Vietnamese enterprises really want to make tablet PCs with Vietnamese brand names, but they admit that it is very difficult. The problem does not lie in technologies, but how to make the products competitive with iPads.

In October 2010, Hanel introduced the first Vietnamese branded tablet PC with, saying that it would officially market the product in one month. However, to date, there has been no news about the product.

CMS Computer belonging to CMC Technology Group, also announced a plan to make tablet PCs and commercialize the products, but such a product has not appeared on the market yet.

In an interview given to Thoi Bao Kinh Te Vietnam, Nguyen Phuoc Hai, General Director of CMS Computer, which is trying to make Vietnamese branded tablet PC, said that making Vietnamese products competitive is a complex problem for Vietnamese technology groups. Experts in the world have come to an agreement that in the next some years, even if five or 10 technology groups in the world jump on the bandwagon, all of them will be able to hold nearly a half of the market share, while the biggest market share will still be held by iPad.

Is it too difficult for Vietnamese enterprises to make tablet PCs?

It is simple to make a table PC and give it a Vietnamese brand, but the problem is whether or not the product can sell well like the iPad.

Where are the difficulties in technology service of weak brands?

Make such a successful product like iPad is what need to be done, because the trend is iPads, not tablet PCs.  .

Technology groups absolutely can make micro-processors, software, hardware, screen interfaces. The main challenge for them, similar to making smartphones competitive with the iPhone, is what to do to compete with the iPad.

Naturally, the challenge is not in the hardware, not in the functions of products, but in how to scramble for same target clients as the iPad.

Many manufacturers in the world have launched their tablet PCs with the same sale prices, but the brand “Apple” has gained new heights. Currently, there are only two groups of people who still have not purchased iPad. The first one includes the people who do not have the money to buy it, and the second one includes the people who want to buy an iPad, but they want to have more features. This is the problem that computer manufacturers have to settle.

Is CMS still pursuing the plan to make table PCs?

Being a manufacturer who has close links with Intel and Microsoft, CMS is working with the two groups which have also been slow-paced in the tablet PC market, in order to have reasonable versions. We do not intend to become a pioneer in the market of tablet PC with Vietnamese brands.

Which process will you follow to make tablet PCs?

The iPad has shown an initial design, but manufacturers now do not have to do this. The thing they have to do now is either to cut some functions in order to make products cheaper, or adding more functions so as to make products more attractive to users, and become more competitive

CMS plans to outsource its products in Taiwan. After it gets products and software, it will develop services and put into distribution.

I think that in the tablet PC production chain, Vietnamese enterprises should not pick up accessories to assemble products.  They also cannot install completed production lines to make products, because it will cost too much time and money, while enterprises still cannot be sure they will succeed. Vietnamese enterprises should undertake the phases which can bring the most added value and provide the services that satisfy Vietnamese clients.

Source: Thoi Bao Kinh Te Vietnam