Mobile leader Advanced Info Service (AIS) is expanding its in-house startup incubator, the Novel Engine Execution Team (Next), to spur innovative projects and train employees to deal with digital transformation.
The move is also meant to further transform the company from a mobile operator to a digital life service provider.
Regarding the concept of innovation, the company aims to develop a product innovation business model and develop modern work processes, said Next head Arakin Rakchittapoke.
The Next department was formally established in July 2018 and began with 40 members, increasing to 190 at present.
Currently, there are 11 projects in Next's pipeline that were submitted by employees then selected and funded by the team to develop a prototype.
Among the 11 projects, the School Van Clever project is set to launch to market by the end of this year.
The School Van Clever is a tool to monitor the safety of children while travelling to school via shuttle van every day, which is considered a pain point in families' lives and addresses the needs of worried parents.
The team is gathering AIS employees from the South to join the concept of vans transporting students to school, an innovation by which parents can monitor their children in real time through camera technology in vehicles that are also equipped with motion detection sensors.
From the testing and development that worked with pilot schools, teachers, parents, children and van drivers, the app has led to increased safety and peace of mind, and helps prevent and mitigate unexpected incidents.
"School Van Clever is set to be launched this year with sales of 250 units targeted for the first year," Mr Arakin said.
AIS plans to expand the marketing channel for the product which will have its own brand, outside of the AIS brand.
Mr Arakin said AIS is considering special incentives for employees if they are selected to develop innovation products under Next. Apart from moving from their routine jobs, they may become the owner of the product, plus have the opportunity of profit-sharing from future sales.
He said Next will operate through three categories.
First, as a central unit that encourages the concept of innovation to be applied in the culture of work.
Second, encouraging the creation of new ideas through a variety of projects, such as InnoJump that empowers employees at all levels to have a channel to create ideas and provide an innovation milieu through activities such as workshops run by experts like a Tech Taste activity.
Third, as being an internal venture capital and incubator for the ideas of employees in the organisation.