19th 2009 THURSDAY MARCH N • LONDON TO G N SI EN K • L TE O ROYAL GARDEN H
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FINALISTS
CONTENTS The lowdown on the companies battling it out for a PC Retail Award this year....
AMD is delighted to once again sponsor the PC Retail Awards. Following our involvement in the event last year – and the success of the inaugural awards – we had no hesitation in signing up once again, this time as Platinum Sponsor. The PC Retail Awards are all about recognising excellence in the computing and IT channel across all sectors of the market – from the smallest retailer or reseller to the largest vendor. And at AMD, we fully believe that celebrating the vibrancy in our market is essential, particularly at a time when the media would often have us believe in nothing more than doom and gloom. As last year’s event proved, the awards event is not only an important means of recognising our market’s star performers, but the evening also creates the perfect opportunity to network with key industry players. We look forward to another rewarding evening on March 19th. See you there. Richard Baker, European Channel Marketing Director, AMD
FRONTLINE AWARDS High Street Independent ........................Page 5 High Street Multiple..................................Page 6 Online Retailer..........................................Page 6 Value Added Reseller..............................Page 7 Best Technical Support ............................Page 7
DISTRIBUTION AWARDS Sales Team: Home ...................................Page 9 Sales Team: Business ..............................Page 10 Sales Innovation .....................................Page 10 Marketing & PR Team ............................Page 11 Specialist Distributor...............................Page 11
VENDOR AWARDS Sales Team: Home .................................Page 13 Sales Team: Business ..............................Page 14 Marketing/PR Team: Home...................Page 14
PC RETAIL AWARDS 2009 Thursday March 19th, Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London
Marketing/PR Team: Business ...............Page 16 Specialist Vendor ...................................Page 16
TICKETS: £175 plus VAT per seat, £1,750 plus VAT per table
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS
For details of ticket and table sales and a range of excellent promotional possibilities, contact Katie.Rawlings@intentmedia.co.uk
Grand Prix ...............................................Page 18 Industry Achievement ...........................Page 18
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PC RETAIL AWARDS 2009 | 03
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FRONTLINE FINALISTS HIGH STREET INDEPENDENT • HIGH STREET MULTIPLE ONLINE RETAILER • VALUE ADDED RESELLER BEST TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Frontline Category Sponsor
FRONTLINE The Frontline Awards will once again recognise excellence in customerfacing organisations, be they on the High Street, the internet or dealing with businesses. The winners of these awards will be those organisations that have best represented the UK technology industry to the outside world.
LAST YEAR’S FRONTLINE WINNERS WERE HIGH STREET INDEPENDENT YOYOTECH HIGH STREET MULTIPLE JOHN LEWIS ONLINE RETAILER OVERCLOCKERS.CO.UK VALUE ADDED RESELLER STONE COMPUTERS BEST TECHNICAL SUPPORT FORUM COMPUTERS
HIGH STREET INDEPENDENT
NOVATECH COMPUTER STORE
UTOPIA COMPUTERS
Founded 21 years ago, Novatech prides itself on offering the latest IT products, often being among the first to bring products to market, as well as providing great technical support and customer service. The firm is constantly expanding, with a significant presence along the south coast. It has become one of the UK’s leading system builders.
Utopia received many nominations, and was praised for its efficiency, professionalism and knowledge. A family-run firm, the original founder’s son Craig Hume continues to improve the business 15 years after its creation, maintaining the loyal customer base that has developed in that time and seen the rise and fall of potential rival stores.
YOUR STORE YOUR TEAM YOUR AWARDS
YOYOTECH Winner of last year’s award, YOYOTech has once again been shortlisted for the quality of its range and services. Since 2008, the company has made a number of improvements, including the addition of support forums to sites such as Driver Heaven and the introduction of a Reserve & Collect scheme, guaranteeing online prices in stores for its customers.
121 COMPUTER SERVICES The largest independent computer retailer in East Anglia, 121 Computer Services boasts of impressive customer service and a massive range of products. Originally a local family business, the company has been running for 10 years, supporting consumers and local businesses. It has now settled into a 7,000 sq ft flagship High Street store.
