The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 39



Only Krnovel

Episode 39 The first flip phone (5)

next day.

I went to work at the research center on time.

Most of the researchers had already left for work, and Advisor Fukuda had been waiting for me in front of the director’s office since the early hours.

“What are you doing so early? “Have you already written the report?”

“I just added a few words to the draft you gave me. “Of course, if you want to receive torture fees, you have to do this, right?”

“Let’s go inside and talk.”

Advisor Fukuda was guided into the director’s office.

While I drank the coffee my secretary gave me, I perused the report.

“There has definitely been more positive content than negative content.”

“This is a report on Taewoo Group’s future business, so shouldn’t we write about the positive parts? I thought I was going to die because my hands were itching. “Negative content kept going through my head, but I forced myself to endure it.”

“Well done. “You just have to write down the negative content separately and show it only to me.”

Advisor Fukuda’s report was exactly what I wanted.

I especially liked the part that emphasized mobile phones as Taewoo Electronics’ future business.

Currently, Taewoo Electronics’ main business is white home appliances, including TVs.

However, in the case of white goods, the operating profit margin was often less than 10 percent.

This was also because technology fees were paid to various companies, including Japanese companies.

Although the market growth rate was low, prices could not be increased arbitrarily because several companies were competing.

“I emphasized that mobile phones have a high operating profit margin, but for that to happen, sales volume must support it. “It is difficult to increase market share with Taewoo Electronics’ current mobile phone products.”

“You are saying that it is possible as long as we produce good products. Then there is no problem. I will report this report to my grandfather. And please continue to produce reports.”

“It’s already being written. “This time, we are making a report on businesses that Taewo Group does not own that could become future sources of business.”

“very good. Please just keep doing that. “I will make sure that your report can be used in an important place.”

Advisor Fukuda seemed satisfied.

Since the reports he had written before I became director had not been properly reported, he was even more excited and devoted himself to writing the report.

But nothing much has changed now.

It was merely intended to change the grandfather’s perception little by little.

There was one powerful room.

Folding phone prototype.

If I presented a prototype that he could see with his own eyes, my grandfather’s perception would change dramatically, and to that end, I visited Deputy Director Joo Gwang-il to urge the production of a prototype.

“How are the prototype preparations going?”

“We are in the process of signing contracts with several companies. However, the exterior of a mobile phone needs to be manufactured using an injection mold, but companies are reluctant to do so.”

“Is there any reason to be reluctant? “It’s not like they don’t give you money.”

“It seems like it was commissioned by a technology research institute, not Taewoo Electronics.”

I thought I knew why.

Requests from mobile phone manufacturers tend to be large in volume.

However, the technical research institute was reluctant to receive requests because the quantity was small and it was difficult to secure a continuous contract.

“If it’s a problem like that, solve it with money. “If we raise the unit price by more than 30 percent compared to the production company, wouldn’t you accept the request right away?”

“Yes, but it is difficult with the financial resources of the technology research institute.”

“Don’t worry about money. I will finance it even if it means using my own money. “How much more can we charge to start mold production right now?”

“If the unit price is increased by more than 50 percent, won’t you stay up all night to make it?”

“Then please raise it by 60 percent.”

As I say repeatedly, it is a race against time.

This was not the time to waste time trying to save pennies.

“What about contracts with other companies? “The same problem exists with professional mock-up production companies.”

“Please give me everything you ask for.” How have you resolved the appearance, and how is the hardware going?”

“First of all, we are using the existing hardware by modifying it as much as possible. “In order to produce custom hardware for flip phones, we have no choice because large contracts are essential.”

A mobile phone contains a large number of parts.

Memory, CPU, antenna, etc.

Taewoo Electronics could not produce countless parts on its own, so of course it had to purchase and use parts from other companies.

“Is there any problem if I improve and use existing parts?”

“With the capabilities of researchers, it is entirely possible. However, it is difficult to do anything about the battery problem.”

“A prototype battery specifically for flip phones has arrived.”

Professor Goodenough moved quickly.

As soon as he returned to the lab, he sent the prototype battery to Korea, and it arrived this morning.

“Is this really a cell phone battery? I’m not sure if the phone will work properly with such a small battery. Even if it works, it’s likely to run out after not being used for a few hours.”

“If you try it, you will see that it can be used for up to 100 hours. No matter how many calls you make, the battery can easily last for more than 50 hours. And since the battery is removable, you can also use refillable batteries.”

When using a smartphone, people often carry an auxiliary battery.

However, in the case of a flip phone, it was easier because all you had to do was replace it with an additional battery.

“If this battery really achieves that level of efficiency, there will be no major problems in completing the prototype.”

“So how long does it take to produce a prototype?”

“Production is possible within three months at the latest.”

“Does it take that long?”

“It takes a long time to develop because it is a product that is significantly different from existing models.”

“Because all parts can be handmade. Please make a prototype by next month.”

“… … Anything less than 3 months is really difficult.”

