Credible Connoi

Bangalore-based Connoisseur Computers started as an OEM. But over a period of

time, it established Connoi as one of the most popular brands in the South

Indian market. By entering the notebook and slimtop market last year, Connoi was

able to command a good brand recall. And with a broader product offering, it

also headed strongly to explore the market potential in the OEM and government

sectors.

GOING GREAT GUNS



Connoi as a brand also gained reputation because of its efficient after-sales
support strategies. This clearly showed in the 25 percent growth that

Connoisseur Computers recorded in its service business. And despite a slump in

demand, it clocked Rs 14 crore in revenues and is targeting Rs 25 crore for the

fiscal 2002-03.

 Last year also saw Connoi making an overseas presence by investing Rs

0.5 crore in Mauritius and it intends expanding to other African countries.

According to Harish Kumar, Director, Connoisseur Computers, "African market

poses a huge requirement for IT hardware and services and we see a good business

proposition in addressing that market." The company also plans to venture

into eastern countries by the end of this year. 

Harish Kumar consistently provides affordable and high quality PCs, servers and services
Milestones
	Achieved 25 percent revenue growth in service businessÂ
	Ventured into the competitive notebook and slimtop marketsÂ
	Acquired ISO 9002 certificate for manufacturing and service

In its bid to boost sales and market penetration, the company organized

roadshows and offered channel incentive schemes. Keeping in line with this

strategy, the company added four new mobile channel partners (partners not

restricted to regional operation) to promote Connoi’s range of notebooks and

slimtop PCs across the country. Recently, Connoi was also certified as Mobile

Channel Leaders by Intel. According to Harish, this certification has helped

Connoi to handle importing processes of IT products more effectively.

THE SUCCESS ROADMAP



Next to follow in company’s path of success was the contract manufacturing

business. And it was in this context that a division under the name

´Connoisseur Electronics Private Limited´ was launched. Now the onus was on

Connoisseur to successfully deliver quality PCs and servers to the clients while

meeting the deadlines given.

This also included the task of maintaining sufficient inventory of products

that have gone outdated during the course of such transactions, so that the

client does not suffer while providing support nine months after the sale of the

PC. 

Offering reasons behind this initiative Harish says, "The concept was

clear as the SMBs can not invest in inventory, manufacturing facility and

constant technical training for their staff as is normally required in the IT

industry. All they needed to do was to market their PCs or servers under their

own brand and bag the orders based on the most competitive prices offered to

them."

Connoiseur also conducted frequent training sessions for the field support

engineers of their clients to keep them technically aware of the latest trends

in the IT arena. "Our mission is to consistently provide affordable, high

quality PCs, servers, communication devices and services," remarks Harish.