done.CHA<\/p>\n
;JP;
\nANPAc..r..
\nNotebooks-market-outlook<\/p>\n
Robust notebook sales growth paints a bright future<\/p>\n
Rudijanto
\nContributor
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Although the average price of a notebook computer may be four
\ntimes that of a desktop personal computer, or PC, the
\nsurprisingly higher 2003 sales growth of notebooks in Indonesia
\nhas made distributors quite optimistic about the device's
\nmarketability in the years to come.<\/p>\n
Data compiled from various sources by the Association of
\nCommunity Internet Centers (APWKomitel) reveals that notebook
\nsales in 2003 grew around 14 percent, while PC sales rose by only
\nabout 10 percent.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that PC sales still constituted the bulk of
\nlast year's computer sales -- about 740,000 units compared to
\n80,000 notebooks -- many notebook distributors believe they can
\nmaintain the growth in sales.<\/p>\n
\"We hope that in 2004, notebook sales growth can be maintained
\nat about 13 percent, especially among commercial buyers, like
\ncorporations and executives,\" said Rudi Rusdiah, APWKomitel
\nChairman and PT Micronics Internusa CEO. Micronics markets Dell
\nproducts in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Martin Wibisono, Hewlett Packard (HP) Indonesia's
\nmarket development manager for Personal Systems Group, also
\nbelieved prospects for the notebook market looked bright in 2004.<\/p>\n
\"According to figures issued by the International Data
\nCorporation (IDC), our target for notebook sales this year has
\ngone up from 15 percent last year to 18 percent,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Toshiba distributor PT Aneka Infokom Tekindo expects even
\nhigher growth. Aneka general manager Gunawan Nugroho said this
\nyear, domestic notebook sales could grow by 18 percent or more,
\neven 20 percent.<\/p>\n
During the launch of Toshiba's new Portege series A100 and
\nM20 and its Pocket PC e400 and e800 series in Jakarta last month,
\nGunawan announced that the company had targeted sales of between
\n25,000 and 27,000 notebooks in 2004 -- or 30 percent of the
\ndomestic market share.<\/p>\n
Gunawan claimed that last year, Toshiba was the market leader
\nin this segment.<\/p>\n
HP also has similar expectations. Claiming market leadership
\nduring the second and third quarters of 2003, Martin said HP
\naimed at better sales growth and maintaining its dominant
\nposition with a market share of over 30 percent.<\/p>\n
\"In the first quarter of 2003, we were still number three in
\nthe market. We jumped two positions in the second and third
\nquarters and have maintained our number one position up to now.
\nWe expect that we will claim the number one spot in the fourth
\nquarter of 2003 ... we are still awaiting the sales report from
\nthe IDC. Our market share in the third quarter was a robust 30
\npercent,\" said Martin.<\/p>\n
Such optimism among notebook distributors seems at odds with
\nthe current investment trend -- most foreign corporations with
\ninvestment or expansion plans have adopted a wait-and-see
\nattitude.<\/p>\n
Moreover, some investors and analysts predict that the 2004
\nnational elections would impact the local economy negatively,
\nsuch as contribute to a decline in consumer spending.<\/p>\n
While major players in the Indonesian notebook market expect a
\nhealthy domestic growth in spite of various internal and external
\nfactors, most admit that such factors heighten competition.<\/p>\n
\"Competition is not getting any easier, and it will become
\nfiercer in this hyper-competitive market, where many products are
\nbecoming commodities,\" said Ferry Sutanto, IBM Indonesia Personal
\nComputing advisory sales specialist.<\/p>\n
Most major companies acknowledge that competition is going to
\nbe tough on all fronts, since players are battling it out in both
\nthe commercial and individual consumer segments. HP and Dell,
\nhowever, are clearly focusing on the corporate segment.<\/p>\n
\"The most promising market in 2004 is the corporate market,
\nwhich we believe will grow faster than the individual consumer
\nsegment,\" said HP's Martin.<\/p>\n
Elaborating on the market's potential, Dell's Rudi said many
\nmultinationals, such as those in the mining industry, were not
\napprehensive about the domestic situation, including the
\nelections.<\/p>\n
\"I believe that major corporations, such as financial
\nservices, banks, mining companies and other, mostly export-
\noriented firms, will make solid contributions to notebook sales
\nthis year and in coming years,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In addition to the corporate sector, IBM and Toshiba also
\nexpect strong growth in the retail consumer segment. IBM's Ferry
\nexpects greater demand in this segment, even though the segment
\nwas price-sensitive.<\/p>\n
Toshiba Computer System sales and marketing manager Glenn
\nBatchelor emphasized the company's commitment to developing its
\nindividual consumer segment this year.<\/p>\n
\"One of our reasons is that this particular segment showed
\nhigh growth -- 124 percent -- during 2003, above the average
\nsales growth for notebooks in Indonesia,\" said Glenn.<\/p>\n
This year, more than ever, major players such as IBM, HP,
\nDell, Acer and Toshiba are strengthening their marketing
\nstrategies, network, support services and communications
\ncampaigns to claim a big chunk of each market segment. It goes
\nwithout saying that all are also offering a full range of
\nsuperior products.<\/p>\n
\"We plan to launch several new notebooks -- the IBM ThinkPad
\nR, T and X series and a number of others ... with the newest
\nIntel processor technology, integrated Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)
\nand our own latest innovation, the Active Protection System,\"
\nsaid Ferry.<\/p>\n
He explained that the Active Protection System monitored
\nexternal conditions and also protected the hard drive from severe
\nshocks in the case of an accidental fall.<\/p>\n
\"We have also installed the newest data protection system.
\nUsers can return to the last working condition, or last backup
\nsave, by pressing F11. For instance, let's say the last scheduled
\nbackup is today at 12:00 p.m., but an accident or virus attack
\nhappens at 3:00 p.m. By pressing F11, users can return to the
\nworking condition of 12:00 p.m.,\" Ferry explained.<\/p>\n
To boost sales for this year, HP is introducing its new
\nPavilion notebook for the retail and individual consumer market.
\nPavilion incorporates an Intel processor enhanced with hyper-
\nthreading technology. HP's new Tablet PC TC1100 with Centrino
\ntechnology is expected to raise sales further.<\/p>\n
\"We are also going to launch several new corporate models in
\ncoming months. They come with the latest technology, like higher
\nprocessor speed, Centrino technology, hyper-threading processor,
\nwidescreen format, rejuvenated docking system, Bluetooth, SD
\nslot, wireless format and remote control,\" said Martin.<\/p>\n
With more models incorporating the highly advanced features
\navailable today, corporate and individual consumers obviously
\nhave a better selection from which to choose. Like any
\ntechnological product, the more advanced the product, the higher
\nthe price tag.<\/p>\n
The good news is that some notebooks and laptops with adequate
\nfeatures and a few extras cost less than US$1,000, not much more
\nthan a branded desktop PC and LCD monitor.<\/p>\n
\"Given the current high demand for LCD monitors, their price
\nhas gone down significantly. At the same time, notebook prices
\nhave also fallen as a result,\" said Rudi.<\/p>\n
Another encouraging factor for PC distributors is the
\nrelatively stable rupiah exchange rate. Add to it the current
\ntrends and lifestyles across major cities, where cafes, lounges
\nand other public venues provide facilities for today's mobile
\nIndonesians.<\/p>\n
Such trends and developments -- and their hopes for a smooth
\nnational elections -- are good reasons for an optimistic
\nprojection.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/donecha-1447899208",
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