SHASONIC Trading under the Sony Centre brand, Shasonic has outlets around the country and provides customers with a quality range of home entertainment products in a compact and stylish environment. The retailer often boasts early launch exclusive models, demonstrated in-store by staff trained by manufacturers for product knowledge and customer service. PC RETAIL AWARDS 2009 | 05
FRONTLINE FINALISTS HIGH STREET INDEPENDENT • HIGH STREET MULTIPLE ONLINE RETAILER • VALUE ADDED RESELLER BEST TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Frontline Category Sponsor
HIGH STREET MULTIPLE
ARGOS
COMET
JOHN LEWIS
PC WORLD
TESCO
Part of the Home Retail Group, Argos enjoyed its fair share of successes this year as well as celebrating its 35th birthday. Consumer electronics dominated the business’ sales this year, establishing Argos as one of the top three online retailers in the category and becoming the UK’s second largest retailer for the market.
2008 was literally a diamond year for Comet, marking its 75th year as a retailer. From humble beginning as a local battery service in 1993, the retailer has spread beyond the boundaries of Hull and established itself across the nation with over 250 stores throughout the UK, as well as a formidable online presence.
Shortlisted once more after emerging victorious at last year’s awards, John Lewis has been prospering from its sales of technology and consumer electronics. Enjoying a good Christmas during these turbulent times, including its best ever week of tech sales, the company stated back in April that the PC market has been key to its recent growth.
No longer solely the domain of PCs and related products, PC World continues to provide customers with quality service and a wide range of consumer electronics, facing every challenge an increasingly crowded market can throw at it. To remain at the forefront of retail, PC World is phasing out analogue products as the digital switch-off approaches.
The supermarket began the year well, with a strong push into the PC market highlighted by a new retail deal with Dell. Throughout 2008 Tesco’s financial reports often attributed growth and profit to the electronics and computing sectors, showing the importance this area holds as Tesco increases its share of the PC market.
ONLINE RETAILER
QVCUK.COM
NOVATECH
AMAZON
PLAY.COM
OCUK
QVC’s unique position as both an online retailer and broadcaster grants it some obvious advantages. Showing customers how products work via live demonstrations on TV or streamed through the Internet, gives them a shopping experience unlike any other, and QVC’s multiple retail channels ensure consumers can find what they want easily.
Novatech not only boasts an impressive online presence within the UK, it also ships its products to customers in various countries throughout Europe. The company is constantly improving its website, with last year’s additions including the laptop configuration section and online order store collection service, allowing consumers to order stock for collection at their local store.
One of the world’s leading online retailers, Amazon continues to dominate the etail landscape, offering a wide range of consumer electronics and computing products encompassing both hardware and software. This year, the retailer’s UK business saw the introduction of an MP3 music service and a new 800,000 sq ft fulfilment centre.
Another strong player in the online retail market, Play.com lists over seven million products, including an impressive variety under its electronics and computing categories. As the company endeavours to further refine its customers’ shopping experience, last year saw the introduction of a complete redesign for its website, improving the browsing process and shopping basket system.
Last year’s winner, Overclockers.co.uk remains dedicated to the country’s PC enthusiasts by providing quality, high performance products. The regularly updated news section keeps the community up-to-date with the latest hardware developments and bolsters the team’s reputation for excellent product knowledge and a constantly renewed product range.
06 | PC RETAIL AWARDS 2009
YOUR STORE YOUR TEAM YOUR AWARDS
FRONTLINE FINALISTS HIGH STREET INDEPENDENT • HIGH STREET MULTIPLE ONLINE RETAILER • VALUE ADDED RESELLER BEST TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Frontline Category Sponsor
VALUE ADDED RESELLER
BEAR IT
SOFTCAT
FORM IT
STONE GROUP
KEEN COMPUTERS
Bear IT provides a range of outsource services for small and medium-sized businesses from varying industries, offering everything from IT infrastructure and backup facilities to broadband technology and domain names. The online shop currently features 28,000 products, although this selection is constantly expanding.
Founded in 1993, Softcat offers its clients the best in software licensing, hardware, security and other related IT services. The company achieved a turnover in excess of £100 million in its last financial year, and has been profitable since its creation. Among its 1,500 customers, Softcat caters for small businesses, large enterprises and public sector organisations.
Both a new company and a veteran of 25 years, Form IT Solutions is the new name of Premier Computer Supplies, which underwent a major rebranding last year. While the branding may be new, Form IT still provides the same service to small to medium businesses, as well as dealing with retailers and companies within a range of industries.
