'Most elders scared of computer systems':

A knowledge economy within Sri Lanka's reach

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Sampath Happawana. Pictures by Saliya Rupasinghe

It is now opportune for Sri Lanka to move towards the knowledge economy. However, some young entrepreneurs in the IT field doubt whether the country is ready for the challenge. "There is a huge gap between generations - most of the older generation is scared of computer systems and they always underestimate local talents," said Chairman, ICM Worldwide (Pvt) Ltd, a member of ICM micro computer systems, Sampath Happawana.

He was interviewed by Daily News Business.

An old boy of S.Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, Happawana is the youngest in a family of eight children. After his Advanced Level examination he obtained a Diploma in Electronic Engineering from the Institute of Technological Studies and worked for IBM for one year to get practical experience. In 1993 he started his own business at his home in Nugegoda.

"It was a very simple beginning with a small capital and there was no staff and I did everything. My objective was to create a brand image as ICM assembles IT equipment,he said. "I always visualized how to face the future in 20 years and wanted to make a change, he said.

Healthy growth

Elaborating on the growth of the company, he said that his company focuses on customer needs and expectations which is the success for its healthy growth.

The product range and customer base has expanded to a large extent by selling over 17,000 PCs, Servers, notebook systems and related accessories and ICM products have carved a niche market.

Their clients include the World Bank, ADB, JICA, AUSAID, Government of Sri Lanka and the private sector. Winning the ISO9001:2000 SGS UK certificate and Prestige and Quality Award Europe-2006 are among the other achievements of the company.

It is also the first company in Sri Lanka to assemble the ICM 1556 GL centurion Notebook in 2004. Currently it is in line with SLSI to obtain the latest ISO9001-2008 certification.

The company has an area of 3,500 sq ft in the assembling factory in Nugegoda with a controlled environment and with state-of-the-art infrastructure and assembling facility with an in-house testing centre Twenty people are employed in the company.

Asked about the challenges, he has faced, he said that it was very difficult to convince Government officials when they applied for tenders. They did not believe in computers assembled here, their policy was no locally assembled computers and always paid high prices to purchase multinational brands, he said.

Solid turnover

Computers being assembled at the workshop

Finally one person gave me the opportunity and I was able to compete with multinational brands and set a record in 2004. He regretted the attitude of the authorities not giving priority to a local industry. "I am sure only President Mahinda Rajapaksa can do it and no other politician will do it, But officials give him negative information about local products for their benefit, he said.

We had a solid turnover in the past and the Government stopped purchases suddenly and sales dropped drastically, he said.

Asked about his future plans, he said that he was determined to build ICM as a local brand and do the country proud.

We must develop our future generation with new technology, I have a clear cut strategy to emerge as a leader in the market. But staying ahead is not enough. Therefore, we have effectively incorporated a feedback system for customers' suggestions and responses through the customer feedback form and constant interaction by the sales staff. We can do wonders in this field if the Government supports us, he said.

The company will launch the latest ICM brand range of products such as notebooks with Intel Centrino mobile technology for the first time in Sri Lanka. The reason for the increased demand on assembled PCs by users is due the up-to-date latest technology and the affordable price factor and maintenance charges.