Computer sales to grow by 50%, says association<\/p>\n
Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Domestic sales of personal computers (PCs) are expected to rise
\nby 50 percent to 1.5 million units this year, on the back of the
\npublic's increasing need for computers in their daily activities,
\nan industry association said.<\/p>\n
Sales of mobile computing devices -- notebook computers and
\npersonal digital assistants (PDAs) -- also will continue their
\nrising trend, as more people see the need and practicality of
\nbringing their work with them, the association said.<\/p>\n
\"We see this year as being a particularly good one for the
\ncomputer industry,\" Indonesian Computer Business Association
\n(Apkomindo) chairman G. Hidayat Tjokrodjojo told The Jakarta
\nPost. \"There are so many factors that will be able to boost
\ncomputer sales.\"<\/p>\n
In addition to improved purchasing power as a result of the
\ndomestic economy's continued recovery, Hidayat said the
\ncommencement of several government-endorsed infrastructure
\nprojects would contribute as well to this year's PC sales.<\/p>\n
\"The projects will obviously need a lot of computing power for
\ntheir administrative tasks and such, which we hope can be met by
\nlocal PCs,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Data from Apkomindo shows that domestic demand for PCs has
\nbeen on a steady rise over the last several years. PC sales
\nreached one million units in 2004, a 33 percent increase from the
\n750,000 units in 2003, which was itself a 20 percent rise from
\n600,000 units in 2002.<\/p>\n
Locally assembled PCs -- popularly known as komputer rakitan
\n-- account for about 60 percent of all sales, with the remaining
\n40 percent being built-up desk tops.<\/p>\n
Of total computer sales, notebooks make up about 20 percent to
\n30 percent.<\/p>\n
\"The notebook share is expected to rise, as more people tend
\nto be notebook-minded these days,\" Hidayat said.<\/p>\n
\"Almost all corporate managers, from mid-level up, for
\nexample, now carry notebooks around with them so they can make a
\npresentation of their work and project wherever they go.\"<\/p>\n
Hidayat also sees the recent integration of the
\ntelecommunications directorate general from the Ministry of
\nTransportation into the newly upgraded State Minister for
\nCommunications and Information as a positive step for the local
\ncomputer industry.<\/p>\n
\"The government, through the ministry, can now focus more on
\npromoting information technology to the public,\" Hidayat said.
\n\"This will certainly help PC sales in the country.\"<\/p>\n
Besides the domestic factors, Hidayat also cited recent events
\nin the global computer industry -- including the decision of
\ncomputer giant IBM to sell its PC business to Chinese PC maker
\nLenovo and the resignation of Carly Fiorina as Hewlett-Packard's
\nchief executive officer -- as having a positive effect on PC
\nsales in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"These events will surely make these companies pursue new
\nmarketing strategies, which will in the end improve sales of
\nbranded PCs here,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's computer penetration is among the lowest in
\nSoutheast Asia -- only some 4 percent of the country's 220
\nmillion people have access to computers.<\/p>\n
Apkomindo itself rolled out the PC Ownership Initiative to
\nhelp increase access to computers, offering affordable PCs priced
\nat Rp 3 million (US$333) through pilot projects in Bali and East
\nKalimantan.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/computer-sales-to-grow-by-50-says-association-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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