Fujitsu Siemens Computers has opened up a channel to the SME market through the appointment of two distributors. Distribution agreements have been concluded with Arrow Altech Distribution and MCL Technologies, which will distribute Fujitsu Siemens Computers Mobility, Desktop/PC, Monitors and Server products to the SME market.
Mark Wilson, Managing Director of Fujitsu Siemens Computers, says: "This is an extremely important channel to market for us, and will complement our existing enterprise and retail channels. In this, our third year of operations, we believe that we are now established and in a position to expand our offering through this market channel. We spent our first two years of operations building infrastructure, establishing our enterprise business partner base and opening a retail channel to market. Our move now into the SME channel will enable broader distribution of our quality products within the South African marketplace. I am confident that Fujitsu Siemens Computers` group-wide strategy of Mobility and Business Critical Computing will ensure that our product range will find increasing acceptance within this sector."
Fujitsu Siemens Computers has grown its market share substantially since its introduction into SA with IDC EMEA figures reflecting desktop/PC market share growth of 66%; mobile market share growth of 180%; server market share growth of 117%; and overall market share growth of almost 80%.
Dino Kondos, Fujitsu Siemens Computers` Business Development and Pre-Sales Support Manager, says: "According to the BMI 2001 South African PC Market Report the local distribution channel makes up about 57% of all combined notebook and desktop/PC sales. With qualified partners servicing the large accounts and enterprise business, and our retail distribution channel servicing the needs of consumers and the SOHO segment, we are now in the position to aggressively pursue a share of the SME market that will be serviced through our newly appointed distribution channel partners, Arrow Altech Distribution and MCL Technologies.
"Our offering to this market will consist of high quality dedicated products that will be specifically configured and competitively priced to meet the SME segment`s unique requirements. We will back up the product offering with a focused marketing and communications campaign which will target the end-user and reinforce the brand. Both Arrow Altech and MCL have the credibility and the infrastructure to professionally represent our brand in the SME market and will be invaluable to our objective of extending our product offering into the SME market. These distributors are committed to ensuring stock availability, support, nationwide delivery, channel credit and, where necessary, the capability of ordering bespoke hardware solutions."
Arrow Altech Distribution is Africa`s pre-eminent distributor of quality computer, networking and industrial electronic components and has been an Intel distributor for over 32 years. The company is a joint venture between Altech, SA`s premier multibillion-rand JSE Securities Exchange-listed TMT and Electronics group, and Arrow Electronics Inc, one of the world`s largest NYSE-listed electronics distribution giants.
Managing Director of Arrow Altech Distribution, Philip du Preez, says the agreement with Fujitsu Siemens Computers offers customers the added benefits of extensive logistics and value added distribution expertise, coupled with world-class product quality.
Commenting on its decision to include Fujitsu Siemens Computers in its offering, Bill Gradwell, General Manager of Arrow Altech Distribution`s Computer Products Group, said: "We are very pleased with the addition of Fujitsu Siemens Computers to our business offerings as it complements our strategy to represent leading international vendors. Having carefully evaluated several prospective partners for branded products, we elected to align ourselves with Fujitsu Siemens Computers as we see substantial synergy in the business values of both our companies."
Mark Lahner, Managing Director of MCL Technologies, says: "We have successfully established a leading position as a distributor of media products. On deciding to incorporate complete systems into our offering, we determined that we would only enter this sector with a tier-1 manufacturer. I believe that Fujitsu Siemens Computers` reputation for quality will be beneficial to our customers as they will be able to sell some of the best technology in the world."
Share
Editorial contacts