The winner of last year’s award, Stone Computers has been focused largely on expansion over the past year, undergoing its second management buyout in three years and acquiring high-end laptop manufacturer Rock during the summer of 2008. This enabled the company to sell directly to consumers, offering quality business and gaming notebooks.
Catering for any companies looking to improve their online presence, Keen Computers offers a friendly and thorough service by assisting companies in setting up their own websites. Everything from hosting to domain names is covered, with all sites and customers supported by Keen’s own servers.
BEST TECHNICAL SUPPORT
POSITIVE COMPUTING Nominated on the strength of customer testimonials, Positive Computing was also a finalist in this category last year – a testament to the company’s quality service. Offering numerous services to its clients, the firm provides data backup and file transfer, firewall and internet security, as well as training on setting up and installing PC systems.
BEAR IT
YOYOTECH
GEEKSONWHEELS
FORUM COMPUTERS
Clients using the services of Bear IT are treated to the full package. The company’s in-house skills are put to use providing customised solutions designed to meet each customer’s needs, with offsite backup facilities dedicated to backing up important data. The company is also preparing to launch an IT training division to improve customer service.
Positioning itself as the computer and accessories business of choice for the PC community, YOYOTech prides itself on its friendly and knowledgeable staff, with nothing short of complete customer satisfaction one of its highest priorities. The company’s website is constantly updated to provide customers with the latest information.
With five years of trading under its belt, GeeksOnWheels proudly claims it has consistently met and often exceeded its customers’ expectations. With the majority of its business earned through recommendations and a number of customer service awards already to its name, the company even attends to its clients at home in addition to online correspondence.
Winners of last year’s award, Forum Computers is still committed to supporting its customers, covering anything from virus removal to wireless network setups. Founded in 2000, the company deals with over 100 PCs in any given week, promising to solve the variety of problems that arise in the best and cheapest way possible.
YOUR STORE YOUR TEAM YOUR AWARDS
PC RETAIL AWARDS 2009 | 07
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DISTRIBUTION FINALISTS SALES TEAM: HOME • SALES TEAM: BUSINESS SALES INNOVATION • MARKETING AND PR TEAM SPECIALIST DISTRIBUTOR
Distribution Category Sponsor
DISTRIBUTION Distributors are a vital cog in the technology channel machine – linking vendors with the people at the frontline: retailers and resellers. The distribution awards are designed to acknowledge the hard work put in by these unsung heroes of the channel. The sales and marketing teams at distributors are a key link between vendors and retailers, without whom the channel would grind to a halt. LAST YEAR’S DISTRIBUTION WINNERS WERE SALES TEAM: HOME VIP SALES TEAM: BUSINESS ENTATECH SALES INNOVATION ENTATECH MARKETING & PR TEAM XMA SPECIALIST DISTRIBUTOR TARGET COMPONENTS
SALES TEAM: HOME
INTERACTIVE IDEAS
VIP
CCI
CENTERPRISE
GEM
Interactive Ideas’ sales team works with retail, etailers, mail order and TV shopping channels to bring to market software and peripherals for the home and home office. Whilst most distributors focus on the ‘tier 1’ vendors, Interactive Ideas has developed a reputation for successfully introducing and managing specialist and emerging companies.
Headed up by sales manager Karen Duffy, VIP’s sales team claims that no one understands the PC components market like they do. The team has 18 years’ experience of providing a flexible and reliable service to its customers, ranging from small independent retailers and e-tailers to major High Street chain.
CCI Distribution was established in 1997 and has since grown to be one of the leading distributors of IT storage, optical and multimedia products in the UK. Capable of fulfilling entire consignment orders or single parcel drop-ships, CCI boasts of being a company that can be trusted no matter what a retailer’s size or requirements.
For the past 25 years, Centerprise International has been recognised as one of the largest and most respected IT providers in the UK. A real British success story, CI has developed a steadfast reputation for delivering large scale IT projects within the corporate, education, government and reseller sectors.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Gem’s strength is in stocking a wide range of retail-boxed products from the largest business, creative and games software vendors in the world. The sales team’s knowledge of this range is vast and they receive in-depth product training on a daily basis to maximise opportunities for their retail and reseller partners.
