Technology

Memory and Kingston Technologies celebrate 10-year partnership

Memory Technologies, the Authorised Distributor for Kingston in the local ICT industry, celebrated its 10th year as Kingston's partner in Sri Lanka. Starting with a mere 20-30 units of memory sales in 1998, the company has progressed to be a market leader in the local memory and flash market. Today Memtec holds more than 70% market share in its chosen niche, and is the market only exclusive memory supplier.

Commenting on its journey through the last decade the Managing Director of the Company Suresh Wijesinghe said, "In 1998 the market size for memory products leave alone Kingston was very small and it was a huge risk to dedicate ourselves to only one product. At the same time it was an opportunity as not many companies would focus solely on this niche. Because our beginning was somewhat of a modern day "Apple computer" story, being a very small operation we were able to capitalise on this opportunity and have a slow but steady growth.

Phenomenal growth

We stuck to our core values, which was to provide the best product, with the best possible after sales service and to constantly innovate by adding more and more local value addition to the product in terms of service.

This combined with the phenomenal growth of the ICT market has brought us to where we are today, still a small but dynamic company with the faith and trust of all our customers firmly intact.

Q: What was the reason behind the memory market growth?

A: We always had a vision for Kingston in the Sri Lankan market and being personally associated with the Kingston from 1994, I was a true follower of Kingston's principle of building relationships and maintaining the confidence of our customers.

We were also able to build awareness among our customers of the unique selling proposition that Kingston offered; one that upgrading a computer which cost a mere fraction of the cost of buying a new one was a very effective way to improve the performance of a computer.

Many people had to be convinced that computer RAM was a key component which contributed towards system performance, as it was so cost effective to upgrade. It made sense to upgrade as opposed to buying a new one.

On top of this Kingston's flash memory line up has grown in leaps and bounds, today almost everybody carries a USB pen drive. These factors plus our commitment to service has made us the No. 1 choice for our customers.

Primary markets

Q: You refer to your customers being the main reason for the growth of the market, what type of customer do you cater to?

A: "Well, you could say that every type of person who uses a computer ; leave alone own one falls into this category. We cater to four primary markets: Corporate customers, Vendors of Internationally recognised brands, White box manufacturers (A.K.A local computer assemblers) and the consumer market. We have customised solutions to each of these types of customers. Because we are focused as an exclusive supplier of memory we carry only the Kingston brand and have been able to come out with many innovative marketing programs."

Kingston Technology Marketing Director, APAC Region Wei Wei Yin said with the continuous support from Memory Technologies during the past 10 years, Kingston is able to maintain the leading market position in Sri Lanka.

Kingston believes that through the premium customer services and strong channel supports provided by Memory Technologies Kingston's brand awareness will continue to flourish.

Moving forward, Kingston will work closely with our valued partner, Memory Technologies, to provide premium quality products, better services and localised marketing activities to the end users in Sri Lanka."

Online product

Over the years Memory Technologies has taken over the mantle of being the Authority on computer memory and namely Kingston in the local market. The Memory Technologies Website (www.memory.lk) serves as an online product verification centre where customers can go online and check the authenticity of the Kingston product they buy.

If the product is genuine, no matter where they buy it from, the Memory Technologies Service Centre is there to support the customer on their Kingston product.

Memory Technologies also has a popular loyalty card concept for consumers and special programs for students so that the future generation can build a positive experience through using Kingston products for their educational needs.

Many more loyalty schemes and customer centric offers and support programs are on the drawing board and will be unveiled as part of the 10th year anniversary celebrations.

HP launches desktop PCs and Notebooks

Hewlett-Packard (HP) introduced a range of desktop PCs and Notebooks to the Sri Lankan market which includes the HP dc 7900 business desktop PC and HP EliteBook 6930p Notebook PC.

The HP dc7900 Business Desktop PC, engineered for the specific needs of businesses includes improved power saving technologies that helps to reduce operating costs as well as a company's impact on the environment.

It is a top-of-the-range desktop PC delivering security, stability and manageability to meet the demanding business environment and comes in three form factors; the Ultra-Slim Desktop (USDT), the Small Form Factor (SFF) and the Convertible Minitower (CMT). Improved power-saving capabilities in the HP dc7900, such as new processors; optional 85 per cent efficient power supplies; and data drives and power management solutions that support lower energy usage, lowers operating costs and minimises the environmental impact of running a business.

Virtusa sets up IT lab for destitute children

Virtusa Corporation set up an IT laboratory for the children of the Child Protection Society Boys' Home, Maharagama as a CSR initiative.

The project included a donation of IT related books, furniture, financial assistance and training in computer literacy. The company launched the Train the Trainer (TOT) program to enhance IT skills of laboratory administrators.

Vice President, Virtusa Corporation, Shanil Fernando said the company initiated the program to provide an opportunity recognising the talents and potential of the children to develop their skills in the IT sector.

The Child Protection Society will celebrate its 80th year of service this year making it one of the oldest welfare institutions in the country. The Society runs two homes each consisting of around 30 children between 5-18.

The Society was founded by Sir P. J. Parsons and Lady Parsons in 1928 and was recognised as an institution devoted to the protection and development of destitute children.

The institution received support from Sir Andrew Caldecot, Sir Mack Mason Moore and some of Sri Lanka's Governor Generals, Sir Oliver Goonetilleke and Sir William Gopallawa.

In recent years the organisation has been steered by Justice O. S. M. Seneviratne and its Secretary, Justice Walter Laduwahetty. The Society's vision is to provide a happy, healthy and safe childhood to children who are victims of the vicious circle of society.

Virtusa, a global IT services company was set up in Massachusetts in 1996. The company provides IT consulting, technology implementation and application outsourcing services. LF

E-WIS steps ahead at HP Drums Up 2008

Acquiring the Premier Business Partner of the year 2007/2008 - PSG (Personal Systems Group) award for the fourth consecutive year, E-WIS proved its service excellence yet again, at the HP (Hewlett Packard) Business Partner Forum 2008.

This was awarded in recognition of the outstanding performance of E-WIS by achieving year-on-year revenue growth of over 30% towards HP PSG, significant contribution to HP PSG business with over 40% revenue, penetration to key customer accounts and its exceptional performance in the public sector.

The awards ceremony took place during the Business Partner forum at 'HP Drums Up 2008' at Amaya Hills, Kandy, recently under the patronage of Tian-Chong Ng, Vice President of Personal Systems Group, South Asia and Taiwan, Ms. Nargaret Ong, Vice President South East Asia Imaging and Printing, Steven Kim, General Manager, Technology Solutions Group Asia Emerging Countries and officials from HP Sri Lanka.