PC industry off to a flyer in 2007

The Christmas sales data has yet to come through but in today’s frenetic business climate Q1 2007 is all that matters. PC Retail spoke to a few technology distributors to find out how they’re starting the year.

As expected, the Microsoft launches dominate the immediate plans of many distributors. “The launch of Windows Vista and Office 2007 on  January 30th is a major focus for VIP right now,” said VIP sales and marketing director, Karin Jones, “and as an authorised Microsoft OEM software distributor we’re expecting the arrival of these new products to provide a strong boost to sales at the start of the quarter.”

Neil Handa of Gem Distribution echoed this view. “Microsoft’s launch of Windows Vista and Office 2007 is going to be a key event for Gem. Along with the software launch in early 2007, Gem will also be looking forward to supporting the market with products which add to the Vista experience from both first party and third party suppliers.”

It’s not all Vista, however. Many distributors will be consolidating their position in the lucrative B2B sector, with server systems being supplied by an increasing number of them. Warren Hudson of Interface solutions shared his company’s plans: “From the 1st of January, Interface has been also appointed as a channel development partner for Sun Microsystems, this gives us access to sell the full range of Sun products, including Suns market leading Sparc based Unix servers.”

Finally, after a busy 2006, Jon Atherton of Enta Technologies expects more of the same. “The first quarter for 2007 will be a hectic one for Enta for several reasons.” he said, “including the launch of Vista, Channel Expo, recruitment of new vendors and finalising the strategies for the first half of this year. On top of that we are driving our new Microsoft licensing site and further developments to www.entaonline.com. When was Christmas again?”