The 120-core HCL Peripherals is betting on technology to make itself a leading peripheral company in the IT space. To make this happen, the company is bringing a series of hi-tech products including a new line of business of selling ATMs. "In the last few months, we have launched several new version of products such advanced WINBee Thin Client, new Touch Screen with LCD monitor, higher-end networking products including manageable switches, fiber switches, UTP to fiber converters, wireless LAN products and CAT6 passive components and integrated dumb terminals," said VR Kirubakaran, Manager-Marketing, HCL Peripherals Limited.
The company is getting into ATM manufacturing and distribution business in association with a leading US company. "Our first batch of ATMs would hit the market in the next couple of months and initially we will be bringing two models," he said. While the US Company will provide the technical know-how consultancy, HCL Peripherals will manufacture the product in its plant at
Vadapalani, Chennai.
"Today, the market demands hi-tech products and better value for money goods. Buyers are more aware of the advancements and technological developments, and the market on the whole is maturing day by day. Only, companies who can match the expectations can survive in the market," said
Kirubakaran.
Keeping this in mind, HCL Peripherals is always committed to bring latest products with its strong R&D team. "To command better margins and have an edge over the others, it is always a must to deliver the latest and innovative products," he added.
Recently, HCL Peripherals has adopted regional distributorship concept to better its reach in the market. The company has appointed 36 authorized regional distributors across India and addresses over 650 channels through them. "We take both direct sales and channel & OEM route to address the market," explained Kirubakaran. While keyboards, monitors and networking products are taken through channels and OEM contracts, direct sales focuses mainly on high-value products such as thin clients, kiosk solution, LCD monitors, terminal servers and remote access servers.
Last month, HCL has launched a new range of monitors - HCM 480 (14-inch), HCM 580M (15-inch) and HCM 780M (17-inch). HCM 480 and HCM 580M are the extension of its already existing 14-inch and 15-inch monitors, while HCM 780M is a new product line in 17-inch category. "We have also launched HCL 9000A, a new class of multimedia keyboard in the market," he said. Both product lines come with several advanced features and HCL 9000A keyboard is priced Rs 600 in the market. In monitors, HCM 480 is priced Rs 4,950, HCM 580M is priced Rs 5,600 and new HCM 780M is quoted Rs 8,500.
HCL Peripherals targets a turnover of Rs 150 crore in the current fiscal ending June 2002.