Buying into 2011 for the channel

Plenty will happen in 2011 around virtualisation, digital signage and tech that improves efficiency, says Warren Lewis

Lewis: Restricted budgets still offer opportunities in 2011

Few industries have escaped the widespread hardening of the financial arteries over the past two years, and that includes the electronics sector. But severe financial constraints have also worked in a positive way and coerced people into thinking more creatively.

In the world of retail, consumer spending has probably reflected the woeful economic environment, as has the business investment made by retailers themselves - they have been through a really tough time. But if they see a proven avenue for improving customer service, creating excitement, enhancing brand values and ultimately boosting sales, they are going to try it.

Until recently, digital signage was only within reach of larger retailer customers - moving posters, huge screens and animated point of sale mechanisms used to be costly. Creative digital signage is a trend that is only going to grow - initially in retail, but also in hospitality and leisure.

Another trend I anticipate for 2011 is a more widespread move towards the virtual desktop. Many organisations have completed their server virtualisation and they're moving to a virtual desktop as the next priority for their overall IT infrastructure.

If your organisation has to have 2,000 PC workstations and your IT budget is being slashed, you have no choice but to consolidate with a virtual desktop or multi-computer network.

Multi-computer networks reduce the number of expensive desktop PCs while retaining the same number of workstations. Today, even basic PCs provide processing power and memory well in excess of the needs of most users. To have these computer powerhouses for simple tasks such as word processing, email and internet access is simply wasteful.

Desktop virtualisation works by sharing the processing power among multiple users who share a single host PC.

Larger organisations and the public sector in particular are always having to work within restricted budgets. By reducing the need for upgrades, maintenance and repair costs, networked solutions have been proven to save significant capex and slash energy costs.

Inevitably, 2011 will see a range of network displays, educational projectors, digital signage solutions, network storage and IT security products introduced that should help businesses stay lean, green and on budget.

Warren Lewis is sales director at LG