MSI augments tablet business in India

In an attempt to accelerate the demand of MSI Winpad Enjoy tablet PC and mid to high-end notebook business, MSI India has adopted two pronged go-to-market strategies, which stand it different from its competitors. Moreover, to concentrate on these two lines of products, the company has slowed down its focus on its netbook business. The company is now looking at notching 10% marketshare in the tablet market in 2012.

In an exclusive interview with TheDQWeek, Eric Kuo, GM, MSI India said, "As the tablet market is flooding with cheap-priced tablets, it's crucial for us to look at new emerging opportunities. Next year, our core focus will be on our tablets and high-end notebook business. Presently, we have 2 Android based models of Winpad Enjoy tablets, available in 7'' and 10''. But, we are planning to introduce 6 new models of tablets. As of now, we are selling close to 3,500 units of our tablets on a monthly basis and we will catch up to 10,000 units in Q1, 2012."

The company has tied-up with Reliance store for its tablets, and will also join hands with Croma. Apart from this, the vendor is looking at the government and education segments to push its tablets. And to penetrate into these two segments, the company is likely to sign up with Whale Graphics India as an agent, which will assist MSI to participate in various government and corporate tenders. "Our partnership with Whale will open gates to participate in the tender business for the government and large corporate verticals. We are hopeful to start the supply of our tablets through tenders in early next year," said Kuo.

Commenting on the netbook market, he said, "We are not focusing on this market, as it has started de-growing, but we will continue with this business as an when we get sizable units of order. Moreover, MSI motherboard has been affected due to the disturbances in the hard drives, owing to the recent Thailand flood, which had hampered the supply chain and increased the HDDs pricing multi-folds. "Our sales of motherboard has been dropped by 30% in this current month. However, the market conditions will be back to normal in the next year only," signed off Kuo.