YOUR STORE YOUR TEAM YOUR AWARDS
PC RETAIL AWARDS 2009 | 09
DISTRIBUTION FINALISTS SALES TEAM: HOME • SALES TEAM: BUSINESS SALES INNOVATION • MARKETING AND PR TEAM SPECIALIST DISTRIBUTOR
Distribution Category Sponsor
SALES TEAM: BUSINESS
ENTATECH
VIP
REALTIME
INGRAM MICRO
C2000
Enta boasts a highly motivated and dedicated sales team, many of whom can draw upon years of specialist experience. Formal internal training takes place regularly, while product managers also attend briefings with all key vendors. Enta also provides a service for its customers to get to know the sales team via its EntaOnline ‘meet the team’ facility.
The VIP sales team (tier one) is headed up by channel development manager Robert Parry who believes that the company’s smaller customer base in this sector allows VIP to provide a greater focus on its partners. The team claims to return a growth of 45 per cent on average, year-on-year, proof that its targeted approach delivers real business benefits.
Realtime Distribution rapidly established itself as a leading distributor for enthusiast products in the UK. Along the way, the company has created key strategic alliances with some of the world’s leading manufacturers. In 2006 Realtime was acquired by the VIP Group, but has since been run independently – allowing it to retain its own corporate identity.
The world’s largest technology distributor has made a point of retaining a personal touch and much of the credit for this must go to its sales team. It is constantly looking for ways in which it can help customers, including creating opportunities for retailers, resellers and vendors though events like its Retail Expo trade show.
C2000 is a large broadliner, but has risen to the challenge of keeping its service relevant and its relationships personal. It has invested heavily in adding value through services such as logistics and prides itself on staying on top of latest product developments. For all of this to be implemented requires a sales team operating at the peak of its abilities.
SALES INNOVATION
TOTAL PDA
ENTATECH
INTERACTIVE IDEAS
GEM
M2M
Total PDA’s position as a leader in the field of PDA and GPS technology has been recognised, with several high profile accolades from the likes of The Sunday Times, Deloitte, and Ernst and Young. Total PDA offers its customers specialist, unbiased advice from fully-trained, staff and claims that what sets it apart from competitors is its reputation for customer service.
Enta’s sales team is innovative in its approach, offering an extensive range of options and incentives for both online and telephone sales. Enta provides direct support and funding for marketing activities, helping resellers to present a more professional proposition and compete against larger competitors on a more level playing field.
Interactive Ideas last year purchased a stake in an Indian outsourcing company, giving it the opportunity to provide additional services in terms of customising software and web 2.0 technology. In addition, the redevelopment of its website will now include an online ordering facility, a quote building area for software licensing, plus a sales and marketing resource.
Gem provides the channel with a great range of added value opportunities. The new identity it unveiled last year demonstrated its commitment to the channel by offering tailored solutions with vendors and a proactive approach to sales. Gem has offers specifically designed for their customers and will also obtain feedback which is passed to the vendor.
Samsung Semiconductor is a key vendor partner, allowing M2M to supply leading DRAM and Flash Memory products. More recently, M2M has established a partnership with Nanya, the number one supplier of DRAM memory in Taiwan. M2M’s portfolio also includes portable media, hard drives, processors, motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, cases and keyboards.
10 | PC RETAIL AWARDS 2009
YOUR STORE YOUR TEAM YOUR AWARDS
DISTRIBUTION FINALISTS SALES TEAM: HOME • SALES TEAM: BUSINESS SALES INNOVATION • MARKETING AND PR TEAM SPECIALIST DISTRIBUTOR
Distribution Category Sponsor
MARKETING & PR TEAM
VIP
INTERACTIVE IDEAS
INGRAM MICRO
GEM CREATIVE
MIDWICH
The VIP marketing team offers a wide range of specialist services, from design and advertising, to PR and web management. The team can tailor individual vendor marketing communications and PR campaigns. The PR team provides support such as copywriting, press releases, media relations and crisis management.
Interactive Ideas has expanded its Retail Guide, with a digital version now available, while its new website offers enhanced online ordering, plus a sales and marketing resource. Interactive Ideas has also retained a PR agency and third party marketing firms, working with its vendors to increase retailer/ reseller numbers and drive enduser awareness.
Ingram Micro claims that it doesn’t see itself simply as a supplier of products or a suppler of services, but as a partner to both retailers/resellers and to its vendors. With this in mind, customer satisfaction is key and this is measured and monitored via the company’s annual customer survey.
