Universal Computers to focus on retail and services this year

After enhancing its presence in the distribution and sub-distribution business across North Bengal with an aggressive strategy of adding more brands and channel partners, Universal Computers is focusing on retail and services segment this year.

Universal Computers has restructured its business units. The company has divided its trade into four distinct units-corporate and government, channel distribution, retail and service, and education. This year the company's primary target is the retail segment. Though, the company already has its presence in the segment, it is planning to come up with a multi-brand retail mall next FY. “We will focus on developing our product-line in the retail segment on the basis of 'mall' concept and will be coming up with a premium mall in the city soon,” revealed Gupta.

Debojyoti Gupta, CEO, Universal Computers said, “We are already strong in the distribution space and have about 120 channel partners in north Bengal and Sikkim. This year, we want to building up a strong channel base in Durgapur and Asansol.” Also, Universal has been very proficient in the IT services and education space. This year, the company is giving more importance to renewing its services contracts and is focusing on expanding its list of serviceable clients across North Bengal. “We have specialized teams of service engineers across North Bengal including Sikkim and Balurghat. We also run free service camps in the city but this year we will organize such free camps in North Bengal,” Gupta added.

On the corporate and government sector front, Universal has been focusing on solutions and has bagged major projects. In the networking front, the company has both wireless and wired solutions in its kitty. “We are concentrating on wireless solutions now. With the rise of acceptability of wireless networking, today this space is generating more demands compared to the traditional wired concepts.” With a revenue of Rs 14.5 crore last FY, the company is eying a Rs 18 crore revenue this FY. “We have been growing at 25 percent YoY over a period of five years. And this FY, we have achieved 30 percent growth, hence, we are are expecting a revenue of Rs 18 crore. Besides, planning for the next FY has already been done and our target is to achieve Rs 25 crore in FY 2010-2011,” Gupta added.

The company distributes Microsoft, HCL, HP, Linksys, McAfee, Kaspersky and Numeric products. Also, this year the company might take up distribution of Lenovo's commercial product-line as well. It is also focusing on adding new inventories to its set of products. Since its inception, Universal has always been giving importance to computer training. With a renovated infrastructure in its computer training academy, the company is providing structured laboratory facilities for training on hardware, assembling, chip and peripheral repairing and animation.