ANTenna Blog -- Hardware & Software

ChannelWeb reports that the Korean consumer electronics powerhouse is planning new PCs and laptops along with a move into commerical IT services. The company could be an important new option for SMBs, and the competition could help keep prices down.

ChannelWeb's Steven Burke quotes Doug Albregts, new Samsung vice president of sales and marketing claiming that "Our goal is to really set our sights on Dell, HP and Lenovo." One way, Burke reports, is through a series of major promotions in the next few months.

"The first evidence of Samsung's expanded commercial offerings will come in the next 60 to 90 days with new technology services products that can be delivered by partners or sold as offerings that will be delivered by a third party."

and

"Albregts said Samsung's plan is to allow partners to deliver a customized set of on-site commercial services, including advanced Microsoft Exchange support."

As a giant consumer electronics retailer, Samsung sells a full range of products, from mobile phones to PCs and printers, and now including IT services. Unlike HP and Dell, though, Samsung won't sell direct to SMBs, but only through its partner resellers. "Samsung's 'secret sauce' in the expanded commercial channel effort is a commitment to enhance the customer experience by making significant improvements in the solution provider's ease of doing business with Samsung, Albregts said."

Whatever. That will help get resellers on board, but for the small and midsize companies who actually by the products and services, the proof will be in the quality and pricing of the equipment, not in how well Samsung treats its partners.

On the plus side, a major new vendor committed to the business IT market can only expand competition, leading to more choices and pressure to keep prices affordable -- no matter what vendory you actually buy from.

Hard to argue with that.

More From bMighty:

• Samsung NC10 Netbook
• Easy Scanning, Hard Working: Samsung CLX-6200FX

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