Date:21/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/21/stories/2005072102100400.htm

Back MS expands sales network

Our Bureau

Mr Mohit Anand

New Delhi , July 20

MICROSOFT Home and Entertainment Division on Wednesday announced the extension of its field sales team to reach out to over 26 cities across the country under its pan Indian initiative `Project Vistaar'.

The company also plans to increase its channel partners from 6,300 to 10,000 by June next year.

"We are rolling out Project Vistaar, increasing our local representatives from 13 in 12 cities to 34 people in 26 cities," Mr Mohit Anand, Manager, Home and Entertainment Division, Microsoft India, said at a conference here.

The company has also launched a special channel pack for its retail partners, aimed at providing them with process-driven marketing support and enabling them to tap new business opportunities.

The expansion will enable Microsoft products to reach as wide as possible, especially in tier II towns, said Mr Anand adding that these towns were witnessing PC sales growth of 60 to 70 per cent.

As per an IMRB survey in January this year, the keyboard and mouse market in India stood at $30 million.

Microsoft, Samsung and Logitech emerged the top three players, with their market share between 16 and 18 per cent each.