CHENNAI
JUNE 23, 2006

Now, channels can assemble laptops. In a unique initiative, chip-major Intel has brought BTO (build to order) notebooks to the channels, facilitating them to assemble laptops on their own.

This is expected to propel the growth of notebooks in the country and make the statement "one million laptops by 2007" made by Amar Babu, Director (Sales & Marketing Group) - South Asia, Intel, look a lot more achievable. In a DQ Channels event held at Mumbai early this year, Amar had said "India is an opportunity of one million laptops by next year".

"Now, we are just facilitating that," said Ashok Nair, National Sales Manager, Intel Technology India. Intel has signed up with three ODMs (original design manufacturers) namely Compel, Asus and Quanta to supply barebone products to the channels and it is part of their worldwide initiative. "So, now, the channels can just buy the barebone and start assembling their own laptops. The BTO concept will help both the channel and customer to get the product of their choice. And, the major factor is compatibility / inter-changeable options, which is not currently available with any branded laptop," pointed out Nair. Intel is distributing the barebone products through Redington.

According to Nair, price delta is not the only point to fight with in competition and channels can offer whole range of benefits to the customers through assembled notebooks such as immediate replacement, quicker turnaround time in service and repair at a low-cost.

"Channels can also keep their inventory low and any barebone product will suit with the other three suppliers (Compel, Asus and Quanta). It is a two-year negotiation with suppliers which turned out fruitful to have a common design, better pricing, quality product and more," he quipped.

Intel is providing service support through its own network. To start with, Intel has launched the dual-core model of bare bones and when it is assembled (integrated with other components) by the channels as a complete product, the price would come up to Rs 50,000. "We will roll out the entry-level models in a quarter or two," informed Nair.

The above plans fall under Intel's whole new initiative called - Verified By Intel (VBI) program. The VBI program is open to all and any channel partner can buy barebone from distributor to assemble and sell it in the market. "We have not fixed any numbers (targets) for barebones and in the first year, we will concentrate more on building the fundamentals and training the channel partners. Intel will be actively engaged with more than 200 channel partners across the country under the VBI program," he explained.

Intel is presently conducting its annual roadshows (ICC programs) across the country, where VBI program is also demonstrated. The company will cover over 2,500 GIDs and about 100 IPPs through this program.

The bare bone comes with seven basic components of laptop such as customizable notebook shell, power adapter, keyboard, hard disc drive, optical drive, LCD panel and a battery pack.

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