zhao Weiguo will execute the plan, with Chen Lingling assisting."
send.
At 2 p.m., Sofia knocked on the door and came in.
"Mr. Ling, here are photos of the progress of the Spark Lab's renovation."
She handed over a stack of photos.
The glass curtain wall has been installed, and the interior partitions are under construction. The initial layout can be seen from upstairs.
"As planned, it will open on September 10th," Sofia said. "Registration for the StarCraft Challenge has begun, and there are currently 87 people registered."
"What about the bonus?"
"Champion: A top-of-the-line Alienware computer, worth approximately $3,000. Runner-up: A Spark mechanical keyboard and optical mouse set, worth $500. Third Place: A Blizzard game gift pack."
"The prizes are nice," Ling Yun said. "Have you invited the media?"
"Ten organizations were invited: CNET, Wired, PC Magazine, GameSpot, as well as local newspapers and television stations."
"it is good."
After Sophia left, Lingyun stood in front of the map.
A world map hangs on the wall. Red pins mark the existing businesses: Jinan (electronics factory, internet cafe), Silicon Valley (Alienware Corporation, Spark Labs), Hong Kong (Yuanhang Capital), Bangkok (the Digital City plot has been transferred).
He picked up a blue thumbtack and pinned it to Nanjing, Jiangsu.
This is the first educational project.
If successful, there will be more blue thumbtacks.
Schools, government, businesses...
The number of installations of the Starry Sky system will grow rapidly.
This is how ecosystems are built.
He picked up the phone and called Alex.
When will the education version of the system be ready?
"The beta version will be released next Wednesday," Alex said. "We've optimized it for teaching scenarios: it allows one-click switching between student and teacher computers, supports screen broadcasting and remote control, and includes an assignment submission system."
"What about stability?"
"Tested for a week, no problems encountered."
"Okay. Prepare fifty installation discs and send them to Jinan."
"clear."
After hanging up the phone, Ling Yun glanced at his watch.
3 PM.
I should go check out the Spark Lab.
Zhao Hu was driving. He passed by AMD's headquarters; a recruitment banner was hanging at the building's entrance.
"President Ling," Zhao Hu said, "Mr. Li Ziyu just called and said that the Jiangsu Provincial Government has already made arrangements. The deputy director has agreed to pay attention to our bid."
"Um."
The car arrived in Santa Clara. The Spark Labs sign was already up.
Black background with white lettering: SPARK LAB.
The line below in smaller print reads: Technology, Community, Future.
Workers are installing light boxes.
Lingyun walked in; the first floor was basically completed, with a bar, rest area, and display area. The second floor was still having its flooring laid.
"Mr. Ling." The person in charge of the renovation walked over. "According to the schedule, it should be completed next week."
When will the equipment arrive?
"Next Friday. The alien computer is ready and in the warehouse."
"it is good."
Lingyun walked to the second-floor window and looked at the street scene.
This will be the first offline location of the Star System in the United States.
It is also a showcase for alien computers.