HCL Infosystems on a desktop high

HCL Infosystems has again shipped the largest number of

desktop PCs in a year as per IDC's India Quarterly PC Market Program report,

OND 2005, Feb 2006 preliminary release. According to the report, HCL recorded an

impressive growth in terms of total unit shipments of 29.5 percent in 2005 over

2004, maintaining its leadership position in the Indian desktop market for the

fifth year consecutively.

According to IDC's India Quarterly PC Market Pro­gram,

OND 2005, Feb 2006 preliminary release the com­mercial desktops cate­gory

witnessed a 14 percent year-on-year growth with HCL maintaining the top rank in

terms of unit shipments, followed by HP and Lenovo. Apart from large enter­pri­ses,

the small and medium busi­ness segment also contri­buted to a significant

portion of shipments in the category.

The growth is attributed to Rs 250 crore worth of large

orders bagged by the com­pany in the commercial space according to company

sources. One of HCL's distinct advantages that has been responsible for the

successful, timely implementation and rollout of services is the massive service

and support network of HCL, spread across the coun­try. HCL Infosys­tems has a

com­mitted pan-India Direct Sup­port Infrastructure of 2,800 engineers

operating across 300 cities and towns.

IDC's

India Quarterly PC Market Program, OND 2005, Feb 2006 preliminary release

further states that the con­sumer desktop category witnessed a 29 percent

year-on-year growth in unit shipments in 2005 over 2004. HCL led this category

in terms of unit shipments over HP, with LG following the market leaders at the

third slot.

According to company executives, this growth in the

shipments of HCL consumer desktops may be attributed to some of the below men­tioned

initiatives undertaken by HCL in this quarter:

• Market reach
  
  - HCL has further expanded its channel presence across the country. 

• Convergence market
  
  — Nation wide Introduction of latest Microsoft Media Center edition based
  
  HCL Beanstalk PC ensured consumers did not have to look around for
  
  fulfilling their complete entertainment and infor­mation needs. PC's have
  
  suffered from lower prioritization in consumer buying basket with TV and
  
  other entertain­ment devices occupying higher priority. This has been in
  
  line with the initiative to push PC up the desirability chain and is
  
  resulting in increased penetration.

• Broadband ready PC
  
  — Tying up with BSNL as well as MTNL and a focused joint marketing program
  
  led to opening a new niche in consumers looking to connect trouble free to
  
  Broadband services.

• Consumer finance
  
  — Affordability of PC has been brought in by HCL with unique initiatives
  
  like Rs 499 per month EMI and zero percent Finance.

• Single window
  
  solutions for users — HCL branded inkjet printers, UPS and
  
  other peripherals like TFT LCD monitor upgrades, stereo speakers etc.

• Alternate channel
  
  — Inducting alternate channel by appointing consumer durable channel
  
  partners, training them and creating new opportunities by custom designed
  
  marketing solutions through them.

DQW News Bureau Kolkata, March 13