Samsung introduces India-exclusive CD-ROMs

Samsung has introduced CD-ROM drives that are manufactured especially to meet

Indian conditions. Apart from sporting a new look in the form of a blue band on

its front, the CD-ROM also features a fast forward and reverse button.

Additionally, this drive incorporates dynamic vibration absorber (DVA)

technology, which Samsung claims, gives continuous reading.

By introducing a product which has an obvious visual differential, the

company hopes to curb parallel imports in this product segment. Says Moninder

Jain, Asst GM, SEIIT, "Since only these drives carry a blue band, one would

not be able to push drives imported through the parallel channel as genuine

ones." Moninder is also very clear about warranty support to be offered on

the CD-ROM drives. "We have a serial number tracking system in place for

drives imported legally by us and we will offer warranty only to those," he

points out. He hopes to touch the 1.25 lakh unit per month mark by September

2002 for these drives.

Partners believe this is a positive step that Samsung has taken towards

curbing parallel imports. Says Vipul Sangani of Mumbai-based Megahertz,

"While the ‘new-look’ drive may not result in big surge in sales, it

would surely help control parallel imports of Samsung drives." Shyam

Bhandari of Pune-based Softbyte remarks, "The fast forward and reverse

buttons are indeed a great value addition to the drive."

GOLDIE