New partners for Epson photo printers

Epson India has appointed a new set of retail partners for its newly launched
series of photo printers (which include Epson Stylus Pro 3850 Epson PictureMate
PM210 equipped with the new Epson Claria Photo Lab system). Around 150 of these
'photo' retail partners have been appointed all across India. According to SM
Ramprasad, Manager-Consumer Products, Epson India, “Our photo printers are
targeted at professional photographers and labs, and come equipped with 'claria'
photographic inks. Therefore we have focused on appointing partners who have
been selling photo (camera) accessories and therefore have the technical edge.
Partners appointed for this product are required to do more than box selling.
They need to have a passion to explain to the customer the feature benefits of
the new product.”

Thus far partners have been appointed in the metro and mini metro cities and
Epson would look at B and C class cities at a later date. Epson has already
begun the first level of training for its key partners on the new products and
the next level of training is to begin very soon. As an additional benefit,
photo printers have been included into the channel partner incentive schemes
announced from Epson this year.

“The returns and payoffs from the incentive schemes would get reinvested
into the partner sub-activity,” said Ramprasad while adding, “Focusing on
all-in-ones and stand alone systems this year around, we would continue to bring
out more customer friendly products and focus on growth in the home and small
office segments.”

Among the new products in the pipeline from Epson are the soon to be launched
'Multimedia Storage Viewer'. This devise would help to store data-picture, music
and video as well as view and print the same. A handheld devise, this would be
targeted at customers who are looking to store large data files, especially
pictures and videos. Set for a February launch, this product can be connected to
a printer or PC as and when required. In addition to this product, Epson would
also be ready with all-in-ones, which would come with higher speeds and
additional features by September this year.

“Through our products we are attempting to consolidate on our market
position and we would use our channel partners to help us get there. While one
set of partners would continue to drive our volume products, the other group
would help us in selling our technology and lifestyle products so that we reach
out effectively to our customers,” Ramprasad added.

Subbalakshmi BM