HP is top dog in Euro PC market

Vendor leads the way in business reseller channel for 2003

Hewlett Packard (HP) has come up trumps in both the PC and server markets with European resellers.

According to the latest research from Context, HP remains the top-selling PC vendor in Europe's business reseller channel for 2003, accounting for 40 per cent of all channel sales in the seven key countries: the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands.

On the server front, HP increased its share of Europe's business reseller PC server sales in 2003 to command the lion's share at 63.9 per cent for the fourth quarter 2003.

In PCs, HP's 40 per cent share for 2003 was down from 2002's 44 per cent but still a long way ahead of second-place Fujitsu Siemens, which managed 12 per cent, up from 10.5 per cent in 2002.

IBM held on to third place with 9.3 per cent, thanks largely to its successful SME drive.

The fastest mover of all proved to be Acer, which grew by two per cent to 8.1 per cent, taking fourth place from Toshiba.

"It's not surprising that HP is the number one in both PCs and servers. Ever since the HP/Compaq merger it has been the force in the channel," said Jeremy Davies, senior partner at Context.

"What will be interesting to watch is what goes on below HP, as those in lower places battle it out for second place.

"No one in the channel likes to have just one supplier, so the battle is on to see who will come in second place.

"Acer has done a stunning job over the past year. One of the secrets of its success is that it is very easy to do business with.

"This proved especially important last year when you look at the difficulties HP had with its PartnerOne channel programme. Acer did well because it delivered exactly what it promised its partners."

John Turner, business manager at Midwich, agreed that Acer has proved to be a popular vendor in 2003.

"Acer's continuation of supply has been crucial. We have recorded well over 100 per cent growth year-on-year with Acer products, particularly with notebooks and LCD displays," he said.

"Acer is now focusing on growing its server and PC business this year, so we have just taken on more staff to focus on that side of things."