Channel to get smart on sealing drive

Amrita Tejasvi

New Delhi

September 3rd, 2007

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) as part of its sealing drive has
made its message clear regarding unauthorized buildings putting many channel
partners and solution providers were also in a fix. Team Computers, PC Solutions
and Silicon Integrix are among the channel businesses located in unauthorized
areas that may have to relocate sooner or later. In a bid to stay a step ahead
of the drive, Progressive Channels Association of IT (PCAIT) has circulated an
informative e-mail to its members to take precautionary measures and relocate
before the MCD catches up with them. "There are many dealers who are
located in residential areas and therefore they should start taking preventive
measures, before MCD demolishes their office," advised Saket Kapur,
Secretary, PCAIT.

Team Computers, located in Mohammadpur, has already decided to relocate and
is in the process of constructing their office in Noida and Gurgaon. The company
has decided to shift to their new office in a few weeks time. "Our current
location is not authorized by MCD for commercial usage, so we have decided to
shift base. We realized that if the premises is not meant for business
activities then we should take steps in advance to ensure that there is no chaos
at the last moment," said Ranjan Chopra, MD, Team Computers.

RK Malhotra from Silicon Integrix said that his team is in talks with the
sealing committee of MCD and things would be finalized once the dialogues were
over. He clarified that he was not in a position to comment on the relocation
part as it has not yet been decided whether they would have to shift from their
Kalu Sarai-based office or not.

The dilemma

One major cause of concern for channel partners, who are planning to shift,
is that the relocation could cause a negative impact on their business, as they
might lose important clients and will have to gain the confidence of new
customers all over again. Moreover, it can also lead to the loss of their
employees who might not be comfortable with the new location of the office, and
hence start looking out for other options that makes commuting easy.

"The relocation can be a little risky for your business as it might
cause loss of clients as well as manpower. We are making efforts to hold on to
both. We will provide conveyance to our employees if needed. That will solve the
problem of commuting for them," said Chopra.

An employee of PC Solutions commented that they were not aware of any kind of
threat from the sealing drive or consequent relocation. But if the office were
to be relocated then their decision to stay or quit would depend on the new
location.