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