Intel, Google, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and TT&T have launched the Amazing i-Business for SME (small and midsize enterprise) program to promote the use of computers in Thailand's tourism and hospitality sector by providing computer, software and network packages as well as business models for small to medium businesses who have little experience or knowledge of IT.
Intel Country Manager Accharas Ouysinprasert said that previous projects often failed as they targeted too wide an audience. With this, the emphasis is clearly on small resorts, spas, hotels and restaurants so that they can sell Internet access to their customers.
On a small scale, restaurants can set up an Internet corner with three PCs. The business plan assumed 30,000 baht (US$882.22) for each PC, a price that includes Microsoft Windows and Office, and by charging users 20 baht (US$0.59) an hour with an average use of five hours a day, the system will pay for itself in 10 months with 9,000 baht (US$264.90) a month profit thereafter.
Larger scale business plans are also prepared for hotels and even dormitories with clear pricing and break-even points.
Intel will include its IPAT (Intel Platform Administration Technology) software as well as software to manage and keep track of Internet usage so that the operator can simply follow a few pre-set steps to refresh the image on their PCs every morning, wiping out any changes or viruses that may have been picked up.
Google was not present as its country manager was out of the country, but Accharas said that Google's role will be for Google Apps. This will allow each SME to have access to e-mail, scheduling, collaboration and Web page design for free.
In addition, Google AdSense and Google AdWords will help the operator build their online presence and reach out to a global audience.
TT&T's MaxOnline division will be providing the connectivity with packages ranging from 2 MBPS for 1,090 baht (US$32.05) a month to 6 MBPS for 5,200 baht (US$153.06) a month.
Executive Director of the Information Technology Office at the Tourism Authority Of Thailand Phanom Kaributra said that the Authority's task was to get more people traveling in Thailand, both from within the country and overseas. Going online is very important for the digital citizen today and operators need to learn how to get to grips and manage the new technology.
The Amazing i-Business for SME package is available from 77 partners in the provinces and directly through TT&T's call center on 1103.
While none of the executives would give projected figures for this project, TT&T said it was part of its plan to expand its customer base from 300,000 to 500,000 by the middle of next year.
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