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Third Wave Opens First Toughbook Outlet in India
By
ChannelTimes Staff
Mumbai, Aug 28, 2006
Panasonic Systems Asia Pacific, today announced its country-wide retail program for Toughbooks in India with the opening of its first outlet at Panasonic Shoppe, GN Chetty Road, Chennai.
Launched in association with its distributors Third Wave Exim, the showroom will house all models of Toughbook available in India namely, the rugged CF-18 and CF-29, the semi-rugged CF-73, and the ultra-portable CF-W2, CF-Y2 and CF-T2.
Third Wave, so far, has made forays in North and West. The inauguration of first retail outlet in Chennai now marks its presence in the South as well. The company has ambitious plans to tap the market in the East as well in the next four to five months. The retail shops that Third Wave plans to partner with across the country will primarily be multi-brand outlets. It is currently in talks with select retailers and plans to sign up two outlets in New Delhi, another two in Mumbai and one each in Bangalore, Pune and Ahmedabad in the first phase.
Vijay Sheth, chief executive officer, Third Wave Exim, said, "Ever since the launch of Panasonic's legendary Toughbooks in the country, we had been concentrating on institutional sales, especially of the rugged models in the niche verticals including the government enterprises. Having successfully established operations in the domain, we are now focusing on individual customers and corporate clients as well - positioning the semi-rugged and ultra-portable models. The retail initiative is the first step in this direction. This will be well supported by advertising, engagement of premium retailers and channel partners across the country."
Gauging the success of this initiative, Third Wave intends to sign up 15 more retail outlets in the immediate future, including B class cities and the upcountry markets. Though the outlets will be opened in association with its channel partners, they will essentially be managed by Third Wave.
According to Kelvin Yeo, assistant manager, IT products, Panasonic Systems Asia Pacific, "Though the natural constituencies of the Panasonic Toughbook computers, especially the rugged field mobile range, are highly demanding verticals such as defense, law enforcement, mining, oil exploration etc, the business mobile range - semi-rugged and ultra-portable models - finds application in corporate environments too. The market for business mobile computers is best addressed through retail than institutional sales."
Third Wave Exim ropes in partners under two distinct categories - Toughbook Premium Partners and Tough-book Authorized Partners. While the Premium Partners procure demo kits and are engaged directly by Third Wave Exim under its own partner network, the Toughbook Authorized Partners are appointed by the Toughbook Premium Partners constituting the tier two of the company's channel network. The current strength of Toughbook Premium Partner is seven and the company plans to increase this to 15 by the end of this calendar year. However, it intends to grow slow on the Toughbook Authorized Partner front. It will increase the count of its Authorized Partners only marginally from existing 25 to 30 in the months to come.
"Besides setting aside funds for the retail initiative and recruiting a product specialist at each location to do the brand and product promotion, the retailer or channel partner should understand the product well. This is one of the most significant parameters. It is important for our partner in the channel network - be it at any level or tier - to comprehend the product offering well enough such that he can share its vitality with the prospective customers. If the channel partner is catering to a particular vertical, in-depth knowledge of the domain is also highly desirable. Only then will he be able to understand and further explain the various applications that can be specially built for the vertical on the tablet PC," Sheth said.
Third Wave Exim started distributing Panasonic Toughbooks about a year ago. Though it has been into distribution of Panasonic's office automation products for long, Toughbooks alone contribute almost 50 percent to its overall revenues now. This fiscal, Third Wave expects business worth Rs 60 crore from sale of Toughbooks. The semi-rugged and ultra-portable series of Toughbooks are available at a price ranging from Rs 1,60,000 to Rs 3 lakh, whereas the rugged range starts at Rs 2 lakh and goes up to Rs 6 lakh depending on the feature set required.
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We have requirement of these Toughbooks. Can you tell us who is looking after sales and service in Delhi. |
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- SATISH,
SARAS, DELHI
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Thanks for showing interest in ToughBook.
Plz contact Mr Asad ansari cell no 9312947356 |
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- Mani,
Panasonic Tough, Bangalore
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WE ARE LOOKING FOR A NOTEBOOK WHICH
CAN BE USED IN RND CENTERS OF DEFENCE
CAN YOU SUGGEST, WHETHER THE TOUGHBOOK IS COMPATIBLE, PLEASE FORWARD US THE CONFIGURATION WITH PRICE LIST. |
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- BHAGAWAN KRS,
Digicomp Comple, Bangalore
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Yes It can be used.
For more i represent toughbook u can call me on my cell
9343214442 |
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- mani,
Panasonic, Bangalore
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