Computer Trade Shopper articles from July 2004

Computer Trade Shopper archives from July 2004

The ultimate goal.(Editorial)
July 14, 2004... Talks about plans to thwart the threat of spam are being held at the highest level, with the great and the good concerned as to which is the best way to stop what is now a virtual epidemic The United Nations is a very busy organisation in...

Channel fears spiralling service costs.(Reseller News)
July 14, 2004... The Cisco channel are bracing themselves for the prospect of increasing its service charges to customers by 30 or 40 per cent or paying the charges themselves as part of the networking giant's controversial shared support scheme. Every...

Youna persists with direct competition.(Reseller News)
July 14, 2004... The channel can continue to compete and succeed against Dell's direct model, according to Gerard Youna, newly appointed Tech Data European president. Youna said he had targeted four key areas to improve operational efficiencies within the...

Ingram Micro launches build-your-own-notebook scheme.(Reseller News)
July 14, 2004... Ingram Micro has become the latest distributor to join the white box notebook fray with the launch of a 'build-your-own-notebook' scheme for the SME market. The introduction of the scheme by the company's components division is part and...

Bell sets its sights on Europe after OpenPSL acquisition.(Reseller News)
July 14, 2004... OpenPSL has turned its back on a proposed initial public offering (IPO) opting instead to be bought by Bell Microproducts for an aggregate purchase price of $36m (19.8m [pounds sterling]), bringing to a close weeks of speculations over the...

Market pressure dampens optimism.(Reseller News)
July 14, 2004... Despite expectations earlier this year that margins would begin to rise, an exclusive survey by our sister magazine MicroScope has revealed that resellers are still struggling to make money on product sales. But there still appears to be a...

Local government market is compared to a "big jigsaw".(Reseller News)
July 14, 2004... The local government sector has been a real source of discussion in the channel this year, with some saying it is a market ripe for the picking and others declaring it is just too tough for small resellers to address. Recently, it was...

ITNET suffers blow as it loses 83m [pounds sterling] contract.(Reseller News)
July 14, 2004... ITNET's hopes of expanding out of its local government base suffered a heavy blow after it lost its first major central government contract. The loss of the 83m [pounds sterling] contract with the Cabinet Office after only a year raised...

A card at the top of its game.
July 14, 2004... What makes one graphics card better than another? Specs could be one differentiator, so could price, but the real winners are those that leave the user with a good feeling that the board they chose is the complete package. The ingredients...

Pretty as a high-res picture.
July 14, 2004... Since CTS launched its awards system earlier this year, there has not been a rush to hand out gold awards because, although some products have come close, very few have sat comfortably in the 'excellent' category. The Relisys TL795A 17in...

This really is the next big thing.
July 14, 2004... Ever since consumer 64-bit processors, the industry has been waiting for 'the next big thing'. Of course, this is an industry which is always waiting for the 'next big thing', which is why every manufacturer always claims to have one. ...

ATI graphics to rival nVidia.
July 14, 2004... Just as with the Intel and AMD choices, there are two strong brands in the world of graphics, with fans of both the nVidia and ATI offerings. The nVidia GeForce range is popular, but equally so is the ATI Radeon 9000 series. Choosing...

One for those in the know.
July 14, 2004... It just wouldn't be right if we had an issue of CTS without at least a couple of motherboards to look at, so thanks go to MSI for providing us with the latest from its stable, the 865GM3-LS. This board is interesting because of its target...

Standing out from the crowd.
July 14, 2004... The move by the market to embrace the barebone concept has turned from a trickle into a flood with everyone trying to exploit the demand that system builders and customers have for a flexible solution. It helps if you were one of the first...

Share profits with KeConnect.
July 14, 2004... Recent price cuts by BT put the issue of broadband back into the spotlight, but for a great many resellers the issue passes them by because it is hard to see exactly where the money can be made selling the technology. An alternative is...

It's all over now.(Computer Trade Shopper round-up)
July 14, 2004... Well, Euro 2004 is over. A total of 16 teams whittled down to one--Greece. Who were the best players? Well for me, Wayne Rooney, Maniche, Cristiano Ronaldo, Traianos Dellas and Milan Baros--outside of "the new Pele" and "the new Figo", who...

Anyone with a printer will be able to moan about the price of cartridge replacements.(Shorts)
July 14, 2004... Anyone with a printer will be able to moan about the price of cartridge replacements. But more smiles could be breaking out thanks to JR Inkjet, which has announced plans to slash its prices and provide resellers with a counter-top unit which...

The explosion of flash memory products that are big on memory but small on size has led to an idea for promotion that system builders could use to get their message to customers.(Shorts)
July 14, 2004... The explosion of flash memory products that are big on memory but small on size has led to an idea for promotion that system builders could use to get their message to customers. Firebrand Promotions has launched a flash pen and a wristwatch...

