Among the most recognizable names in the information-technology scene today, Dell Philippines is now making a big play in a market they have previously left untouched: the small to medium business (SMB) segment.

“We are pretty much a new player in this space [SMB market],” said Barry Bunyi, who heads Dell’s entire operations in the Philippines during an interview with the BusinessMirror Thursday.

He added that company’s business was traditionally rooted in large companies and the business process outsourcing sector.

A relative newcomer, Dell only started to specifically target SMBs through its Vostro line of computers in early 2008. The company said they have since made great strides in this sector.

Bunyi said they decided to focus on the SMB market because it represents a large and fast-growing segment. He said that of the total number of Dell notebooks, servers and desktops purchased recently, around 35 percent to 40 percent are bought by SMBs.

He shared that Dell recorded a 70-percent quarter-on-quarter sales growth in the SMB sector.

“There are thousands of companies in this category. I won’t say that we’re late [in targeting the segment] because this sector is growing,” he said.

The Dell executive says his company has natural advantages. Bunyi offered that part of the strategy is to leverage the company’s success in the corporate sector. The company also made sure to partner with Innovista Technologies Inc., one of the country’s largest distributors, in early October.

This brings the number of Dell distributors to two after IronFort Inc. was named in summer and gives the computer company combined access to hundreds of resellers nationwide.

The company also stands to benefit from the Vostro products which, Bunyi said, are competitive in terms of price and features attractive to the SMB segment. The unraveling crisis in the world economy has many experts warning of a slowdown in business activity.

Bunyi said that this is a legitimate concern which is why they have conservative forecasts for 2008.

“The global slowdown will definitely affect everyone. But they [SMBs] will still need to progress their IT requirements,” he said.

He predicts that Dell sales in the SMB market will average between 30-percent and 40-percent growth in 2008.

AN official of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) said Thursday the phone firm needs to consult with its foreign partners in the $550-million Asia-America Gateway (AAG) cable project should there be offers from local carriers seeking access to its cable-landing stations.

SM renames property unit 

THE Henry Sy-led SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) has renamed Shoemart Inc., the main holding firm for SM property-related subsidiaries and projects, as SM Land Inc.

SSS reiterates preemptive right in Philex sale deal

THE Social Security Commission (SSC), the policymaking body of the Social Security System (SSS), is reiterating its preemptive right in Philex Mining Corp. saying the company must follow procedures in disposing its shares to the public.

Dell unit sets sight on small businesses

Among the most recognizable names in the information-technology scene today, Dell Philippines is now making a big play in a market they have previously left untouched: the small to medium business (SMB) segment.

Government should reduce phone tax not impose new ones, Smart says

SMART Communications Inc., the country’s largest mobile phone service provider, on Thursday said the government should find ways to reduce taxes on the use of mobile phones rather than impose new levies. 

GIS demand seen across industries

THE wide adoption of geographic information system (GIS), a multilayered map with descriptive information, is expected by Geodata Systems Technologies Inc. as the need for more complex solutions in operating location intelligence increases.

Not Business as Usual: Brewing storm

There’s talk the Dominicans are talking with University of Santo Tomas (UST) alumnus Ricardo Murillo to take over the day-to-day operation of UST Hospital.