Apple to put thrust on SOHO, SMB and education

Apple India is working behind scenes to bring about a radical change in its
channel sales. Apple sells through Ingram Micro and Neoteric, apart from selling
directly in India. With a new thrust to target sectors such as SOHO, SMB,
education, home and Unix users, the company plans to entrust specialist
resellers and sales support partners.

The refocus and thrust on sales and target audience comes in the wake the
company´s launch of new products and price slashes on its popular products
worldwide. This strategy of Apple is seen as a move to gain extra marketshare in
the country and register high double digit growth this year.

Along with this, the company at its annual show, MacWorld, announced the
launch of its new browser Safari, a free download, along with the world´s
largest notebook. Called Power Book, this notebooks features a 17" display
screen packaged with a one Ghz processor and a super drive. A 1.4 Ghz dual
processor Power Mac was also launched. Apart from this, Apple, also rolled out
Mac utilities such as the iLife and a new presentation application called
Keynote. iLife is a combination of iMovie, iPhoto, iTunes and iDVD in one
package.

"With programs like service camps and technology seminars we will
strengthen our relationship with our customers and also create awareness among
them," says Deepanshu Sharma, Marketing Manager, Apple India.

Ranjeet Rayen