Waitec has reacted to increasing demand for pen devices with the launch of its E-ZI Drive USB 2.0, which features storage capacities ranging from 128MB to 1GB.(Shorts)
July 14, 2004... Waitec has reacted to increasing demand for pen devices with the launch of its E-ZI Drive USB 2.0, which features storage capacities ranging from 128MB to 1GB. It works with both Mac and PC and comes with a ten-year warranty. The E-ZI USB 2.0...

Well known for its motherboards, graphics cards and barebone systems, Gigabyte has revealed plans to enter the lightweight notebook market.(Shorts)
July 14, 2004... Well known for its motherboards, graphics cards and barebone systems, Gigabyte has revealed plans to enter the lightweight notebook market. The vendor is close to launching its N512, an ultra-slim, lightweight mobile with a 15in screen that...

No more 4.30am starts for me: Sean Williams, vice-president Europe, Belkin.(Talking Shop)
July 14, 2004... What are your main responsibilities at the company? Developing and executing our European strategy for sales, customer service, product development, handling and fulfilment, and supply chain. Do you have a business maxim? a. First,...

SME crossroads.(Market Overview)
July 14, 2004... It may be a market which has been in existence for a long time and generated a lot of noise from vendors over the years, but it's surprising how much wreckage has been left behind in the wake of failed schemes which once sailed so...

The tender spot.(Tender Invitations)
July 14, 2004... 105868 Tender Invitation UK-Bootle: miscellaneous computer equipment PCs, data projectors and interactive whiteboards. 104287 Tender Invitation UK-London: database services Children's information service. 104925...

Manufacturers.
July 14, 2004... MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATIONS PC Association 01763 262987 www.pcossoc.org DATA STORAGE CD-ROM/DVD STORAGE 1st Computer Traders Ltd 01827 55555 www.1ct.com Amacom Technologies Ltd 020 8993 7373...

Distributors.
July 14, 2004... 1st Computer Traders 01827 55555 01827 66666 www.1ct.com Ltd 3d Micro Limited 020 7384 1174 020 7736 6033 4Front Network 01635 567299 01923 210910 www.4front. ...

Mad for broadband.(Editorial)
July 28, 2004... As a self-confessed broadband addict, Phil Wainewright couldn't believe his ears when he was told it would take at least two weeks to get connected at a new address--they were to be the most trying two weeks of his life... Once you start...

Low PC prices eat into revenues.(Reseller News)
July 28, 2004... The channel has reiterated warnings from the UK's largest reseller, Computacenter, that despite selling large numbers of desktops, price erosion continues to severely undermine margins. Computacenter highlighted the problem of material...

Cisco moves to calm reseller fears about shared support programme.(Reseller News)
July 28, 2004... Cisco has moved to defend its controversial shared support programme, claiming the prospects of pushing increased service costs to customers can be off-set by the delivery of alternate information to the vendor. Karl Meulema,...

Vendors need a fresh approach to target SMEs.(Reseller News)
July 28, 2004... The SME market has attracted a lot of attention in recent years as the enterprise space has hit hard times and vendors have been forced to look elsewhere for business. But the challenge many have come up against is how to take the success...

Microsoft raises channel spend to massive $1.7bn.(Reseller News)
July 28, 2004... Flying in the face of recent reports that the software giant was to embark on a huge cost-saving programme, Microsoft has unveiled a large investment in its channel support programme. At its annual global partner event last week, Microsoft...

Resellers find VoIP take-up held back.
July 28, 2004... Resellers hoping for a large shift to VoIP are finding it difficult to get customers to embrace the technology because of technical and financial obstacles that are unlikely to be removed this year. During a panel debate hosted by the...

Maxdata pitches dealers desktop alternative.(Reseller News)
July 28, 2004... Maxdata has revealed ambitions to mimic Fujitsu Siemens' approach to the market, taking share from rivals and offering an alternative for resellers looking to widen their portfolios. Warren Lewis, sales and marketing director at Maxdata,...

C2000 works on white box programme.(Reseller News)
July 28, 2004... The head of Computer 2000's components division revealed that the distributor had been looking at the possibility of providing a white box notebook programme for systems integrators and resellers. General manager of the components division,...

Meet GeForce's little brother.
July 28, 2004... The AGP standard is still hanging on by the skin of its teeth and is likely to avoid an untimely death for some time into the future. It's the Rolling Stone of the PC world--it's likely to keel over any second but, hey man, it still rocks! ...

Introducing the DVD that does it all.
July 28, 2004... Over the past couple of years DVD players have come into their own, with prices dropping from hundreds to tens of pounds and the films also getting cheaper, making it the de facto entertainment platform of choice. But, there are so many...

LG optical products available from VIP Computers.(Advertorial)(Advertisement)
July 28, 2004... LG Electronics are global market leaders in the manufacture and marketing of optical storage drives. The extensive product range offers some of the fastest data retrieval speeds and, with the high level of investment in R&D, LG Electronics is...

