Bangkok--29 Dec--Hill & Knowlton
Microsoft’s popular iCafe program is giving Thai internet caf? owners affordable access to genuine Microsoft software including Windows 7; customers gain access to a safer learning environment with the latest IT tools available.
BANGKOK - 28 December 2009 — Following a successful pilot project and positive feedback from iCaf? owners across the country, 2009 saw Microsoft (Thailand) Limited extend its popular iCaf? project to a third phase, with further collaboration planned for 2010. The initiative aims to give children nationwide better access to technology in a safe learning environment and to give iCaf? owners peace of mind by encouraging them to operate clean businesses with Microsoft software licenses available to them at reasonable prices.
Out of approximately 15,000 iCaf?s nationwide, 4,000 signed up to take part during the project’s first two phases alone. This number has since risen to 8,000 after the project was extended to a third phase with a road show held earlier this year in Bangkok, Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Mai. With so many iCaf? owners keen to join the program, applications are now due to be reopened again in early 2010 to give those who missed out another chance to join.
“This partnership program with internet caf?s in Thailand is all about access,” said Patama Chantaruck, Managing Director, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited. “Internet caf?s play a major role in technology access in Thailand, so by working closely with this channel we are helping users gain access to a better IT experience with the latest genuine software available. For children this also means establishing a positive learning environment with our eLearning program, where they can have access to safe technology and gain valuable IT skills. Moreover, with specially priced software packages, we are helping iCaf? owners equip themselves with the tools they need to operate their businesses efficiently and generate profits, safe in the knowledge that they are running a clean business with 100% genuine licensed software.”
In addition to exclusive access to the latest Microsoft products at reduced prices, including Windows 7 and Microsoft Office, participating iCaf?s also receive other privileges such as in-store d?cor, e-learning programs and website-filtering software for children, as well as training on Microsoft Office 2007 so that owners can pass this knowledge on to their customers to help them enhance their skills and get the most out of their IT.
Thai iCaf? owners share their stories
iCaf? owner Chairoj Laipraditthamromg, of ‘S Games and Internet Shop’, in Udon Thani, who joined the iCaf? program said, “With 70 PCs at my internet caf? it has always been a challenge to make sure that every machine is running up-to-date and fully licensed software. After I heard about Microsoft’s iCaf? program from Microsoft’s ‘Get It Right’ website I decided to join so that I could focus on giving my customers the best service, without having to worry about facing legal action. Since joining I have been very satisfied with the program and it’s great that Microsoft is recognizing internet caf?s in Thailand and supporting them by offering us genuine software at special prices. The feedback from my customers has also been very positive as they appreciate being able to try out genuine Windows 7 and all the popular games run well on this platform.”
“The Thai police are becoming more vigilant in their policing of software piracy and I’ve also heard stories of people pretending to be police extorting money from iCaf? owners who have fake software on their computers,” added Pairoj Leekasem of ‘Home Theatre and Net Shop’ in Mahasarakham province. “Joining this program with Microsoft means that we don’t have to worry about any of these things and the cost of using genuine software is far cheaper than having to pay fines. What’s more, with the additional support that we get from Microsoft, signing up has proved to be a great long-term investment that is giving my customers a better experience and allowing me to expand my business for the future.”
Thailand leading the way
Thailand is the first country in the world to launch the iCaf? program, which is a collaboration between Microsoft (Thailand) Limited and the Office of National Culture Commission of the Ministry of Culture. The program was designed in direct response to the needs of iCaf? owners in Thailand who had earlier voiced that they would like to receive more government support for fulfilling their software needs. It is hoped that the program will also help change the common perception of iCaf?s as places of unlawful gathering to that of clean and safe learning environments.
“We see iCaf?s as a means of offering alternative ways of learning for children and to give them better access to technology. Many people in remote areas still have limited access to technology since they don’t have their own computers and school facilities are often not sufficient. In fact, the average ratio of students to computers is 100:1. As such, the iCaf? program can help to directly address this imbalance and create an equal society by encouraging children to learn outside the classroom in a safe and clean environment,” added Patama Chantaruck. “Meanwhile, with the latest Microsoft technology installed, general users can also use their local internet caf? as a secondary library for finding jobs and researching the information they need to get ahead in life.”
With newly-joined iCaf?s now running Windows 7, consumers who are thinking about purchasing Windows 7 for their own PCs can now also visit their local iCaf? to get a hands-on experience with Windows 7 before buying. Meanwhile, internet caf? owners interested in signing up to the Microsoft iCaf? program when applications reopen in January 2010, can find out more information online by visiting www.microsoft.com/thailand/get-it-right.
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.
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