Singer Sri Lanka launches the Singer IT Mobile Knowledge Bus

(From left to right): Asoka Pieris, Finance Director, Singer Sri Lanka Ltd; Vajira Tennakoon, Manager, Computer Division - Singer Sri Lanka Ltd; Chandima Perera, Vice President, John Keels Office Automation; Asita Abayasekera, Marketing Director, Singer Sri Lanka Ltd; Hemaka Amarasuriya, Chairman, Singer Sri Lanka Ltd; Indika De Zoysa, Country Manager, Intel; Sriyan D S Wijeyeratne, Country Manager, Microsoft; Niranjan Canagey, CEO, Epsi Computer; Manilka Jayatunge, OEM Lead, Microsoft; Jude Tissera, General Manager, Dialog Broad Band; Jinashri Samarakoon, Education Manager, Microsoft and Jayanath Kumarasinghe, Brand Manager, Singer Sri Lanka Ltd.

Singer Sri Lanka, the number one retailer of consumer durables in the island launched its latest pioneering initiative, the Singer IT Mobile Knowledge Bus. Hemaka Amarasuriya, Chairman, Singer Sri Lanka and Sriyan De Silva Wijeyratne, Country Manager, Microsoft Sri Lanka unveiled the bus amidst a large gathering of corporates and distinguished guests.

With the aim of linking people to the future, the concept of the IT Mobile Knowledge Bus took shape with Singer Sri Lanka focusing on enhancing the use of computers by taking the knowledge and skills to the grass root level as well as developing the market for AGC, their own brand of PCs. With their unmatched presence throughout Sri Lanka as well as being driven by the vision of making the PC affordable to all, the Singer IT Mobile Knowledge Bus will cover Colombo and its outskirts in January, 2008, further expanding its coverage of the entire island, except for the north and the east.

Ravi Balraj, Deputy Marketing Director, Singer Sri Lanka speaking on the significance of this said, “There is a huge mass who has knowledge of the value of a computer and of having the right skills, but still do not know the basics such as how to put it on and use what is available. The bus will open up the avenue of letting the individual walk into the bus and experience first hand our range of PCs. If he or she makes a decision to buy the product, the individual comes to the right source. Singer is reputed for its trusted excellence, it is a household name so it is an extension of the services we already provide. Instead of having the customer come to us, we go to their doorstep and give them the opportunity of having access to a PC, whether it be a hands on session or being able to purchase a PC.”

“Our aim is to become the main player in the PC industry. We launched our own brand, AGC Personal Computers two years ago.
It is the number one brand in the country to have genuine Microsoft software. We want to further develop our brand and this is our value proposition. We see this initiative as being in synergy with our efforts to help with knowledge building on PCs,” Balraj added.

Microsoft Sri Lanka is supporting this initiative, with all of the AGC computers enabled with genuine Microsoft software. Sriyan De Silva Wijeyratne, Country Manager, Microsoft Sri Lanka said, “In Sri Lanka, software piracy is at an extremely high level as per the IDC survey on piracy which was just released. This is a big impediment, not only to building the IT industry in Sri Lanka but also for the development of other industries such as the garment and manufacturing industries, which contribute significantly towards the Sri Lankan economy. International buyers and investors alike value the respect for IPR. On the software side, from the customer’s point of view, he is indirectly paying much more, due to the substandard quality of pirated products and existence of virtually no support. In some cases, customers pay for software but may not be getting the real deal. Therefore we are indeed pleased to support an industry giant such as Singer in their quest to set an example by providing customers with only genuine Microsoft software pre-installed on their computers. Attention to every minute detail is what makes a great brand and by emphasising its commitment to the genuine article, Singer is reiterating its dedication to giving customers only the best – a truly genuine experience to their customers, with their product and services. Customers shopping at Singer outlets can shop with assurance of genuine quality and reliability.

Anyone can walk on to the IT Mobile Knowledge Bus and have a hands on, interactive experience in using PCs. A fully equipped, state of the art bus with a capacity to host about 25 people, it has a separate engine solely focused on running the A/C as well as back up inverters. There will be ten models consisting of a wide range of laptops and desktops on display, as well as a multi media projector for demonstrations and internet connectivity among others. There will be a technical team who are competetent in advising a first time buyer, an experienced buyer, professionals, hard-core PC user as we have tailor-made our facilities to every segment of the market.

Once a computer is purchased, the customer has the privilege of guaranteed after sales care and service at your doorstep. A technical team will come to the doorstep of the customer and service the product in terms of hardware or software. They will also help in any user related issues that may crop up as well as any technical assistance. This will go a long way in building relationships between the technician and the customer.