Taipei - Taicom Data System Co., Ltd., known for its coaxial communications products in the industry, has recently signed an ODM contract with a Japanese manufacturer for production of ISDN router, which confirms a 15,000-set order for the first quarter. At the same time, Taicom plans to concentrate on the production of router at full blast for this year, placing its main workforce on the research and development of the product. To meet the future market trend, the company has set up an Internet business group.

While production of router is what Taicom plans to concentrate on for this year, the company has in recent years signed an ODM contract with Japanese manufacturers for design and manufacturing of ISDN router. The order, now confirmed for the first quarter, calls for production of 15,000 sets and additional orders are expected to be followed.

Despite the bulk part of shipment at present remains to be conventional modems, Taicom is set to shift its operation for the first half of the year to the production of ISDN router. Since the series of router products cost less and make more profit, further research and development has been aimed at broadband products such as ADSL, etc.

To accelerate transformation into a full-time professional Internet communications equipment manufacturer, Taicom had recently reshuffled its top management. Beginning January 27, former Chairman and President Tseng Huan-sheng relinquished his presidency to Chen Chia-yuan, former executive vice president, and retained his chairmanship only. The vacant post of executive vice president was filled in by Hung Hsiao-hsing, a vice president. To meet the future market demand, the company had redrawn its table of organization by establishing an Internet business group in charge of research and development of periphery products such as ADSL router, PSTN router, etc. related to Internet.

In an effort to cope with the broadband trend in the industry, Taicom has been also engaged in the research and development of ADSL modem. The design has been completed and is estimated to begin shipment of internal connection model by the end of March, external connection model by the end of April. However, there is no plan for research and development of cable modem at the moment. The company plans to go public to be traded at the OTC market next year.