Gem Creative supports Gem’s core sales function in marketing and communication to retail partners. It also offers assistance to supply partners and retail customers as a second tier agency to complement their inhouse facilities or third party agencies, offering a design and production solution.
One of the first disties to take AV products to the IT channel, Midwich has also won a number of awards in the field. At the same time, it has extended its reach into home entertainment, digital cameras and camcorders, computing, displays, printing and consumables and peripherals. It remains committed to maintaining a close relationship with resellers.
SPECIALIST DISTRIBUTOR widget TOTAL PDA
MIDWICH
MERONCOURT
WIDGET
TARGET
Total PDA’s position as a leader in the field of PDA and GPS technology has been recognised, with several high profile accolades from the likes of The Sunday Times, Deloitte, and Ernst and Young. Total PDA offers its customers specialist, advice from fully-trained, experienced staff and claims that what sets it apart from competitors is its unrivalled customer service.
Midwich is a leading distributor for Brother, Fujitsu plasma, Kodak, Kyocera, Lexmark, NEC, Oki, Panasonic plasma and projectors, Pioneer commercial and consumer, Philips displays, Sharp, Samsung, Sanyo and Sony. But the company claims that excellent service is not just about quality products and to this end it continues to invest in systems and staff.
Meroncourt was established in 1997 and since then has grown extensively both in terms of its product range and its client base. With a strong pedigree in gaming, it boasts brands such as Roccat, Nova and Everglide, and has latterly branched out into networking with Sitecom and other accessories from the likes of Uniross and Speed-Link.
Widget UK is a specialist distributor of mobile computing equipment, founded in 1987 by technology journalist Mark Needham as a supplier of third party products for Psion handheld computers. It now distributes a focused range of PDA/SmartPhone accessories, satnav, subnotebooks and mobile scanning units to its UK channel partners.
Based in West Yorkshire, Target Components deals directly with the world’s leading IT manufacturers to give its customers an extensive range of quality products and pass on economies of scale through competitive trade pricing. The company’s porfolio covers hardware, peripherals, software, audio-visual, consumables, storage devices and more.
YOUR STORE YOUR TEAM YOUR AWARDS
PC RETAIL AWARDS 2009 | 11
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Good luck to all finalists!
VENDOR FINALISTS SALES TEAM: HOME • SALES TEAM: BUSINESS MARKETING/PR TEAM: HOME MARKETING/PR TEAM: BUSINESS • SPECIALIST VENDOR
Vendor Category Sponsor
VENDOR No technology industry awards event would be complete without rewarding the companies who actually make the kit. While acknowledging the importance and hard work of retailers, resellers and distributors, the PC Retail Awards continue to reward the channelfacing arms of the vendor community.
LAST YEAR’S VENDOR WINNERS WERE SALES TEAM: HOME AVG SALES TEAM: BUSINESS LENOVO MARKETING & PR TEAM: HOME SYMANTEC MARKETING & PR TEAM: BUSINESS AMD SPECIALIST VENDOR ANTEC
SALES TEAM: HOME
HANNSPREE
SAPPHIRE
BULLGUARD
AVG
ACER
Shortlisted for the 2008 PC Retail Awards in this category, Hannspree continues to fare well in the UK, ranking among the top five monitor vendors after its first year of trading. In 2008, the company introduced a new warranty that exceeds the industry standard regulations, showing its innovation in bringing its customers and clients marketleading products.
The number one partner of ATi, Sapphire is a graphics vendor that designs, manufactures and distributes a range of video cards and motherboards, its products spread across every price point. With a significant portion of its staff being former ATi employees, Sapphire knows its products intricately and works with its partner to bring new ones to market first.
One of the fastest growing security brands in the UK, Bullguard has become a true contender since its arrival in 2003. This past year has seen a number of developments, such as a new distribution agreement with Gem and renewed partnerships with the PCA and Brigantia buying group. Q1 2009 will see the launch of Bullguard’s new online portal.
Established in 1991, AVG is recognised by the world as one of the leading distributors of software designed to protect businesses and homes from computer security threats. Having emerged victorious from this category in last year’s PC Retail Awards, the company continues to live up to its slogan: ‘tough on threats, easy on you’.
