Ingram says Build Your Own Notebook
New programme aimed at European VARs
Ingram Micro has launched a programme called Build Your Own Notebook (BYON) to help resellers in Europe meet demand for custom-built notebooks in the SME market.
The move follows the firm's appointment as an Intel Mobile Value-Add Distributor (MVAD) in the UK last month, as part of Intel's drive to get resellers building white-book laptops. Microtronica is the only other UK MVAD.
Sven Holleman, director of components Europe at Ingram Micro, said BYON aims to address a change in buying habits, as businesses increasingly replace desktops with notebook PCs. It uses Intel's technology building blocks to help its channel assemble and build white boxes.
Holleman added that Ingram's components business traditionally has been focused on desktops. "The market is shifting from the desktop to the notebook and we want to support SME resellers," he said. "In the past they were afraid to build notebooks because they are trickier than desktops."
David Pye, manager of the distribution division at system builder Centerprise, said demand for custom-built notebooks is growing rapidly. "A lot of this is the result of new networking technology that enables people to work from home. Desktops are still strong but demand for notebooks is growing faster," he said.
But Pye added that smaller system builders are struggling to compete. "There is not much margin so smaller builders are not building businesses on custom-built notebooks," he said.