Compass expects to do more business

Eastern India's share in the national IT hardware market has increased from 8 per cent to 12 per cent and is valued at approximately Rs 1000 crore and this IT resurgence in the east is reflected Computer Association of Eastern India's (CAEI) Compass 2005, Narendra Dhanuka, president of Compass, said.

The largest IT exposition in eastern India, Compass expects to double its business queries from Rs 200 crore in 2004 to Rs300-Rs400 crore in 2005 with a business generation rate of 10-15 per cent.

It expects spot sales at the exhibition worth Rs 30 crore.

The association has 280 members.

Compass 2005 has 100 participants with over 370 stalls from companies like Microsoft, HP, Intel, Sony, Tally, Samsung Electronic Co Ltd., Wipro, Philips, Acer, Epson, etc. spread over 22,000 sq metre.

CAEI expects the exposition to attract small and medium sized businesses seeking to cope with VAT.

Prices of IT devices like PCs and notebooks have come down and this is bound to generate excitement and add to footfalls.

Compass 2005 would also witness the launch of new products like Isyn PCs and TALLY 7.2 VAT enabled software.

"The IT department of the government of West Bengal has given us all possible cooperation to ensure smooth organisation of the event," Dhanuka said.

Compass has been adjudged the best channel association in the country by CRN magazine.

Besides enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and expanding business opportunity for the IT industry in the east through a range of specialised services and global linkages, Compass plans to focus especially on small businesses and creating awareness amongst non-privileged people.