Universal Computers diversifies offerings

Siliguri: In a bid to expand its reach in North Bengal and diversify its portfolio across different market verticals, Siliguri-based Universal Computers is now concentrating on building up a strong base in the networking solutions front, besides concentrating on surveillance products.

Speaking about the diversification plans of the company, Debojyoti Gupta, CEO, Universal Computers said, "Already, we are strong in the corporate billing front. 60 percent of the total business is generated by corporate clients. In Siliguri, the market is relatively small and strenuous. Therefore, we are diversifying into the surveillance and networking solutions front."

In the last FY, the company has bagged major deals in government projects in Sikkim, in the surveillance solutions space, linking different departments with IP cameras. In these projects, Universal is deploying Samsung and Axis products primarily.

On the wireless networking front, Universal is mainly focusing on deployments in hotels and government verticals using Cisco and Linksys products. The company has also designed ERP solutions and LAN and domain set-up configurations.

"We are also keen on developing software. Presently, we have developed software primarily for hotel and retail business segments to help them in billing systems and keep track of all purchases and records. It is presently deployed in a government department for testing purposes and I hope it will be cleared by May this year," Gupta said.

Since its inception, Universal has always been concentrating on the computer training front. Recently, the company has renovated its computer education institute, Ucoms Computer Academy, with specialized and structured laboratory facilities meant for training students on hardware, assembling, chip and peripheral repairing and animation.

Last FY, Universal registered a gross turnover of Rs 4.4 crore and for this FY, the company has put up an ambitious revenue target of Rs 7 crore.

Signaling plans for expansion beyond Siliguri, Gupta emphasized, "This year, we will be opening three branch offices in Gangtok (Sikkim), Cooch-Bihar and Malda Town. Operating the entire north Bengal chain has become cumbersome and thus I thinking of opening offices in these areas."

The company is also eying a project in Kolkata and may soon come up with a branch office there.