Intel furthers focus on motherboards

Intel is looking at growing its motherboard market share in India over the

next few months. The growth strategy will include schemes and promotions

targeted at resellers and also the launch of new products to create a pull in

the market. It is under this initiative that Intel has announced the launch of

Mega Golden Batsman for its channel. All genuine Intel dealers (GIDs) are

eligible to participate in the program and will earn points on the sale of

different variants of motherboards. The country hasbeen divided into three tiers

depending on the market potential.

Tier 1 includes Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, tier 2 will include Bangalore,

Pune, Kolkata and Hyderabad, while the rest of the country forms tier 3. A

differential point scheme has been adopted to ensure that the GIDs from lower

potential markets are not at a disadvantage.

GIDs earning at least 100 points will be eligible for a lucky draw that can

fetch them gold as the big prize. All GIDs scoring 800 points or more will be

eligible for a draw with one kg gold as the bumper prize. GIDs scoring 100 to

399 points will be eligible for a 250 gm gold lucky draw. And the GIDs scoring

400 to 799 points will enter the 500gm lucky draw.

Intel also will announce the launch of its 845G and 845GL chipset-based

motherboards for the Indian market soon. These will be the first integrated

graphic chipset for the Pentium 4 processors. Says Jeffrey S Klaus, Product

Marketing Engineer, Marketing Programs and Communication, Intel Corporation,

"The motherboards will come with a number of utilities to enhance the value

proposition for the customer."

With the Indian market occupying a top priority position in the Intel

gameplan, Intel is aggressively exploring options to cater to the price

sensitive needs of the market. A part of the motherboard production has been

shifted to China from Malaysia and the US to keep costs low.

DQCI NEWS BUREAU, NEW DELHI