SMC Networks changes course

SMC Networks has changed its market strategy to address assemblers of no-name personal computers, Martin Wondrak, SMC MD for EMEA region, told a press conference this week in Johannesburg. The company estimates that the local PC assembly industry needs about 150 000 low-cost network adapters a year, with a potential revenue of R10 million, Wondrak said. The new strategy is particularly appropriate to Germany, UK, France and South Africa, Wondrak said. Greg Perkins, local SMC MD, said SMC is not going to force PC assemblers to carry the stock. The company plans to align PC assemblers with its distribution partners to offer them special OEM pricing.