Microsoft, partners open info centers

Microsoft, partners open info centers

JAKARTA (JP): Software company Microsoft Indonesia and its
partners will open information technology centers in Jakarta to
promote its business applications for the finance industry,
manufacturing, mining industry and Intranet/Internet users.

Microsoft Indonesia president director Andy BT Khoo said
yesterday the Microsoft Competency Centers (MiCC) would give
businesspeople an opportunity to keep up to date with the latest
developments in information technology, especially regarding
Microsoft products, and select the most suitable applications for
their companies.

"With the centers, Microsoft aims to develop an information
technology community in Indonesia and transfer technology to our
partners in Indonesia," Andy said.

He said there would be three centers providing information
about new applications related to manufacturing and mining,
finance and Intranet/Internet.

The manufacture and mining center will be operated by PT
Commercial Software Services Indonesia on the ninth floor of
Wisma Dharmala Sakti; the financial center by PT Sigma Cipta
Caraka on the 14th floor of the Jakarta Stock Exchange Building
and the Intranet/Internet center by PT Integrasindo Infotama on
the 16th Floor of the GKBI building.

Andy said the centers were scheduled to open between September
and November this year.

Each center will be equipped with facilities to hold a seminar
for up to 40 people each month, product demonstrations and
Microsoft information centers.

"Microsoft will spend US$100,000 a year to finance each
center," he said.

Andy said the centers were expected to increase the sales of
Microsoft products 100 percent to 40,000 software licenses this
year from 20,000 software licenses last year.

Microsoft recorded about US$100 million of sales in Asia last
year, of which sales in Indonesia did not contribute
significantly. The company opened its office in Jakarta last
year. (jsk)