Virtual PC firm upbeat about sales

       NComputing Inc, a developer of virtual software and hardware, is bullish on sales and long-term growth outlook in Thailand.
       The US-based company expects to sell 25,000 units in the Thai market this year, with sales projected to double to 50,000 in 2010.
       It already sold 2 million of its units in 100 countries since its inception two years ago, including 20,000 in Thailand through its local authorised distributor,Siam Network & Computer.
       Half of the total sales were in emerging markets, mainly in retailing, manufacturing, schools and small and mediumsized enterprises.
       NComputing is moving aggressively to build greater awareness of its software products among companies in Thailand,said Manish Sharma, vice-president for sales in Asia Pacific.
       Only 1% to 2% of applications on personal computers are being used beyond a small fraction of their capacity.This unused capacity can be shared by up to 10 users simultaneously for about 3,000 baht per additional user.
       Each user's monitor, keyboard, and mouse connect to the shared PC through the company's small access device - it contains no CPU, memory or moving parts - making it a cheap addition.
       The software works by sharing a computer or server's excess processing power between the shared computer and each user.
       "The device could reduce equipment purchase costs by at least 50%, maintenance costs by 70% and electricity costs by 90%," Mr Sharma said yesterday in Bangkok.
       The company's sales in Thailand grew at a very fast pace, thanks to wider public awareness, he said. Local customers include Coca Cola, Tesco Lotus, Big C,Lactasoy and Orient Thai Airlines.
       The financial crisis has created a great opportunity for NComputing as companies are limiting budgets and controlling costs, he said.