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Kyiv: A Word With Aram Sargsyan

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  • Kyiv: A Word With Aram Sargsyan

    A WORD WITH ARAM SARGSYAN
    by Jesse Schwartz, Kyiv Post Staff Writer

    Kyiv Post, Ukraine
    June 28 2006

    © Konstantin Klimenko

    Aram Sargsyan, inspired entrepreneur, accidental restaurateur Aram
    Sargsyan is an effortlessly warm person. Entrepreneurs often find
    it necessary to affect geniality, but there is nothing disingenuous
    about the man who sat before me, leisurely sipping an espresso and
    explaining how a software developer like himself ended up opening a
    restaurant. And, in fact, it's in his own cafe that we're meeting,
    a few diners casually finishing off plates of fresh Armenian food.

    "I wanted to have a laboratory in which I could try out and exhibit
    my innovations," he says, gesturing around the room.

    If he were a chef, the statement would seem less out of place - but
    the connection between computing and cuisine becomes clearer as new
    patrons arrive. Along with a small metal basket of pepper, salt and
    napkins, the waitress also leaves behind a small handheld computer,
    the menu already loaded onto the screen.

    Sargsyan explains that patrons browse the selections digitally
    (there's a normal menu, of course). Then I watch as the server,
    equipped with a handheld, taps the selection into the screen and the
    order wirelessly feeds to the kitchen.

    I ask if his system will gradually circumvent the need for a wait
    staff at all, Sargsyan's broad smile returns.

    "Well, perhaps one day, but the interaction between servers and diners
    - between people - is still very important." In fact, facilitating
    human contact is a priority for the young inventor. "I'm working on a
    system now where, along with our menu, patrons will have a selection
    of games that they'll be able to play wirelessly with each other."

    While this might sound like odd behavior for people enjoying a
    quick lunch, the sounds of construction in the next room underscore
    Sargsyan's foresight.

    "We're expanding, building a full bar, and we plan to have live jazz
    shows soon."

    For now, though, diners get to enjoy impressively fast wireless
    connections free of charge as long as they bring their own laptops.

    "I'd rather it be free and have people enjoying the technology and
    community inside the cafe," he explains.

    I soon find out that the live music is as much a passion for Sargsyan
    as the art of inventing. An accomplished jazz saxophonist in his own
    right back in Yerevan, the capital of his native Armenia, he spent much
    of his time organizing jazz festivals in his country. After receiving
    an MBA from the American University of Yerevan, Aram Sargsyan tried
    his hand at many things. But, as is so often the case with immigrants
    to Ukraine, he soon realized there were better opportunities abroad.

    "My friend owned a distributing business in Ukraine and I explained
    to him how having salesmen and warehouse managers wired with handhelds
    could streamline his practice and simplify the paper trail.

    I then started selling these solutions to other businesses, opening
    my own software company, eSoft."

    But Sargsyan realized that the lack of technological solutions in
    Kyiv as well as the success of his first business underlined another
    deficiency here in the capital.

    "Ukraine needed more people who had basic computer skills. That why
    I started BASIC education center, my training school. I was manager,
    coordinator and teacher all at once. After only a year, though, the
    work paid off. I brought my wife over from Armenia and she took over
    the management."

    This freed Sargsyan up to return to his true focus: innovative
    technology. Hence, MARM, his cafe (the name is a Russian acronym for
    "mobile automated workplace").

    "Intel representatives here thought my idea was interesting. They
    gave me funding to make two short movies about myself and my system.

    I've sold three networks so far in Ukraine."

    But the big marker, of course, is Western Europe and North America.

    Aram says that the restaurant industry here isn't ready, for the most
    part, for such high-tech gadgets.

    "I want to work out any bugs first. But in the West my system would be
    great for large restaurants, convention centers, cruise ships... But
    I'm still looking for investors who know the markets there."

    I ask him if he himself plans to play during the live-music nights.

    "I have a fear of playing here. In Armenia, I knew everyone and it
    was easier for me. I had a band."

    Sargsyan smiles and finishes the interview with a word that defines
    both his life and his growing success.

    "Who knows, though?" he says, smiling. "Hopefully."

    --Boundary_(ID_Jp3jwcgqpsP IkC6U02TMJg)--
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