Bangkok--17 Aug--Hill & Knowlton Microsoft Thailand has launched its biggest consumer campaign ‘The Right PC’, aiming to create a new culture in buying a PC. The programme will cover computers in different specifications, all with Window Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 that best suits buyers’ needs. Computers with the Right PC label are now available in retail stores and IT malls nationwide until the end of 2007. “The Right PC campaign is a new approach for consumers in buying a PC,” said Patama Chantaruck, Managing Director of Microsoft (Thailand) Limited. “That means a computer that suits customers’ needs and is complete with the appropriate software. We are eager to work with our OEM partners in this campaign to benefit every party including OEM partners, retail stores and consumers. All parties have an important role to play in helping to create a healthy IT ecosystem that will benefit both the individual user and the country as a whole.” Initiated by Microsoft (Thailand) Limited, ‘The Right PC’ campaign aims to guide customers on what computer and software that best suits their needs. Microsoft defines computer users as being in three categories — education, entertainment and business. The individual Right PC stickers are highly visible and in line with the aim of the campaign to assist consumers in buying a good value computer with appropriate software at a reasonable price. Thitakorn Ussayaporn, OEM Director of Microsoft (Thailand) Limited said “In the past consumers might have been confused when shopping for a computer and tended to choose a computer inappropriate for their needs. They might have even been a victim of counterfeit software that later would damage their computers. Microsoft believes that encouraging OEM partners to insist on preloaded software in both desktop and laptop computers will create confidence for consumers. Moreover, the Right PC campaign makes it easier for retail stores to advise their customers on buying a PC.” Apart from the labels, the Right PC campaign has two other elements to help customers in selecting an appropriate computer. They are IKUWE Card and the 100 Right PC Sales Champions. IKUWE Card or I Know You Well Enough Card is a card with 10 questions about consumers’ behaviour in computer use. The answers will help end users in deciding which computer and software best suits their needs whether Education, Entertainment or Business. The IKUWE Card is now available for customers at retail stores and IT centers throughout the country. For more information on the campaign, IKUWE Card, list of computers and specification from partners who joined the campaign and retail stores, customers are invited to visit www.rightpc.in.th. Microsoft also recently held a “100 Right PC Sales Champions” training programme involving a hundred specially selected nationwide retail shop assistants. The programme was designed to school participants in understanding customers’ needs by using IKUWE Card. These 100 Right PC professional consultants are assigned to provide information of Microsoft products and services including benefits in owning appropriate software. In the pilot period of the campaign, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited is working with leading computer manufacturers Acer, HP, SVOA and Toshiba to offer a variety of computers suitable for all target groups of end users. End users will find it easier in choosing a computer that fits their needs and gain the benefit of owning a PC in the Right PC campaign. Nitipat Praweenwongwuthi, Senior Marketing Manager, Acer Computer Co., Ltd. added that Acer and Microsoft have been working together for a long time. Almost all Acer computers especially notebook computers are preloaded with Window Vista. The Right PC campaign offers hardware and software to fit customers’ needs. This is the ‘right’ answer for customers when it comes to buying a PC.” Pavin Vorapruck, Group Product & Marketing Manager, Personal Systems Group, Hewlett-Packard (Thailand) Ltd. said, “Regarding the Right PC Campaign, Microsoft and HP have similar objectives. We both focus on providing the best benefit for our customers. We have categorized our customers into three groups according to their requirements. HP is confident to work with Microsoft in offering appropriate computers to all consumers and we believe that the computers we offer will be ‘The Right PC’ for Thai consumers.” Vira Intanate, Chief Executive Officer, IT Distribution Strategic Business Unit, SVOA Public Company Limited said, “The Right PC campaign is definitely beneficial to consumers since Microsoft initiated it based on a study of customers’ needs. The Right PC offers appropriate hardware and software to Thai customers. SVOA as a leading local computer manufacturer appreciates Microsoft for inviting us to join the programme. I am confident that customers will receive utmost benefits from this project.” Takon Niyomthai, Country Manager, IT Business Division, Toshiba Thailand Co., Ltd., talked about the cooperation with Microsoft that Toshiba and Microsoft are strategic alliance and long-time partners. All Toshiba computers always loaded with Microsoft Windows. The Right PC is an easy and simple project with the real benefit offered to end users.”About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Established in 1993, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited provides world-class software that is easy to use and localized to suit the local market’s needs. It also has a compelling and consistent platform to build powerful business solutions that can scale from a notebook computer to a mainframe — class multiprocessor systems using Microsoft technology. For further information, information, please visit the Microsoft (Thailand) website at: http://www.microsoft.com/thailand. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. For further information, please contact: Suphada Jaidee Hill & Knowlton Thailand Tel: 0-2627-3501 ext 209 Fax: 0-2627-3510 Email: [email protected] Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net