Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
C-DAC as a premier initiative of the Department of Information Technology (DIT), Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MC&IT), Government of India, embodies the national spirit of indigenous high-end research and development for state-of-the-art technologies and solutions. In a bid to attain technological competency in the evolving arena of Information Technology and proliferate its inherent benefits towards the advancement of its citizens as well as society, C-DAC has mobilized its indigenous human and technical resources towards the design, development and deployment of electronics and advanced Information Technology (IT) products and solutions.
The inception of C-DAC in March 1988 has seen the institution grow from strength to strength, and leverage its core expertise to develop its capabilities in a multitude of technology domains. C-DAC's thrust in meeting the national agenda has manifest itself in the execution of several key projects, leading to the creation of a strong brand equity for its inherent expertise and capabilities in the global context. Presently, this expertise extends to High Performance Computing (HPC) including Scientific Modeling & Visualization; Multilingual Computing, Applied Artificial Intelligence and Speech Processing; Software including Open Source Software (GNU / Linux), Multimedia, Graphics and Database Technologies; Strategic and Power Electronics and Agrielectronics; Real Time Systems, Embedded Systems and VLSI Design; Health Informatics; Geomatics; Cyber Security; Digital / Broadband and Wireless Networks; e-Governance and ICT for Digital Divide; and Education and Training including e-Learning. The key sectors addressed by C-DAC are Finance, Healthcare, Power, Steel, Defence, Telecom, Agriculture, Industrial Controls, Broadcasting, Education and e-Governance.
C-DAC has been actively participating in efforts at the national level in Open Source Software development, localization and adaptation for a number of applications and is playing a substantial role in non-profit forums active in the area. The ICT Research and Training Centre and the National Resource Centre for Free and Open Source Software at C-DAC are spearheading its OSS initiative to bridge the digital divide in the country.
The National Resource Centre for Free/Open Source Software (NRCFOSS) aims to contribute to the growth of FOSS in India through Research and Development, Human Resource Development, Networking and Entrepreneurship Development, as well as serve as the reference point for all FOSS related activities in the country including the creation and maintenance of a national FOSS Portal (http://www.nrcfoss.org.in).
The National Resource Centre for Free/Open Source Software (NRCFOSS) is funded by the Department of Information Technology (DIT), Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT), Govt. of India, and is being managed jointly by the Chennai division of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing(C-DAC) and AU-KBC Research Centre, Anna University,Chennai.
The quest for technological superiority has led C-DAC on a path of infrastructure development and knowledge acquisition, further consolidating the strong foundation that has been built over the years. The focus is on developing the existing legacy of core competence, architecting the future roadmap, opportunities for product development and the ways and means to take them to the market, keeping in view investments that will be made in the infrastructure and standards that are getting evolved.
At the same time, C-DAC is forging ties with the industry to accelerate the process for realizing the end-goals of its endeavors and conform rapidly to the issues dictated by the socio-dynamics of technology and the market.
In its new form, C-DAC is venturing into the wide canvas of activities, not only retaining its brand equity but also enhancing it to create a higher value for its activities to the economy and the society at large.