In almost two decade of history, Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) has not simply been successful in capturing highest number of visitors by showcasing latest ICT gadgets but also has become a mirror reflecting the shifts of ITCT industry. [break]
The understanding about ‘IT products’ has changed from ‘the object to watch at’ in the beginning to a prerequisite for every household at present, and the event has been playing a major role to bring about that transformation in thinking by making people aware about new products and their usage.
Last year’s main attractions of the event were tablets, smart TV, ultra-light laptop and smart phones.
And, for this year CAN claims provide a different taste by mixing products along with ICT related services.
Amrit Kumar Pant, general secretary of CAN said the event has become equally beneficial for entrepreneurs and also for customers to compare the price and quality and to be informed about the latest happening in ICT sector.
In the early eighties, private sector slowly began to use personal computers after the introduction of personal computers. In 1995 Mercantile Communications was registered as the first Internet Service provider but it took nearly four years to gain popularity in household. After the government adopted liberal economic policies in 1999, some private companies started using their own VSAT which increased the number of ISPs bringing down the cost of Internet.
The first CAN Info-tech was held in 1995, and the event had featured 17 stalls with most of them belonging to training institutes and rest to companies like Beltronics, CAS and Mercantile who sold computers.
Computers of the mid-1990s used CRT monitor and dot matrix printer, and they were the major attraction of the event. The third Info-tech introduced laser printer and network peripherals including network card. Within two years, the number of stalls and visitors, both, doubled.
The laptop started entering the Nepali market after 2001. The 7th Info-tech introduced laptop but due to the price it didn’t catch visitors’ eyes. Immediate Past President of CAN, Suresh K. Karna said that it’s only in 2007 when laptops were featured at the event.
“Three years later it was the most sought-after item of the fair,” he said.
Nepal Telecom (NT) introduced GSM mobile service in 1999. But the market of mobile started expanding only after the introduction of pre-paid GSM in 2003. “Mobile set remains as the main attraction of the event till the present date,” Karna added.
The 10th edition of CAN Info-Tech, for the first time, showcased entertainment technology with the major focus on digital games, Mp3/Mp4 and I-pods. Similarly, private telecom operators like United Telecom (UTL) and Spice Nepal jumped into the market and started participating in the Info-tech redefining Information Technology (IT) to Information Communications and Technology (ICT).
CAN Info-Tech introduced communication devices like routers and other WiFi devices in 2005.
A year later, USB storage device, mainly pen drives proved to be the largest crowd pullers. Likewise, visitors also started looking for 3G mobile device and LCD/LED monitors in the same year.
The 17th edition of Info-Tech added a new gadget to its regular products that was netbook:
In the history of CAN Info-Tech first time a Nepali software based company is the title sponsor of the event. Pant said, “It’s a very encouraging to have a Nepali title sponsor who is developing Nepali software for Nepali market,” he said Not just that for the first time 15 percent of the total participating exhibitors will be showcasing software and solution at the event which showcase hardware only in the past. The software company are showcasing teaching audio visual material like Midas e-Cass, mobile application like nLocate and others.
This year, Info-Tech is featuring 39 stalls for brand promotion and 144 stalls for trading purpose. “ We are happy that the number of visitors and exhibitors is increasing not just in terms of quantity but also in terms of quality,” Pant added that visitors were more curious and exhibitors were being well prepared to inform and aware visitors about various aspect of technology.
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