Small and medium businesses don’t value workhorse, business models when choosing a laptop. Instead, they look for a device that can function both in the business environment and in the home setting.
Speaking at the launch of the company’s new laptop range, aimed at the SME market, Lenovo SA country manager Rashid Wally said SME owners are looking a sleek consumer-style device, coupled with services they require to run a business.
“While they need the functionality, they are also looking to upload pictures and small videos in the home environment. They are looking to watch high-definition video and slot in multimedia interfaces,” he said.
According to Wally, the company’s low-penetration in the SME market is what prompted the development of the new ThinkPad SL series of notebooks.
Wally also announced that the company is changing its laptop naming conventions. All models from T and X to the SL range will now reflect the size of the screen. For example, the T300 uses a 13’’ display, while the X500 will ship with a 15’’ screen.
Services for SMEs
Lenovo business development manager Julian Pienaar said the company has also created a target service offering for the SME market.
The services will include the typical end user services with software application and installation support. Along side this, the company will provide protection in case of theft or damage. “How many times do people drop laptops, or drive away with them still on the roof of the car. It happens,” said Julian.
The company is also offering an online data back-up service, where users can host data back-ups off site. The service is being managed by EMC and regulatory environments will be dealt with using a single access key. Essentially, only data owners will have access to the information.
The three notebooks, the SL300, SL 400 and SL500 ship with multimedia capabilities and an optional Blu-Ray DVD player. They are also not the traditional matt black Lenovo has previously released, but a glossy black case that creates a more consumer look.
“The number of SMB users is growing dramatically. IDC forecasts that in 2009, the SME segment will command 31% of the total notebook PC market worldwide. The growth in this space is outpacing the growth in traditional large-volume markets,” added Wally.
Olympic bloggers
Lenovo has provided athletes and media correspondents, taking part in this year’s Olympic Games, with around 30 000 pieces of hardware. “Lenovo has provided notebook PCs and video cameras to more than 100 athletes from more than 25 countries and 26 sports who have signed up to participate in the blogging programme,” he said.
The company has created a blog site, where athletes, including SA’s own Riaan Schoeman (swimming) and Sanani Mangisa (field hockey), will be documenting the experience from Beijing.
Until 2008, athletes were allowed to write blogs only until the opening day of the Olympic Games, and could then resume their blogs after the conclusion of the Games. This year, new regulations from the International Olympic Committee enable athletes to write blogs about their experiences off the field of play during all 17 days of competition.
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