Keeping in tune with its last year's
success, Sikitex 2011 is all set to create the magic again for Sikkim
and North Bengal with the local dealers feeling optimistic about the
success of the 2-day event. Designed on the lines of IT conclave,
clubbed with expo stalls, the mascot 'Donka ePanda' has been
selected by the government to provide market exposure to various IT
companies and enable them to set up business in Sikkim.
“With rapid modernization taking
place in the state, there is an immense demand for new technologies
both in the government as well as in private sector,” the circular
issued by the state government stated last year. However, this year,
the government has not issued any circular either for potential
sponsors or the participants so far. With massive upscaling taking
place in the state-forming 40 community information centers across
the remotest of regions in Sikkim, and all government departments in
the state capital in the process of being networked through optical
fiber and RF, the state is striving to reduce the 'digital divide',
besides its plans for introducing MIS and DSS in the government
space.
eGovernance too, is atop the state
agenda. It is in this backdrop that dealers in the state are counting
on the government to help in developing the private sector, namely
the SMB, and boost the IT scenario including channel sales. “I will
be participating in Sikitex in association with Ricoh and am optimist
about the way this event has been conducted since 2009,” said
Satish Agarwal of Gangtok-based Nitesh Technologies. Also,
Tadong-based Bright Computers is pinning its hope for participating
in the expo alongwith Lenovo. “As of now, the government has not
issued any circular about participation in Sikitex to the channels.
But things move fast here and whenever I get the proposal, I am keen
to participate in it with Lenovo,” said Arun Kumar Singh of Bright
Computers. With the channel partners across the state feeling
positive about reaping at least 10% higher margins on account of
Sikitex, nearly all the potential participants (channel partners) are
associating with the mainstream vendors for putting up stalls.
However, it needs to be noticed that there is no directive by the
state government in regard to exclusive channel participation. Non-IT
dealers too are enthusiastic about Sikitex. “I deal with the
peripheral business and office automation and stationery products.
This time, I will visit the conclave and the stalls to find if
peripherals (nonmainstream IT) and related office products can find a
place in next year's Sikitex,” said Jeevan Bajoria of Punam Sales
& Stationery.