CHANNEL SNAPSHOTS: Hyderabad

TS Srinivasan   

Company: Octagon CCS

Founded: 1997

Business Area: Dealing with SMB and corporates, Octagon is specialized in
e-learning solutions, and system integration.

Strengths: With value-addition as the forte, Octagon spearheads the
setting up of IT infrastructure and networking space with ease and aplomb.

Weaknesses: It manages both small and large accounts but the volumes of
accounts is presently low.

Motto: The company initiated the 3-R policy (Response, Resolution and
Responsibility) to perform as desired.

Plans: It will focus more on the consulting rather than trading model as
well as on improving the volumes of its projects.

Turnover (2003-04): Rs 2.5 cr

Expected (2004-05): Rs 3.5 cr

Offices: 1

G
Mahender    

Company: Compage Computers

Founded: 1997

Business Area: It provides complete IT solutions and system integration
to end users, corporates and enterprises.

Strengths: Catering to the IT needs of the entire AP region with presence
in upcountry market through local dealers, Compage Computers is a one-stop
solution for IT infrastructure for SME's and large enterprises too.

Weaknesses: With focus on end users and corporates, much of the volumes
are from enterprises and little from end users. The company wants to emphasize
on the latter segment more.

Motto: To possess requisite software solutions to attain customer
satisfaction

Plans: Compage hopes to reach the Rs 100 crore mark by the next financial
year 2005-06 and to set up two more offices in the upcountry market.

Turnover (2003-04): Rs 50 cr

Expected (2004-05): Rs 70 cr

Offices: 4

ON Reddy   

Company: Obel Computers

Founded: 1997

Business Area: It deals with IT components with brands like APC, Samsung,
Acer, Mercury, HP, Sony, LG and Intel.

Strengths: With sound financial background and a strong dedicated and
committed staff, Obel earned the reputation for being the best supplier of
products, support and service at an unparalleled price.

Weaknesses: With strong focus on resellers, retailing business and
concentration on end customers is wiped away.

Motto: To remain focused and still be the leader in the market

Plans: The company would like to set up more retailing outlets.

Turnover (2003-04): Rs 25 cr

Expected (2004-05): Rs 44 cr

Offices: 3

S Pulla
Reddy    

Company: SP Software

Founded: 1995

Business Area: Packaged software distribution and providing total IT
solutions.

Strengths: With IT solutions as the core competency, SP Software is equipped
to handle any size of the order be it small, medium, and big. It is quick and
flexible in adopting latest software products and making them available for
their valuable customers. From anti-virus to security solutions to storage, SP
Software has quality technical support team to provide assistance when required.

Weaknesses: It has a fair presence in the Hyderabad, but needs to increase
its reach in the upcountry market.

Motto: To provide utmost satisfaction and exceed the expectations of its
customers.

Plans: To be a Rs 100 crore company by 2008 and improve the presence in the
upcountry market .

Turnover (2003-04): Rs 18 cr

Expected (2004-05): Rs 25-30 cr

Offices: 1

Twin Cities Computers Dealers Association

Upbeat about New Committee

The Twin Cities Computers Dealers Association (TCCDA) is waiting to ring in
a new executive committee in place beginning March. While the founders of the
association along with the committee members keep the activities of the
association active by contributing fair amount of time from their hive of
activities, there is an increasing need for an honorary secretary who can run
the administration with more dedication.

"We
are planning to acquire own office space for the association with an investment
of Rs 12 to 13 lakh. We are already having the fund and with in a short time we
would be running our operations from our own premises," said KVR Menon, one
of the founders of the association.

Setting up an office infrastructure will not be the domain of the members
alone, the association is also planning to make available the space for the
distributors and dealers to make use by conducting meetings as and when
required. "We are also keeping the option open for the distributors to
display their product range for visibility even in the existing premises and we
hope to continue the same in the new premises," said Sailesh Gumidelli,
President, TCCDA.

Immediate on the agenda of activity is the increase in communicating with the
government officials. "Earlier, government was unaware of our existence.
Having known about the association, we are given due importance and benefits.
For that matter, the GO for the sales exemption during the Gitex Hyderabad event
was prepared with the suggestions from the association," explained Menon.

However, Gumidelli adds, "We still need to increase the rapport with the
government and there's lot of things that can happen with good communication.
We can keep each other informed about the market status thereby strengthening
the base for marketing our products and solutions."

The association played an important role in circumventing the turnover tax on
the speakers going into the audio video tax as perceived by the government.
"We had to prove that speakers are very much part of the computer and that
should not be considered as a independent component. Had this initiative not
being taken up by us, now we should have been paying 12% to 16% only for
speakers from that of the present four per cent," explained Gumidelli.

With the number of meetings going up, and as members started sharing their
concerns seeking suggestions, a kind of secure feeling among the retail
community has thus been established firmly. With the trust and strong belief,
says Gumidelli, the members are also contributing largely in the form of funds
and moral support for fellow retailers.

Executive Committee

PRESIDENT: Salesh Gumidelli

VICE PRESIDENTS: Veeraswamy, DR Bhandari

SECRETARY: TS Srinivasan

JOINT SECRETARY: Dipender Singh

TREASURER: Abhay Kumar Baid

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