Canon to open a touch-and-feel center for partners, customers

Sethuraman R

Chennai

September 21st, 2007

Canon India plans to open a touch and feel demo center for customers and
partners either n Chennai or Bangalore, shortly. This center would showcase the
complete range of Canon products. Praveen Sahni, assistant director, ICP, Canon
India said that this center is unlike HP's business solution showcasing center
that was recently opened at the premises of Redington India. "We would be
showcasing our products in partnership with our dealers and there is no threat
to the channel partner as this retail sector of Canon would work only with the
channel partners."

Speaking at a Canon workshop for channel recently in the city, Sahni said,
"The Canon ICP division is mainly concentrating on digital cams,
camcorders, professional cams and photo printers. Our channel partners must be
fully aware of things technically and professionally and so we are enhancing
their know-how through customized education programmes."

Currently, the company is focusing on the areas like Chennai, Bangalore and
Kerala in the south and is using the workshop to improve the knowledge of the
counter sales people, as they are the most key link in selling high-end
products. Around 150 channel members are attending this program in the south
where trainees will get hands on experience on various products.

The vendor will also set up a Customer Imaging Zone (CII) for partners soon.
"Canon is focused on creating awareness about authorized channel partners
among the customers and this program is called 'Canon-H'. We would want to
safeguard our authorized channel partners through this program, given that many
unauthorized outlets are cropping up," Sahni said.

Speaking about the web portals started for the partners, Praveen said that
the portals aided the knowledge development of partners in a big way.
"Channel partners claimed that they were in need of education and we
provided them with our web based education programs. Partners are free to voice
their views and contribute a column for the portal," he added.

Canon has also rolled out new photo printers called 'Selphi' priced at Rs
6,000 and has planned several exclusive programs for the channels. "We will
reward well performing partners with trips to Switzerland and Istanbul through
our program called 'Wings of Glory'," Sahni added.

Canon meanwhile is looking to expand in sub-metro and mini metro cities. On
the expansion plans Sahni said, "As we are very strong in south, we are
planning get into more sub and mini metro cities in the southern region and in
northern region by the end of this year. We are also looking forward to opening
more showrooms."

Canon has entered its 10th year and has attained a growth of 80 percent in
the year 2006-07 compared to last year. To commemorate this achievement, it is
introducing a special pack called 'Units you sell- you earn' through which
partners can earn more money than before.