AMJ goes normal, best is expected in next quarter

With the AMJ quarter coming to a close, it is time again to catch the market feeling and expressions. Although the much-expected JFM quarter of 2001-02 failed to enthuse the market players and on the whole the year was dull, the new fiscal 2002-03 shows some signs of recovery. When the DQ week Madras contacted a section of traders and resellers, almost all pinned their hopes on the forthcoming JAS quarter and said the business is on the revival path. However, the closing AMJ quarter was normal and `okay' for many in business.

Here are the excerpts:

"Nothing exciting about this quarter and we did a normal business. We managed to reach our targets and SME segment has contributed a significant portion in our revenues. However, the confusion in the consideration of recently introduced multi-point sales tax is causing worries among the channels. We have not got any GO from the government on this," said S Sivakumar, Vice President, USA Computer Systems. He also feels government should make some significant spending in IT which could set the momentum in business.

"It was an `okay' quarter and all I can say is only this," said a TVSE official.

"The AMJ was very normal for us. We look forward for the next quarter and it looks promising. There are some pending orders which should make the next quarter a good one," said S Nazeer, Sales Manager - IT, Sharp Business Systems (India) Limited.

"April was dull. But sales picked up in May and June, and we have achieved our targets for this quarter. Good business came from the educational institutions and market is showing all signs of picking up from next quarter. Overall 2002-03 would be a good fiscal in business," hopes Nitesh Bhandari, Partner, Texonic Instruments.

"Now, the credit and payment terms are clear in the market between suppliers and resellers. In fact, slowdown has helped in cleansing the market and focusing on reorganizing ourselves for the better," said SK Hariharan, Branch Manager, Priya Limited. Priya had a good business in the AMJ quarter.

On the other side, Sadiq Batcha, Managing Director of SSS Systems laments, "It was a real dull quarter. The usual school and college admission season has affected our business. Moreover, the continuous price fluctuation in products affect buying decision of the resellers. They always want to wait for the best price."

"Parallel import and the ever-growing grey market cause major concern in business. There is no room for serious players like us and unless there are some measures to control the parallel import, any quarter will be a bad quarter in business," said Ramesh, Branch Manager, SES Technologies Limited.

For HCL Peripherals also it was a dull quarter. According to R Srinivasan, General Manger - Marketing & Support, HCL Peripherals, "The response was lukewarm from the market. Although few corporate and government orders keep coming in, but nothing exciting is happening."

"It was a real good quarter and Aditya has expanded its reach in various fronts. The major contribution came from the channels, while new avenues of business also contributed a significant portion. I personally feel there is an improvement in business every month and it is growing steadily after a long time," said S Uma Shankar, Aditya Infotech Ltd.

"Home segment is growing and looks promising. We were able to reach the AMJ targets mainly with the help of home segment," said B Krishnakumar, Proprietor, Sri Lakshmi System Products.

"I am very confident that market is picking up and business is growing steadily. Let's hope the best and pray for it," said Naresh Kanted, Director, Sagar
Infosys.

"We had constant orders from our channels and this is a proof that retail/counter sales is happening in the market," said Amit Soni, Director, Magnum Computers.