VIP appoints new carrier partner.(VIP News)(Advertisement)
July 28, 2004... Due to changing needs of reseller partners, VIP has renegotiated its carrier contract to provide a better service to its customers. Interlink Express, the industry's largest franchise network of 100 depots, whose reputation is built on...

VIP offer free online delivery.(VIP News)(Advertisement)
July 28, 2004... To support customers during the summer months, VIP is offering free next day delivery on all online orders over 500 [pounds sterling] (excluding VAT) made on the VIP Online Shop www.vip-computers.co.uk The offer is available from 1st July to...

New PSU vendor launched to VIP.(VIP News)(Advertisement)
July 28, 2004... VIP has recently introduced Enermax, a new brand of PSUs to its product portfolio. Enermax is a high-quality PSU manufacturer with an excellent reputation for quality and innovation. Initially VIP is stocking a range of eight products and is...

More than just a pretty face.
July 28, 2004... The world of casing has come under the spotlight in a dramatic way in the past year-and-a-half as manufacturers start to have fun and take note of customer wish-lists, then give free reign to their design departments. There have been cases...

Wow visitors with top service.
July 28, 2004... If you are a reseller or system builder who goes to visit channel contacts you will have enjoyed the delights of a distribution reception with a phone and a visitors book. Some vendors are not much better and while you wait for your...

It's oh so quiet and peaceful.
July 28, 2004... Do you remember a couple of years ago Bjork, that mad singer from Iceland, had a huge hit with a song entitled It's oh so quiet? Quite a catchy number that never really saw the chart success it deserved. If not for the fact that she would be...

Respect for top notch graphics.
July 28, 2004... What really matters with a graphics card is power and, let's face it, if you have the money (and you will need a few pounds for this product) then it pays to cut to the chase and go for the top of the range. Waiting for you above the...

The times are a-changing.(Computer Trade Shopper round-up)
July 28, 2004... Component specialists have always had traditional routes to buying products, but increasingly in the Internet age there is an opportunity to hit a large number of potential supply targets with a single e-mail. A couple of developments in...

Sapphire has demonstrated a commitment to bringing quality to the budget market by introducing its Radeon 9250.(Shorts)
July 28, 2004... Sapphire has demonstrated a commitment to bringing quality to the budget market by introducing its Radeon 9250, a competitively priced ATI AGP card, which is now shipping to system integrators and retail distributors. [ILLUSTRATION...

Speed matters with burner products and Pioneer is at the front of the pack.(Shorts)
July 28, 2004... Speed matters with burner products and Pioneer is at the front of the pack, raising the bar with the DVR-A08XL, which can support 16x write speeds on both DVDR/+R and has the option to write 4x speed on double layer media. [ILLUSTRATION...

Those analysts who claim that notebook sales will soon start heading south have obviously not seen the Toshiba Qosmio E10 series.(Shorts)
July 28, 2004... Those analysts who claim that notebook sales will soon start heading south have obviously not seen the Toshiba Qosmio E10 series, which offers a "four-in-one" experience with TV, audio, DVD recorder and PC functionality. The product is aimed...

Digital TV means AverMedia in the system builder market and fans of watching TV on the desktop will be pleased to hear that the vendor has launched its Aver DVB-T 771.(Shorts)
July 28, 2004... Digital TV means AverMedia in the system builder market and fans of watching TV on the desktop will be pleased to hear that the vendor has launched its Aver DVB-T 771, which allows the user to watch digital television, enjoying all of the...

Addicted to clinching deals: Tahira Perveen, country sales manager, UK and Ireland, D-Link Europe.(Talking Shop)
July 28, 2004... What are your main responsibilities at the company? I am responsible for managing all aspects of sales and marketing, including planning and implementing strategy, and for ensuring the overall profitability for D-Link in the UK and Ireland....

Investing in user skills.(Market Overview--IT Training)
July 28, 2004... While it always used to be the case that training courses were an important and often integral part of the reseller product set, providing added value by the bucketful, it hasn't looked that way for the last few years. David Pardo,...

The tender spot.(Tender Invitations)
July 28, 2004... This is a list of public authorities that are inviting bids from potential suppliers. Further information is available from Tenders Direct--contact details at the bottom of the page These notices are from the Official Journal of the European...

A lesson in business.(Feature: The Education Market)
July 28, 2004... The phrase "back to school" is calculated to send a shiver of fear down the spine of every right-minded schoolchild. But this autumn, when they tumble back into their classrooms, many can be comforted by the thought that nearly as much...

Manufacturers.(The Directory)
July 28, 2004... MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATIONS PC Association 01763 262987 www.pcossoc.org DATA STORAGE CD-ROM/DVD STORAGE 1st Computer Traders Ltd 01827 55555 www.1ct.com Amacom Technologies Ltd 020 8993 7373...

Distributors.(The Directory)
July 28, 2004... 1st Computer Traders 01827 55555 01827 66666 www.1ct.com Ltd 3d Micro Limited 020 7384 1174 020 7736 6033 4Front Network 01635 567299 01923 210910 www.4front. ...