FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

First Thai tablet brand debuts

First Thai tablet brand debuts

Computer System Connection International yesterday premiered the country's first local-brand tablet computer, the CSC Wisebook, with a first-year sales target of 350,000 units worth Bt2.5 billion.

“The 350,000 units are for Thailand this year. We will not stop only with the Thai market. We’re looking to ship CSC Wisebooks to Asean countries in the future,” Pichai Neranartkormol, chief executive officer of CSC, said yesterday. 
The company has joined forces with Microsoft and Intel to equip the hand-held devices with the Windows 8.1 operating system and Atom Z3735 processor. 
It is the first local brand built to international standards in both specifications and design. It is also the first time for a local information-technology firm to partner with the two technology giants in creating a smart device. 
WISE is short for Windows, Intel, smart and easy. 
“We have trained more than 300 staff on Intel and Microsoft technologies, who are ready to offer services for consumers,” he said.
The CSC Wisebook is offered in three models – the 8-inch AU802T, 8.9-inch AU891T and 10.1-inch AU101T – priced at Bt6,990, Bt8,990 and Bt9,999. They will be available at 150 CSC outlets nationwide starting tomorrow. 
The device comes with a free one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal, whose retail price is normally Bt1,899. The suite includes unlimited storage on the OneDrive cloud and 60 minutes a month of free Skype calls to more than 60 countries. 
CSC Wisebooks also come bundled with an Advance Info Services third-generation SIM card, so users can stay online via an unlimited 1.5-gigabyte package costing Bt249 per month for one year. The company has set a Bt70-million budget to build brand awareness through a marketing campaign running for six months.
“We initiated this before the current government’s tablet scheme. But we are willing to support the government in this scheme,” he said.
Sontiya Nujeeseng, manager of Intel Microelectronics (Thailand), said Intel and Microsoft provided vendors broad support including market selection, ODM (original-design manufacturing), design and marketing campaigns. 
“CSC is the first local partner in Thailand,” he said.
Ekaraj Panjivinin, Microsoft (Thailand)’s lead for the consumer channel group, said the success factors for tablets were design and affordability. 
“Our focus is to help CSC strengthen Thai-brand tablets successfully in the Thai market,” he said. 
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