Stories by Rebecca Munro

Intel chip placed on hold

Shortages are not the only problems plaguing Intel at the moment, with technical problems reported in its 820 and 840 chip sets. Intel confirmed that it had identified some memory problems for the chip sets but only in its server products and only affecting SDRAM.

LibertyOne trumps auction market in Asia

Internet company LibertyOne's online auction strategy has intensified with the announcement that it will extend its licensing arrangement with US auction house uBid into the Asian region.

Tech Pac alleviates Kyocera's regional stress

Printer vendor Kyocera has finally propped up its New South Wales distribution channel with the appointment of Tech Pacific to distribute its range of laser printers.

Avnet embraces channel but sceptics remain

Distributor cum service provider Avnet's Australian and New Zealand operations are set for a shake-up with the adoption of a new corporate structure, the addition of several new line cards and a closer relationship with the channel.

Motherboard market in state of confusion

The motherboard market is set to enter the twilight zone once more as CPU shortages and new releases change the parameters of the market. `There is a lot of confusion and we have to predict what motherboard will take off in the market next,' said Phillip Tran, sales and marketing director of distributor Tech Excel.

Creative changes spark controversy

Sound Blaster vendor Creative Technology is undertaking a massive channel revolution, abandoning its exclusive relationship with local partner Creative Pacific and launching a B2B site for its new distributors. Forsaking its long-distance relationship with Australia from Singapore, the manufacturer has set up local subsidiary Creative Labs in Sydney.

SMEs key to PC market's success

The small business sector will come into its own in the first half of 2000, driving the PC industry as corporate sales lag. According to a report by analyst International Data Corp (IDC) it will be a spike in sales to the SME market as it prepares for the GST that will fuel the 4.7 per cent increase for the PC market, rather than the traditional corporate sector.

MYOB denies direct selling antics

Accounting software firm MYOB has attracted the wrath of some of its resellers after its CEO, Craig Winkler, claimed in ARN's December 1 issue that "we're not doing the Compaq thing and setting up MYOB stores, and we're not direct selling to our existing customers".

Iomega channels resources online

In an attempt to better manage its 9000-strong reseller channel, drive manufacturer Iomega this week launched its reseller Website for the Asia-Pacific.

Kyocera completes Mita rehabilitation with acquisition

Kyocera has managed to crack open the mopier (printer and photocopying) market with the acquisition of embattled photocopy specialist Mita Industrial.

White box assemblers small business saviours (print edition)

White box manufacturers are dominating the Australian PC scene, securing a third of units shipped and a quarter of revenue generated, according to the first ever report on the white box market by analyst International Data Corp (IDC).

Legend more than just a distant memory

Australian memory manufacturer Legend Performance Technology has big plans, despite operating in an internationally competitive industry on the brink of crisis and requiring constant investment.

ACTU gets connected

Internet company Virtual Communities last week finalised one of Australia's largest Internet and PC bundle deals for the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Australian Retirement Fund (ARF). As reported in ARN on November 10, the 2.1 million members of the ACTU and the 400,000 members and 20,000 staff of the ARF will have access to hardware from IBM and Internet access provided by Primus for an initial $60 down payment then $9.50 a week over three-and-a-half years.

Distributor has high ambitions for printer market

Specialist printer distributor CIE Pacific last week announced its appointment as a Kyocera distributor, the latest in a raft of agreements the Siltek group member has signed over the preceding couple of months. CIE will offer Kyocera's entire range of products through its existing 10,000- strong reseller channel. `We have been known for our high-end specialty while Kyocera are more renowned for their low-end offerings. But we wanted to offer complete solutions for printers so we needed to convert our resellers to Kyocera as well,' said Michael Rebiffe, general manager of CIE Pacific.

RentSmart stitches up kiosks

Coles Myer bolstered its e-business commitment last week announcing it will install more in-store kiosks from RentSmart.