/dqweek/media/agency_attachments/JNb31gQnqJvAm0jqPxaV.png)
Follow UsAfter taking the indigenous computer
market by storm last FY in terms of growth, Chirag is all set to
enter the netbook market this May with its own product.
“Our netbook models are under R&D
at this stage. While one model, N270, has been finalized for the
launch scheduled in May, two other models are under consideration,”
said Kaustav Ray, Chairman,
Infosystem, whose brand name is Chirag. The netbooks will
encompass the latest design based on Pinetrain technology, with Atom
410 Series processor on a Windows XP platform. Additionally, the
product will have embedded 3G and Wi-Max compatibility. Chirag is
also in talks with Tata Photon and Airtel to offer bundled ISPs.
Additionally, the company sources have
revealed that Chirag is concentrating on the server front and may
soon launch its own servers this FY. “On the product front, we are
concentrating on enhancing our product portfolio this year, and we
will be enhancing our focus on core budget PCs and laptops. Besides
this, we will focus majorly on netbooks in the upcountry market,”
Ray added.
In FY09-10, the Kolkata based PC major
has posted revenue of Rs 918 crore with a staggering growth
percentage at 40 percent.
company received a major boost when
they successfully registered in the Directorate General of Supplies
and Disposals (DGS & D) contract list. “The DGS & D rate
contract has been the major reason for our success last FY. Owing to
it, we were able to successfully participate in major tenders issued
across India with Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation
Ltd (KELTRON) being the major one,” Ray concluded.
Chirag has recently bagged a Rs 35
crore worth of procurement tender in Kerala through KELTRON owing to
its DGS & D certification. Besides, sources in the company stated
that an additional 20,000 computer purchases besides the above
contract
soon to be made by the
nodal agency from Chirag.
In its growth spree, the company has
opened another factory at Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh, where the
manufacturing as well as component assembling takes place. The
factory is spread across 60,000 square feet and has around 80
personnel, primarily in technical field.
This FY, Chirag will be focusing
primarily on the government sector and PSUs, apart from the retail
sector and channels. Presently, the company has 500 active partners
in its 700 channel partner base and the company is planning to take
this figure up to 1,000 pan-India in the recent future. The company
will soon be opening branch offices in Goa, Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, thereby completing its pan-India
presence.
Chirag is also poised to re-brand the
company. Doing away with its contract with former Indian cricket
captain, Saurav Ganguly as the brand ambassador, Chirag is clearly
focusing on its products rather than celebrity marketing campaigns.
“This year, the company will have a complete makeover in terms of
branding. We have realized the importance of the product rather than
a celebrity face and will be focusing on highlighting the product,
thereby undertaking a completely new branding procedure,” a company
official told The DQ Week.