Notebook Solutions For Enterprises

The Market Round-up cover story on notebooks in this issue reports on the
phenomenal growth of 70% witnessed in this product catetgory during 2003-04. One
of the reasons for this growth is that partners have been able to offer wireless
notebook solutions to enterprises bridging the connectivity gap.

The advantages of wireless LANs to enterprises are very obvious. It gives the
employees the freedom to share data, Internet access, e-mail, and every other
network resource from wherever they are within the building without the use of
cables.

Wireless LANs provide employees with freedom to move around an office and yet
have constant access to the corporate network. This results in greater
productivity because impromptu discussions get transformed to working sessions,
data being readily available for analysis and action.

Notebook solutions are becoming popular in the conference rooms of
enterprises where LAN and Internet connectivity take priority. A Wi-Fi access
point with built-in security features when plugged into the network does the job
easily and cost-

effectively.

Physical connections are always a problem in conference rooms filled with
people trying to access the network through limited LAN connections.
Accommodating more people becomes a greater problem. Wireless connectivity
changes all this.

While the latest Centrino and other models come integrated with Wi-Fi, the
older notebooks require the Wi-Fi cards for the connectivity to work. This
offers an opportunity for solution providers to make a good business out of
selling notebook accessories.

Wireless notebooks are bringing to an end the era of cables that were a part
of every office LAN. Enterprises view this development positively because their
rooms are now freed from the cable clutter making space for IP telephony and
video-conferencing equipment.

Next to enterprises, educational institutions have become the biggest buyers
of notebook solutions. With entire campuses going Wi-Fi, notebooks have become
the favourites of students who find them convenient to carry to their lecture
halls, labs and hostel rooms and yet remain connected all the while.

Mobility and connectivity are going to drive the sales of notebooks which
have succeeded in braking the price barrier in recent times. Sensing the market
mood, vendors have adopted the twin strategy of cutting down prices as well
introducing feature-rich new models at attractive prices.

Today notebooks are available with price points to satisfy the entire range
of users. These include the price-conscious limited-use beginners to mobile
professionals and students in management/engineering institutes, and power
users.

With the prices now starting at Rs 40K, notebook solutions ought to find more
and more favor with SMBs as well. And every one knows that SMB is the one
segment where the growth is expected to explode.

Sylvester Lobo

sylvesterl@cmil.com