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Microsoft to increase channel partners to widen market

Staff Reporter

The strategy will enable Microsoft products to reach small cities and towns

NEW DELHI: Aiming at increasing the sales of its hardware products across the country, Microsoft India on Wednesday announced expansion of its field sales team and increasing the number of retail outlets from 6,300 to 10,000 within a year.

Launching `Project Vistaar,' the Manager of Microsoft India's home and entertainment division, Mohit Anand, said the new initiative would help them achieve up to 70 per cent growth in hardware sales. "We will increase the number of local representatives from to 34 people in 26 cities from the present 13 in 12 cities. Similarly, the expansion of channel partners would be beyond the four metros," he added.

Stating that this strategy would enable Microsoft products to reach small cities and towns across India, Mr. Anand said these towns were witnessing personal computer sales growth in the range of 60 to 70 per cent. "With the strengthening of our new team and increase in partners, Microsoft will be able to achieve a similar growth,'' Mr. Anand added.

"We are confident that a wider and more pervasive distribution network will enable Microsoft to take its hardware input devices across the country," Mr. Anand said, adding that the Microsoft HED hardware products range mainly includes wireless optical desktop comfort edition, optical desktop with fingerprint reader, standard wireless optical desktop, MS Office Works suites, games, digital imaging suite and Encarta encyclopaedia edition.

Special Channel Pack

UNI adds:

The company launched a special Channel Pack for its retail partners, aimed at providing them with process-driven marketing support to tap new business opportunities. It will segment channel partners on the basis of core competencies and enable them to develop additional capabilities in those areas. "An online version of this pack will be available to every partner,'' Mr Anand said.

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