Now eSys Information Technologies has rolled out its latest PC – Wizard Utility. Part of its Peoples' series, it is aimed at the first time buyers / users, education segments and so on. This offering comes with a modest configuration touting an Intel Celeron 2.8Ghz processor with 1GB RAM. It also has G31 Motherboard, 160GB SATA HDD and DVDWR as a standard configuration. The system caters to normal computing applications ranging from net surfing, document processing, AV playback, among others and comes with upgradability option. It also features MATX Cabinet with 300 Watts Power Supply. Available through the company's 400 channel partners across the country, its unit ESP price of Rs.9999.
WE WANT TO TOUCH RS 1,000 CRORE IN 2010: BHARADWAJ
Shilpa Pandis
DNA (
Canon's product churn rate is 66% which goes to show that it is more focused on R&D investments and spends 10% of its revenues on developing new products every year, Alok Bharadwaj, senior vice president, Canon
Excerpts
Is Canon's high product churn rate fuelling its next generation portfolio?
Canon launches 100 products in
Can you give us a snapshot of Canon's position in document management systems (DMS)?
We are looking to tap the DMS segment to automate business processes and provide workflow solutions. Verticals which have been early adopters of DMS in
The fact that DMS yield tangible benefits is reinforced by the report from IDC which states that the content management software market in the Asia Pacific region would be worth US$362 million by 2012.
How do you plan to leverage the B2B and B2G (business to government space)?
Canon follows a three-pronged strategy — focuses on products, technologies and service propositions. We want to accelerate our B2B drive by co-creative values with the customer. We are also upbeat about the B2G segment. I think telecom and BFSI and pharma verticals will be the key growth drivers for us. Around 50% of our business comes from the business imaging space. As governments are investing heavily on infrastructure upgradation, this segment is bound to record health numbers.
But will governments open their wallets in a tight market condition?
Yes, they will. In the first half of 2009, government orders remained flat. But, we are looking at 25% growth from this vertical in the second half of 2009.
What about SMBs?
<br> SMBs are another segment growing at a scorching pace. The segment contributes 25% to our business imaging vertical. On the contrary, Canon's large enterprises' business shrunk 20% in first half of 2009. The enterprise segment will not see a turnaround in the next 6 months. In difficult times, SMBs are a good bet and we are expecting 20% growth from this sector in the second half of 2009.
How did you stay the course in a slowdown?
Canon was able to absorb the negative impact because of its diversified product basket. The brightest spot in the overall worldwide hardcopy peripherals (HCP) market during the first quarter of 2009 (1Q09) was color laser multifunction peripherals (MFPs), with its strong showing of 6% year-over-year growth in a challenging economic environment.
You are pitted against HP and Sony in the IT and camera segments. How do you plan to retain your edge in the scramble?
Canon enjoys 22% market share in cameras globally pitted against rivals like Sony, and Nikon and Kodak whereas HP and Epson are our competitors in the IT space. We will see more action from Canon in the digital cameras and laser printer portfolio this year. We have signed up 21 system integrators (SIs) like Wipro, Dell, Lenovo, HCL etc to provide systems, peripherals and servers to enterprises. We have opened three Canon
Image Lounges and the same number of Canon Business Lounges in
Canon wants to take the road less travelled when it comes to high-end technology. What's your take on this?
It is important for Canon to deep dive into areas like inkjet, laser and optics technologies that will comprehend things of tomorrow. We are also looking at intuitive technology that finds inspiration from our eyes which can easily grasp colours and light.
APPLE UPGRADE
The Financial Express
Apple has upgraded its aluminium body MacBook Pro lineup with 40%additional battery life. Its new offerings include 13-inch, 15-inch and 17inch models. Each MacBook Pro includes an LED-backlit display with greater colour intensity, glass multi-touch track pad, an illuminated keyboard, an SD card or Express Card slot, a Fire Wire 800 port and state of the art NVIDIA graphics.
Starting at Rs 74,400, the MacBook Pro line is more affordable than ever, with some models up to Rs 37,000 less than the previous generation
