Matrix Tele to make hi-tech PBX systems

The Vadodara-based Matrix Telecom Solutions Pvt Ltd, manufacturers of Electronic Private Automated Branch Exchange (EPABX) systems, has ventured into the manufacture of high-tech 100 port plus Private Branch Exchanges (PBX) systems for large companies.

In a market dominated by major players like Tata Teleservices, Seimens, Alcatel and BPL, Matrix is targetting a seven to ten per cent share.

The EAPBX system market in the country, including the huge network market, is valued at around Rs 450 crore. Divided into three categories "" 0 to 50 port category, 50 to 100 port category and 100 port plus category-, Matrix has so far been operational only in the first two categories (0 to 100 port category).

"We are now expanding into the 100 port plus category, which means that we will take on the leaders in the industry like Tata Teleservices, Seimens, Alcatel, BPL and the like," said Sagar Gosalia, head- marketing of Matrix Telecom.

While the first two categories account for around half of the total EAPBX market, the 100 port plus category alone accounts for the other 50 per cent.

"The customer price market in this category is just over Rs 200 crore, but the instruments go through a dealership network. So the primary market of this category is around Rs 100 crore. We are targetting a share of between seven and ten per cent of this market," Gosalia said.

The company has launched four products in the category, Enterprise PBX-KTS (Private Branch Exchange-Key Telephone Exchange), in January. The products are are Cosine, Eternity-4S, Eternity-8S and Eternity-16S.

"Since the cost is about Rs 2,000 per port, these systems cost Rs two lakh upwards. But since the target group is companies which deals in 100 lines or more, the price is affordable," Gosalia said.

Matrix already has 85,000 customers across the country. "We install around 700 lines a day in India, which means that all over the country, around 70 Matrix BPX systems are sold on a daily basis," the marketing head said.

Almost all major companies operating in India use Matrix systems for their telecommunications and other data transfer requirements.

The company ended the previous fiscal with a turnover of Rs 16.7 crore, about 15 per cent higher than previous year's turnover. It has also chalked out ambitious growth plans for the current fiscal, aiming at a 30 per cent growth this fiscal.