Another finalist from the 2008 event, Acer is a nominee in no less than three categories this year. In 2008, the company launched a complete range of new consumer products, including the bestselling Aspire One Netbooks and Aspire Gemstone Blue notebooks. Strong sales in this sector established Acer as the number one notebook company in Q3 2008.
YOUR STORE YOUR TEAM YOUR AWARDS
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VENDOR FINALISTS SALES TEAM: HOME • SALES TEAM: BUSINESS MARKETING/PR TEAM: HOME MARKETING/PR TEAM: BUSINESS • SPECIALIST VENDOR
Vendor Category Sponsor
SALES TEAM: BUSINESS
ACER
LENOVO
HP
CANON
MITSUBISHI
Acer has continued to focus on introducing the latest technology while maintaining its own evolutionary approach to design. The company has held events to train resellers to ensure they are able to benefit from the technology available. Last year, Acer doubled its channel partner account managers, enabling better support for channel partners.
Hoping to secure this award after last year’s victory, Lenovo’s ongoing developments have seen the advent of its New Partner Network, a broadband partnership with Vodafone and Ericsson and a deal to support the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team in 2009. The company even designed the Olympic Torch used at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
With its rivals constantly gunning for its industryleading position, HP has worked hard to retain the top spot among PC manufacturers. The company entered the retail sector for the first time in 2008 with the launch of its HP Experience store in South Africa, and has expanded its Partners For Growth initiative to offer better support to small businesses.
While Canon remains proud of its photo heritage, the company also continues to show dedication to computing products, expanding its printer, scanner and copier ranges. In October 2008, the firm was named by Business Week as one of the world’s 100 companies in the publication’s 100 Best Global Brands 2008 study.
Operating in the UK since 1972, electronics vendor Mitsubishi made its first moves into the IT sector last year. Using the experience gained from its success in the AV and education sectors, the company is pushing its range of projectors and displays in order to establish its brands and products and familiar entities in the market.
MARKETING/PR TEAM: HOME
SYMANTEC
KASPERSKY LAB
TOMTOM
INTEL
NVIDIA
Symantec, returning champions for this PC Retail Award, has spent most of its efforts focusing on the future, namely the 2009 editions of its flagship products Norton Internet Security and Norton Anti-Virus. With particular emphasis on assisting its partners, Symantec’s promotions and events have helped to keep the Norton duo at the forefront of computer protection.
As the fastest growing security software vendor in the world, Kapersky has established itself in the UK as the number two vendor and second most popular choice for Internet security. Having added Tesco and Carphone Warehouse to its retail portfolio in 2008, the company’s products are now available in over 1,250 retail outlets around the country.
With marketing and promotion a key part of TomTom’s plans in 2008, the company has achieved consistent store coverage and provided a high-quality training programme for shop floor staff to improve product knowledge. In the last 12 months, TomTom managed to visit over 12,000 stores, training a record number of over 52,000 sales staff.
One of the leading and veteran chipmakers of the industry, Intel is once again shortlisted for this award. Continuing its efforts to usher in new advances in technology, 2008 saw the company explore the possibilities of six-core processors and USB 3. Intel also strengthened its global presence, making its retail debut in China, opening the first of 16 proposed stores.
Despite being dogged by rumours it was leaving the chipset business during 2008, nVidia has retained it position as a world leader in visual computing technologies, continuing to expand its GPU offerings, launching the new GTX 200 series. The company also bolstered its graphics card ranges, such as GeForce and Quadro, which cater for all demographics of PC user.
14 | PC RETAIL AWARDS 2009
YOUR STORE YOUR TEAM YOUR AWARDS
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VENDOR FINALISTS SALES TEAM: HOME • SALES TEAM: BUSINESS MARKETING/PR TEAM: HOME MARKETING/PR TEAM: BUSINESS • SPECIALIST VENDOR
Vendor Category Sponsor
MARKETING/PR TEAM: BUSINESS
COOLER MASTER
ACER
DELL
AMD
MICROSOFT
Cooler Master and its marketing/PR agency Zaboura spent most of 2008 working hard to drive sales for their channel partners, continuing to provide the best in chassis, power supplies and cooling solutions. Forging new distribution agreements with Realtime and A One Distribution, Cooler Master made a significant push in the latter half of the year.
