Sun Microsystems opens new Sun Smart Office in Thailand

The first Sun Smart Office has opened to house Sun Microsystems’ operations with technology and design that is first-of-its-kind in Thailand in terms of cost efficiency, power, and flexibility. The office, which will act as a first class customer support for Thailand, is open for business and can be viewed by those wishing to see the leading edge technologies in action.

This “smart office” is built around Sun Ray computers which utilize a central server and “thin client” desktop terminals. Sun Ray clients and servers deliver Sun’s innovative Hot Desk technology, which enables users to instantly access their own personal desktop and work-in-progress from anywhere in the workgroup.

Smart cards, similar in size to a credit card, can be used to provide access to the system and enable easy mobility. Users can withdraw their smart card to stop mid-sentence in an application, and then continue where they left off by simply re-inserting the smart cart into any unit in the same workgroup.

Sanpat Sopon, Sun Microsystems Thailand country director said, “This office is not only a display of the technology but it is also a resource for the support of these technologies. This office really stands out in terms of being cutting-edge, efficient and cost effective. We encourage people to stop in for a demonstration.”

Even for smaller to medium-sized offices this design is more cost effective than traditional fat-client desktops or workstations. Sanpat continued, “An office running twenty PCs will run a much higher operating cost than a server and twenty ‘thin clients.’ If the office needs new software, the administrator only needs to install and configure it once. This could take a few minutes to days configuring each PC for the new software.”

Sun Ray systems require no client administration or upgrades. Every administrative task is done in one place and only one time. All administration tasks take place on a single server, saving time and money.

This also allows for much more powerful computers than traditional desktops. Each client is backed by the central server, which is several times more powerful than desktop PCs. The architecture also allows the server to locate and utilize unused computing power. In a traditional office most of the computing power will sit unutilized on desktops.

To complement Sun Ray appliances, Sun is offering the Sun Online Centre (OSC), a single access point for 24-hour online service and support. Services provided include the SRS Net Connect, a web based monitoring system that sends alerts in case of system failure or other critical conditions. These alerts can be sent via email or even or pager to system administrators and minimize and often prevent downtime.

Also part of the OSC is Sun Remote Services, which allows for system monitoring by Sun engineers in real time via the Internet. This allows for Sun engineers to diagnose and repair problems instantly, online.

Sun Ray’s desktop clients have flat-panel monitors that use very little space, emit almost no heat and don’t have the noise of a cooling fan or disk drives, making them ideal for busy offices. With the flexibility of hot desking with smart cards, users have a much easier time collaborating and sharing information

Sanpat said, “With this office set up, no one is tied down to one desk or one computer, people are free to move around as necessary, even mid-work, without having to transfer or restart computers. It allows for people to be as flexible and creative as they want.”

These server/client combinations run on Sun’s Solaris Operating Environment, Java-based multimedia or Windows NT applications.

H.E. Richard E. Hecklinger (2nd from right), Ambassador of the USA, presided over the grand opening ceremony of Johnson Controls & Summit Interiors Ltd. at the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate (Rayong), developed by Hemaraj Land and Development PLC. The new 26 rai USA joint venture plant will produce auto seats for Zafira and Isuzu. Also shown in the picture are: Nopadon Mantajit (2nd left), Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Sunsurn Jurangkool (right), chairman, and Walter Peak (left), managing director of Johnson Controls & Summit Interiors Ltd.

Wants to open express distribution center in every province

Express distribution company, T.E.I. has launched a strategic plan to put an express distribution network in every province in Thailand.

“We are part of a distribution revolution that needs to take place in Thailand,” says Bob Turner, managing director of T.E.I.

Turner, who worked for FedEx for more than 30 years, took over T.E.I. less than two years ago and sought a niche in the market. The company’s focus two years ago was built around the emergence of the dot.com boom with Turner visualizing the opportunity for fulfillment from the expected e-commerce growth.

However, when this did not materialize Tuner switched his attention to companies seeking more efficient systems of delivery within Thailand. It became obvious to him that there was a huge gap in the market and his company moved forward to fill the vacuum.

With blue chip companies now lining up use the company’s services, T.E.I. is enjoying tremendous growth month on month. The company now has 90 staff over 50 vehicles and recorded an increase in business of more than 200 percent in the last 12 months.

Tuner explained that many companies still keep inventory in expensive rental space in Bangkok when there is an opportunity to have an effective professional distribution system throughout Thailand which saves on warehousing costs and creates faster delivery to customers.

“Retail space outside of Bangkok is inexpensive and locations are often closer to a company’s target market so there is no requirement to keep inventory in Bangkok” he says.