Western Region Special: Pune

Computer & Media Dealers Association, Pune

Rajeev Phadtere       

COMPANY: C-Dot Systems

FOUNDED: 1995

BUSINESS AREA: Starting as a PC assembler, C-Dot became an advance business partner for IBM PCs, servers and value added services like Unix-based service and other IBM software. It is also the authorized service provider for the vendor. 3Com, Cisco, AMP and Dlink are few other principals that C-Dot works with to provide its core expertise in the field of networking. It also sells software products from Microsoft, Macromedia and
Autodesk.

STRENGTHS: C-Dot is known for providing turnkey solutions right from cabling, desktops, switching, to servers and software. It has implemented WAN and WiFi connectivity solutions and its USP of providing almost 24x7-like service to its major customers. With a team of 15 qualified employees, C-Dot has over 30 customers in and around
Pune.

WEAKNESSES: The company operates from a small 500 sqaure feet premises, which Rajeev says, will be upgraded in terms of more space and better infrastructure soon. A bigger place has already been identified.

MOTTO: Until now C-Dot has been driven by relationship. It would like to continue its success on relationships at multi
locations.

PLANS: Among C-Dot´s plans are upgrading its own infrastructure and focusing on implementing bigger networking project in educational campuses. It has already done its homework for becoming a ISO9001 by in next one year.

TURNOVER (2003-04): Rs 7 crore

EXPECTED TURNOVER (2004-05): 10 crore

OFFICES: 1

Aniruddha Menavlikar       

COMPANY: Monarch Technologies

FOUNDED: 1989

BUSINESS AREAS: Monarch is a premium business partner for IBM laptops and servers. It also has tie-ups with Cisco (Linksys) for networking products. Storage is another area where Monarch focuses on, with solutions from Exabyte, Qualstar, Procom and HP. It also deals in plotters, printers, and all other IT peripherals.

STRENGTHS: A considerable amount of Monarch´s business comes from AMC. Software development also makes a small part of their business activities. Wireless is another areas where Monarch has achieved enough expertise among the corporate segment. It also sports a team of experts engineers certified by most of its principals, especially IBM.

WEAKNESSES: At times, Monarch faces problems managing people whenever big projects. Most engineers are busy in one project and it has a tough time adjusting engineers for other projects.

MOTTO: To be a technological leader in the IT industry.

PLANS: The company has already started implementing it scheduled plans. They are in the process of expanding and diversifying. As a diversification plan, it has tied up with AirTel as a premium partner. Software development is another areas, which the company wants to enhance its activities.

TURNOVER (2003-04): Rs 7 crore

EXPECTED TURNOVER (2004-05): Rs 10 crore

OFFICES: 2

John Thomas     Â
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COMPANY: Soft-Aid Computers

FOUNDED: 1991

BUSINESS AREAS: Soft-Aid is an IT solutions provider of computer maintenance and software solutions for corporates. It has the largest print-head refurbishing unit in India and operates a walk-in repair center for all local dealers. It also acts as a backend for many OEM services. Soft-Aid also focuses on software products in the field of knowledge management and enterprise security management.

STRENGTHS: Operating with a team of 170 employees, Soft-Aid is an ISO 9001-2000 certified organization and actively working towards CMM level 3. It has provided consultancy for setting up print-head manufacturing units in South Africa, Malaysia and Kenya. It has a office in USA which is used to sources spares for its service activities in India.

WEAKNESSES: Soft-Aid has been facing a problem retaining good employees due to its size. To address this problem John has already implemented a good employees policy in place.

MOTTO: To providing high-quality deliverables through its "Quality Assurance" and "Quality Process" programs.

PLANS: Soft-Aid plans to provide consultancy in setting up print-head business in many other countries.

TURNOVER (2003-04): Rs 4.5 crore

EXPECTED TURNOVER (2004-05): Rs 6.0 crore

OFFICES: 5

Naresh Lalwani      

COMPANY: Cybernet IT

FOUNDED: 1992

BUSINESS AREAS: Cybernet initiated its business with product sales and partnered with top multinational giants like IBM, HP, Microsoft, Novel, Oracle, Acer, Toshiba and Zenith for its products. It is also in the business of providing IT-enabled services and has developed various turnkey projects for corporates, industries and financial institutions.

STRENGTHS: Cybernet is one of the largest laptop distributors for HP in the country. It has also done some major turnkey projects like voters ID cards for the city.

WEAKNESSES: Cybernet has grown in to a very large organization but the employee strength has not increased. The company recently shifting its focus on to BPO business has not helped them grow their AMC and networking business in the last two year.

MOTTO: To provide the latest technology in mobile solutions.

PLANS: Cybernet plans to be one of the biggest distributors for mobile devices for most brands in the near future. It currently has a showroom for HP notebooks, but will soon be opening another for mobile devices of all other brands.

TURNOVER (2003-04): Rs 10 crore

EXPECTED TURNOVER (2004-05): Rs 12.5 crore

OFFICES: 2

CHANNEL SNAPSHOTS: pune

IT Expo is one of the biggest events CMDA conducts for the IT community in
the city. For the last two years, it has been conducting this event as a part of
Pune Expo in association with The Maratha Chamber of Commerce Industries and
Agriculture (MCCIA).

However, from this year onwards, it intends to do the IT Expo entirely on its
own. The reason says Suresh Joshi, President, CMDA, is that IT gets lost in this
mega exhibition. "Lot of untargeted people can be avoided if the exhibition
is done specifically for IT," he adds. The association is currently talking
to several vendors to sponsor and exhibit their products and solutions at this
exhibition.

The association regularly conducts social family events for the overall
development of its members. This year, it conducted outings for trekking and a
family picnic. and now, it is all set to hold a cricket match.

"The AMJ quarter is the only period when you get to spend lot of time
with you family, because of business is not as brisk. This is precisely why we
want to use this to build inter-personal relationships among the channel
partners," adds Suresh.

CMDA also came out with its first newsletter 'Resellers Voice' in June
this year, to update members of the various plans it has on the anvil and also
and inform them about the activities it plans to undertake. According to Suresh,
this newsletter will be published bi-monthly. Few other initiatives like
technical seminars and training will also be conducted at regular intervals.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

PRESIDENT: Suresh Joshi 

VP: Anil Pherwani

SECRETARY: Brijen Shah

JOINT SECRETARY: Satish Taneja

TREASURER: Rajesh Tibrewal

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Kausar Dabiya, Murugesh, Sachin Salunkhe, Sheetal
Nahar, Rajesh Choudhari, Suneel Gugale