In 2008, Acer set out plans to dethrone its rivals HP and Dell in order to become the top PC manufacturer by 2011. While it works towards this ambition, the company continues to refine its current operations, including the introduction of the Connect partner programme, which enables Acer to support even more resellers and drive business for channel partners.
2008 was a year of promise for Dell, as it pledged to focus on channel partners and launched its Certified Partner Programme in Europe. It also celebrated the first anniversary of its PartnerDirect programme. The company also promised to become more ‘green’, taking the first steps to making its products more energy efficient and cost effective.
Last year’s award winner and this year’s sponsor AMD returns to reclaim its title. The company remains focused on both its customers and innovation, launching a range of new products throughout 2008. AMD closed the gap between itself and its closest rival Intel, while the sale of its digital television chip business allowed the company to focus on PC microprocessors.
While the company has been pouring time and efforts into its Xbox division, Microsoft certainly hasn’t forgotten its PC-based origins. The latest iteration of its operating system, Windows 7, is on everyone’s lips at the moment and its ‘I’m A PC’ ad campaign has kept it in the public eye, dispelling any negative connotations spread by Apple’s own marketing.
SPECIALIST VENDOR
BILLION
MEDEA
ANTEC
KINGSTON
BIG RED
Billion UK is a leading manufacturer of highperformance quality modems and routers, wireless networking devices and security devices, with products designed to suit homes and businesses alike. The company has released a number of new items this year, many of which have been met with glowing reviews and recommendation awards in the press.
Shortlisted for the same award last year, Medea is a major computer consumables distributor, producing high quality laser toners and printer ink and cleaning cartridges. The firm is working with G&G Ninestar to set a new ‘green’ benchmark for inkjet cartridges, creating environmentally friendly product without compromising performance or value.
Antec is the leading global brand for highperformance computer components and accessories. The company provides a range of products designed to meet the needs of the gaming, PC upgrade and do-ityourself markets. Renowned for its range of PC cases, Antec also offers power supplies, LED fans and notebook cooling solutions.
Kingston Technology is a memory product vendor specialising in Flash and DRAM systems, as well as other forms of photo, video and mobile memory. In 2008, the company signed lucrative deals with PC World and Staples, marking Kingston’s first move into retail and strengthening its efforts to become the leading distributor for the memory market.
Also shortlisted in the 2008 PC Retail Awards, Big Red continues to provide serve appliances to customers throughout the UK, largely utilising its own bigredbox technology. These easy to use servers promise feature-rich solutions, low maintenance, and all for the lowest ownership costs. The company’s committed support service adds to Big Red’s value for its customers.
16 | PC RETAIL AWARDS 2009
YOUR STORE YOUR TEAM YOUR AWARDS
CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE FINALISTS The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Technology Retailing Consultancy
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SPECIAL AWARDS GRAND PRIX AWARD LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
GRAND PRIX AWARD One of two special awards, nothing will be revealed about the Grand Prix until the big night itself. It takes an overall view, choosing the company considered to have contributed most to the marketplace over the last 12 months, not only in terms of commercial success, but
also in terms of innovation and energy. The Grand Prix award is decided upon by the PC Retail team, with the winner coming from any of the award categories. It means that the smallest UK independent retailer or reseller has the same opportunity to win as one of the world’s leading vendor brands.
INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD As the name suggests, this is awarded to the individual in the UK computing and IT industry deemed to have made an oustanding contribution to the channel over the past year. Again, it is an award that can be won
by the smallest High Street store or the largest supplier. Nothing is revealed until the evening of the awards, with the winner chosen by the PC Retail team and the PC Retail Awards Platinum Sponsor AMD.
PC RETAIL AWARDS 09: NEED TO KNOW
WHEN: Thursday March 19th WHERE: The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington DRESS CODE: Smart casual, not black tie COST OF TICKETS: £1,750 plus VAT for a table of ten * £175 plus VAT for individual seats TICKET & TABLE INFORMATION: Contact Katie.Rawlings@intentmedia.co.uk MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES: Contact Katie.Rawlings@intentmedia.co.uk
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18 | PC RETAIL AWARDS 2009
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Charity Partner
YOUR STORE YOUR TEAM YOUR AWARDS
Norton from Symantec wishes you all the best at the PC Retail Awards 2009
October 2008 Norton Internet SecurityTM 2009
December 2008 Norton Internet SecurityTM 2009
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