ADVANTAGE - How well do brands rate?

Compubase's annual National Survey has found that own-branded products featured prominently in resellers' top three best-selling boxes for the year.

In its analysis of the 1998/9 National Survey results, Compubaseoducts featured prominently in resellers' top three best-selling boxes for the year. looked at the extent to which vendors have penetrated reseller accounts across the UK. The results were measured by scoring the three top selling brands of a wide range of IT and networking products in 3,600 reseller companies. Resellers were asked to name their three best-selling brands, which, in the case of hardware included non-branded products assembled by resellers. The graph below makes interesting reading. More than 45 per cent of resellers said own-brand products came in their top three best-selling brands - a greater number of resellers than for any of the A brands. It is a very clear indication of just how strong the assembly sector is in the UK, although the industry can expect to see big changes during the course of the next 12 months. How soon will it be that the first sub-£200 - or even free - PC with internet access comes onto the market, as in the US or France?Another interesting point about these results is that direct vendor Dell, with three per cent of reseller sites, citing it as one of its top three best-selling brands. A case of the best of both worlds?

PC Dealer Reseller Conferences at Networks Telecom '99

During each day at the Networks Telecom '99 show at the NEC in Birmingham, a comprehensive conference programme has been put in place for resellers.

29 June: Register for the 'Success with convergence - make it happen' conference which demonstrates how the convergence of voice and data can offer many opportunities, from new and expanded markets to higher margins. But how does a reseller sell and support both voice and data? Leading IT/Telecoms suppliers and resellers who have successfully delivered converged systems and are differentiating themselves as voice and data ready for the future give their opinions.

30 June: Join the 'Network documentation - generate profits not paperwork' conference programme. Network documentation represents a rapidly expanding market opportunity for resellers and as IT requirements become more complex, it is increasingly advantageous to be able to see and document every part of existing networks. Be one of the first people to find out the latest research results from Compubase which will identify and analyse networking trends in the indirect channel.

1 July: The internet conference, 'Gold at the end of the e-commerce rainbow' will show how the internet provides a different way of increasing efficiencies in normal business practice. E-business, streaming media, intranets and virtual private networks are all becoming realistic tools with which to do business with.

Case studies and research highlight the issues and opportunities of the internet.

Question Time: Each day will host a panel discussion and question time on each of the three topics - convergence, networking and the internet. Now is the time to submit questions in advance which will be discussed at the conference and recorded for vnunet radio and may appear in a subsequent feature in PC Dealer. Please send your burning questions to Lisa Glover at [email protected].

To see the full programme of each conference, visit www.networkstelecom.com/conference/over.html.

To obtain a application form for a Free place, contact Miller Freeman on 01203 426479.

MEMORY PLUS TRACK DAY

On 3 August, Memory Plus will be holding its second track day in association with PC Dealer. Readers of the magazine are invited to join in the fun and experience the thrill of driving a performance car or motorbike. The track day will be held at Snetterton in Norfolk, a UK race circuit. Special rates of £139 for cars and £99 for motorbikes have been arranged and spectators can attend free of charge and sample the 'on track' experience with a lap in a F1 sidecar.

To register for the event, call the Memory Plus Track Day Booking Line on 01920 870505. Places will be filled on a first come, first served basis.