PC sales may not reach target: Expert<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Sales of personal computers (PC) this year will
\nlikely fall short of the targeted 350,000 units, a computer
\nexpert said on Friday.<\/p>\n
\"Looking at the conditions (of the rupiah) these past two
\nweeks, the target may not be reached,\" said IBM country manager
\nfor personal systems group Suryo Suwignjo.<\/p>\n
\"We would like to be optimistic, but for now things don't look
\nto be improving.\"<\/p>\n
Suryo said the first quarter of 2000 saw sales reach 90,000
\nunits worth approximately US$108 million.<\/p>\n
In 1999 PC sales reached 279,000 units ($334.8 million) after
\nplunging to 74,000 units ($88.8 million) in 1998. This was a big
\nimprovement but still far from the pre-crisis level of 392,000
\nunits ($470.4 million) in 1997, he said.<\/p>\n
Computer exhibitions helped boost sales a little because they
\ntarget the individuals, while companies holding brand names like
\nIBM target corporate users, Suryo said.<\/p>\n
\"Corporate buyers cannot be attracted with computer shows,\" he
\nsaid, noting that companies were reluctant to buy while the
\nrupiah was still unstable.<\/p>\n
The ongoing Indocomfair 2000 at the Jakarta Convention Center
\nis one of many that have sprung up in recent weeks as foreign and
\nlocal computer makers strive to boost sales and market shares.<\/p>\n
Hidayat Tjokrodjojo, chairman of the Indonesian Computer
\nEntrepreneurs Association (Apkomindo), said it was difficult to
\nsell computers while the country was still in the middle of a
\ncrisis.<\/p>\n
Participating in computer exhibitions would help sales, he
\nsaid. \"Sales are better for those joining the show than those who
\ndo not,\" he added.<\/p>\n
More than 50 companies are taking part in the Indocomfair 2000
\nwhich will last until Sunday.<\/p>\n
Competing head-to-head with each other for what small market
\nthey have, they fiercely try to attract buyers with bonuses and
\nextras.<\/p>\n
\"It's all very well, but the prices are still too high because
\nthey sell in dollars,\" a visitor at the show said.<\/p>\n
Multimedia PCs with international brand names like Packard
\nBell, Hewlett Packard, Acer and Compaq were sold at between
\n$1,050 to $2,990, at the rupiah rate of Rp 8,100 to Rp 8,600.<\/p>\n
Mugen, a local computer brand company, sells its multimedia
\ncomputers at between $750 to $1,585.<\/p>\n
Most sellers say prices will be higher after the exhibition.<\/p>\n
For a more down-to-earth prices, many computer shops offer
\nlocally assembled computers, known in local jargon as komputer
\njangkrik or cricket computers.<\/p>\n
They are priced in rupiah at between Rp 5.9 million to Rp 11.6
\nmillion for computers powered with Intel Pentium III.<\/p>\n
Bonuses and extras comes in various forms. Packard Bell offers
\n30 pre-installed software titles, and a choice of a Lexmark
\nprinter or a WinTV card for watching television on the computer.<\/p>\n
Hewlett Packard gives away a D-Link Webcam for every Pavilion
\nseries, and an additional HP Deskjet printer for the sale of the
\nPavilion 8618 model.<\/p>\n
Compaq offers free T-shirts with every computer unit.<\/p>\n
And, of course, they also include a free computer table,
\ncomputer cover, mouse pad, and stabilizer; items which are
\noffered by other computer dealers.<\/p>\n
\"It is better if you buy now, before the rupiah plummets
\nfurther,\" a sales promotion girl at the Hewlett Packard stand
\nwarned. (10)<\/p>",
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