Bangkok--12 May--Hill & Knowlton Microsoft (Thailand) Ltd., the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the Association of Thai Software Industry (ATSI) and Rangsit University have announced their collaboration to establish a Microsoft Innovation Center in Thailand as a hub for local software development and to bring the Thai software industry to the forefront of the global stage. The Microsoft Innovation Center (MIC) concept has been designed by Microsoft to foster innovation and growth in local software economies. Currently there are 110 Microsoft Innovation Centers in 36 countries around the world. In Thailand, the project has been initiated by Microsoft (Thailand) Ltd. in cooperation with the Office of Computer Clustering Promotion (CCP) at the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the Association of Thai Software Industry (ATSI) and Rangsit University. The Microsoft Innovation Center can be found at Rangsit University’s Sathorn Thani campus in Bangkok, where developers, ISVs, investors and members of the local software industry are invited to come and create new software, transfer technology and enhance their skills for developing software innovations. Participating in the official launch of the Microsoft Innovation Center was Mr. Michael Rawding, Vice President of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential Group, who flew in from overseas to attend the event and share his thoughts on Microsoft’s commitment to continuously fostering local innovations in Thailand. Patama Chantaruck, Managing Director, Microsoft (Thailand) Ltd. commented, “The role of the Microsoft Innovation Center is to establish a creative hub, where technology and support is provided in such a way that users are able to conveniently share knowledge and implement Proof of Concept for a wide range of new software. Technologies offered at the MIC already include RFID reader Fingerprint readers, Windows mobile Tablet PCs and HPCs. In the near future, we will also integrate other Microsoft innovation development projects into the MIC in order to extend the collaboration and fully maximize opportunities for a wide variety of people — whether they are new students or experienced scholars. The MIC also recognizes the important link between investors and software developers and provides a focal point where investors can meet new generation developers - and likewise developers can meet Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). The Office of Computer Clustering Promotion (CCP) at the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) will provide knowledgeable staff at the center who - as experts in science and technology development - will oversee the center’s operations. These staff will be on hand to give advice to software developers on how to use the MIC’s facilities, as well as organize training courses and seminars for local developers, ISVs, and organizations. Dr. Smith Suksmith, Director of CCP said, “CCP, under the operation of NSTDA, is always researching and developing software innovation, but often these ideas cannot be developed further on a commercial scale. As such, we hope that the MIC will become a great starting point for this research and provide a place where creative ideas can be turned into reality. In turn, this will greatly enhance Thailand’s reputation as a leading provider, manufacturer and importer of cutting-edge software and technology.” Sharing his thoughts on the MIC, Somkiat Ungaree, Director of ATSI, (a key driving force behind the Thai software industry), added: “The MIC will be a significant channel for both upcoming and existing developers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and investors to meet, share ideas and work together. ATSI will invite members to join the MIC and participate in activities that are beneficial to the Thai software industry and to support entrepreneurs that are looking for competent developers or software applications that can be developed further. These groups can then work together to enhance their applications and implement them on a commercial scale.” The Microsoft Innovation Center is located at the Sathorn Thani building of Rangsit University’s Sathorn campus. Most of the dedicated space for the MIC is on the 6th floor, while the 7th floor is equipped with an auditorium and seminar room and the 8th floor offers a training room and computer labs. Rangsit University’s involvement represents the university’s goal of encouraging students to develop skills that will not only encourage innovations but also offer them greater employment prospects upon graduation. Asst. Prof. Dr. Nares Pantaratorn, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Rangsit University said, “We expect the Microsoft Innovation Center to be an essential practice lab, where students who yearn for further knowledge in software writing and intellectual property can get real hands-on learning experience. As such, I hope that the MIC will also become a labor market, where students can establish prosperous business opportunities for their future careers.” “Thailand’s Microsoft Innovation Center is the result of numerous case studies and pilot projects throughout the world,” concluded Patama Chantaruck. “Microsoft expects the MIC to be a center for innovations that can be presented to the international software market. We believe that Thai developers are as competent as those in other countries, but are often held back by a lack of opportunity or effective tools. We are therefore very proud to announce that these local developers now have somewhere to test and develop their ideas and we are confident that you will soon be hearing about many new commercial innovations arising from the MIC.” The facilities at the Microsoft Innovation Center are open to anyone interested in developing software, establishing Proof-of-Concepts, or simply exchanging ideas and techniques on developing innovations. The first activity to be launched at Microsoft Innovation Center will be ‘Microsoft Innovation Day’, which will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2008. This event aims to educate local ISVs by sharing best practices and showcasing real case studies. For more information about the event and other activities of Microsoft Innovation Center, please visit http://www.micthailand.net . Start from left from Group photo, 1. Michael Rawding, Vice President of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential Group 2. Asst. Prof. Dr. Nares Pantaratorn, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Rangsit University 3. Somkiat Ungaree, Director of ATSI 4. Patama Chantaruck, Managing Director, Microsoft (Thailand) Ltd. 5. Professor Pairash Thajchayapong, Specialist and Senior Advisor, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) 6. Dr. Smith Suksmith, Director of CCPAbout 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 Chaiwong Hill & Knowlton Thailand Tel: 0-2627 3501 ext 209 Fax. 0-2627 3510 Email: [email protected]