IT vendors see positive growth despite unrest

[Nick]

Market demand high compared to last year

Published: 23/06/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Database
 
Vendors view 2010 as a promising year for the IT business as they all saw a positive growth even during the political unrest and consumers can enjoy shopping for the latest technology with special offers at Commart X-Gen Thailand 2010, which starts tomorrow and runs until June 27 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

According to Toshiba Thailand chairperson Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, the company's overall business grew by 10-20 percent during the first half of this year, with notebooks a major growth sector.

The good fundamental economy of Thailand is the key factor, she said noting the impact on the tourist sector with a large drop in the number of foreign tourists, but Toshiba's market has been growing, especially in the provinces.

"Toshiba has expanded its IT products to other fields beyond IT shops," she said, noting that some 70 percent of Toshiba' electrical shops also provided computers because IT products have become commonplace devices used in every household.

Kobkarn added that Toshiba will keep on investing in market expansion. The headquarter views the Asean region as an emerging market where Thailand is a significant hub in the region. "We may have lost some opportunities during the political unrest, but today Thailand is considered positively because of the country's fundamental economic stability."

According to Takon Niyomthai, country manager, IT Business, consumers might delay purchasing, but the market demand is still high compared to the same period last year. During the first five months of this year, Toshiba's notebook market grew by 19 percent and the sales broke records in May despite the political unrest.

Takon added that the company has expanded its sales channels and increased promotions from 60 last year to 140 this year.

By the fourth quarter of this year, the total notebooks in the market will reach 1.9 million units, of which the entry level model, priced below 15,000 baht will take some 30 percent overall.

Currently, Toshiba has only one model, priced 15,000-18,000 baht. Takon said that the company will launch the latest model, priced at 14,900 baht with AMD processor, at Commart X-Gen this week. "The new entry level model will boost Toshiba's share as we expect to have some 10 percent market share, among the top three notebooks in Thailand," he said.

Takon said that the strategy of Toshiba is to create a variety of products, especially at the entry level, with outstanding premium design and technology, and open new sales channels. In addition, Toshiba recently introduced the Satellite Family comprised of the C, L, M and A series to serve all target groups with various requirements.

Thai Samsung Electronics IT business group leader Boonlerd Viboonkiat believes that the IT industry is continually growing and the company aims to capture 100 percent growth by the end of this year.

"We met the sales target in the first quarter by securing the leading market share in monitors and laser printers," Boonlerd said.

He added that the corporate sector is the major target for Samsung at 70 percent, followed by consumers at 20 percent and modern trade customers at 10 percent. Three groups of products, more than 100 items, have been offered to cover all customers of home and office, professional, as well as gaming and entertainment.

Samsung will highlight its design innovation with the "Samsung IT Midyear Fest" at Commart X-Gen. Visitors can see the latest notebooks, multi-display monitors and LED monitor printers.

Dell Computer will parade its latest technology, including Adamo XPs, Studio XPs, Alienware, Inspiron N4010 and projectors - all with a special promotion of zero percent interest rate installment or 50 percent discount price for accessories.

Epson Thailand offers a cash-back programme for those affected by the Bangkok unrest by helping them to pay for the first three-month installments with a zero percent interest rate on Epson products bought at the Commart fair.

Visitors to Commart X-Gen will have an opportunity to view the latest notebooks and other IT products from HP, Lenovo, Sony, Fujitsu and other major vendors during the four-day show.

Commart X-Gen is expected to boost the country's IT market to meet the 10 percent growth this year and it's expected to have some 800,000 visitors who will generate over 2.7 billion baht in sales revenue.

About the author


Writer: Sasiwimon Boonruang
Position: Database Reporter

ที่มา: bangkokpost.com