PCWB agrees Alcatel deal
Reseller arm of Dixons makes first move in telephony market
PC World Business (PCWB) has taken its first steps in the telephony market by signing a deal with Alcatel to sell its OmniPCX range.
The reseller arm of the Dixons Group will sell Alcatel's products through its Definitive Buyers' Guide catalogue.
David Gould, trading director at PCWB, said: "This is an extension of our product services range. We've been using the Alcatel telephone systems in-house at PCWB, and we decided to start supplying telephones, Alcatel was an obvious choice."
Alcatel reseller, Amillan, will supply and install the telephone systems on behalf of PCWB, having worked with the Dixons Group for a number of years.
"The OmniPCX range is suitable for our core market - organisations with five to 250 employees," added Gould.
Trevor Evans, SME marketing manager at Alcatel, said: "This shouldn't upset our other partners as this is a completely new route to market for us. It is our smaller system, aimed at SMEs, that has been put in PCWB's catalogue, so it shouldn't affect our existing channel as they sell to a larger market."
Last week the Dixons Group, which is considering changing its name to DSG International, reported an eight per cent fall in pre-tax profit to £336.8m for the year ended 30 April compared to £366.2m in 2004.
PCWB sales grew by 61 per cent to £329m, compared to £205m last year, reflecting a first time contribution from Micro Warehouse, acquired last June for £22m.
"PCWB gross margins improved during the year. There was strong growth in store catalogue and public sector sales. Sales of services, including remote IT management, also performed well," said a company statement.