Intel`s drive to meet its channel, share its roadmap, exchange best practices and increase its footprint has yielded signs that the SA IT industry is returning to growth, says Daryl Ganas, Intel`s EMEA sales and distribution director.
International Data Corporation figures quoted by Ganas also put SA among the fastest growing countries in terms of IT spend in the third quarter.
The chipmaker is conducting Intel channel conferences across the world from October to December (150 are being held across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, and seven in SA). Ganas says the mood is bullish.
South African product integrators grew by 1 000 new members to 2 500 in 2002. The push this year, to increase footprint across sub-Saharan and EMEA regions, was visible also in Africa. "In Kenya," says Calum Chisholm, Intel SA reseller channel manager responsible for sub-Saharan Africa, "one conference yielded 150 new signings."
Intel`s partners fall into Intel premier providers, high-end specialists that make up 10% of its business; Intel product integrators, a more broad-based certification; and distribution, including skilled value-added distribution. Last year, small resellers with less than 10 unit sales per month were taken into the programme for the first time.
SA versus the world
"Worldwide, the corporate market is flat," says Ganas. "Up to 70% of Intel`s business now comes from outside the US. We are really concentrating on emerging markets." In southern Africa and SA, this means regional distribution to Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya and Nigeria has recently seen the light, been improved, or will come about in the near future.
Top management is giving the go-ahead to establish a presence in African countries, Ganas adds. This is part of Intel`s plans to increase its "total available market".
Street fairs, university visits, gaming shows and other platforms are used to train and educate on the benefits of real servers, to share best practices up- and downwards, recruit, and in the process increase visibility and try to improve Intel`s small household penetration in SA, currently at 8.6%.
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