“What if instead of minimizing features, we only make calls possible?”

“In that case, one month is enough.”

“Actually, even one month is too long. So please produce it as quickly as possible. We will pay a bonus to the prototype production team for every day saved.”

“I’ll do my best.”

We provided all support for the rapid production of the folding phone prototype.

We scouted out and brought in insufficient manpower, and made outsourcing companies do our work first, even if it meant raising unit prices.

* * *

It took exactly 24 days.

As a result of spending more than twice as much money as usual to produce a prototype, the prototype was produced in 24 days.

Click! Good!

It was a flip phone that gave me a strange feeling of pleasure every time I opened and closed it.

Jonathan and Deputy Director Joo Kwang-il, who were in charge of the design, were just as addicted to feeling the emotions of flip phones as I was.

“The design came out better than I expected. “It’s impossible to compare it to any cell phone that has been released so far.”

“It’s all thanks to Jonathan’s detailed design.”

“I think we ended up with a better product because Steve revised the initial design.”

Jonathan talked to Steve on the phone for hours a day.

Steve really wanted to return to Apple, so he invested all his talents into flip phones.

As a result, a product that even I, who was familiar with smartphones, would burst out in admiration was completed, and I was able to gain confidence to take the next step.

“As you know, prototypes should never be leaked to the outside world.”

“Researchers involved in making flip phones practically live in research labs. “We conduct security checks at least three times a day, so you don’t have to worry about external leaks.”

I couldn’t lose the flip phone I worked so hard to make.

So the research institute has a thorough security system.

In addition, I visited all researchers every day to confirm detailed information.

If there was contact with the outside world or the prototype was stolen, unusual information would be flagged.

“Now that the prototype has been released, I will meet with the Chairman and report to him.”

“The chairman will be very satisfied. Why don’t we start planning production right away?”

“Maybe so. Thank you all for your hard work. “I would like to give you a day off today, but I have too much work left to do that.”

The prototype was just that: a prototype.

Other than calling and texting functions, other functions were missing.

It was not possible to include all the functions of mobile phones on the market, and there was no time to rest even for a moment to include new functions created by me and the patent team.

“Everyone enjoys working. In the past, the technology lab was more of a subcontractor, but now we are creating new products and it feels very rewarding. and … … “I also received a generous bonus.”

“They are having a hard time, so I guess I should at least feed them well. “I will tell the cafeteria so that you can eat healthy food every day, from beef to eel.”

“thank you. “I will work harder as I eat healthy food.”

After patting Deputy Director Joo Gwang-il on the shoulder, he headed to the group headquarters.

I had two prototype flip phones in my hands, and I took the flip phones as if I were offering them a memorial service and entered the president’s office.

“Why did the head of the research center come to see me? “How can someone who is difficult to see even at home end up here?”

“Now I can finally show you why I’ve been so busy.”

I took a box out of my pocket.

I very slowly opened the lid of the box and showed my grandfather the beautiful appearance of the flip phone.

“Is this really a cell phone?”

“It’s a foldable mobile phone called a flip phone. “It is much smaller and lighter than existing mobile phones.”

Click! Good!

Grandfather carefully opened the flip phone.

Then, he tried holding the flip phone next to his ear and repeatedly pressing the keypad.

“It’s definitely different from existing mobile phones. “It’s a product that customers will love.”

“This is a product made by me, the grandfather’s grandson. “I am confident that this is a product that will change the history of the mobile phone market.”

“Hmm, it sure makes money.”

My grandfather is a man with great taste.

Enough to raise Taewoo Group to third place in the business world.

Of course, he immediately recognized the value of the flip phone.

“You’ve been busy making these monsters. “It’s very grand.”

“And please also look at the report produced by the Economic Research Institute. “This is a report related to the future of the mobile phone market and the future of Taewo Group.”

A report prepared by Advisor Fukuda was presented.

It was a report that emphasized parts related to the mobile phone business and operating profit margin.

“Is it true that operating profit margins can be up to 30 percent?”

“It’s difficult right now, but it’s entirely possible once we start mass producing it.”

“Considering technology fees, we will never be able to achieve a 30 percent operating profit margin, right?”

“We have applied for over 50 patents to produce a flip phone. And we are releasing patents every day, and by the time the flip phone is released, we will have at least 200 patents.”

Attorney Park Joon-il became the official head of the patent team.

As all researchers entrusted their own patent specifications to Attorney Joon-il Park to revise them, Attorney Joon-il Park naturally became the center of the patent team.

Centered around him, the patent team poured out patents.

The pace became faster and faster, and there were days when more than five patent specifications were created in one day.

“The idea is to reduce technology fees by creating more patents.”

“With the patents we create, we can offset the technology fees we have to pay to other companies. If that happens, you won’t have to pay huge technology fees like you do now. Rather, the day will come when we will receive technology fees from other companies.”

“We receive technology fees? Hehe, that sounds very nice to hear.”