Hitachi rolls out privilege programme for hard disk drive partners in India

New Delhi: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST) has rolled out a 'Partners Privilege' programme in India,  aimed at strengthening its channel partner network and capturing the rapidly expanding market opportunity across the country.

The India roll out of the programme comes close on the heels of successes of similar programs in China and Taiwan in 2007.

Under the Hitachi Partners Privilege (HPP) program, Hitachi GST's partners in India including resellers, system integrators, system builders and retailers can earn points and redeem gifts by selling the entire product line of Hitachi GST desktop hard disk drive products. Additional special quarterly promotions will also be available, such as mobile hard drive products that will be available in the second quarter of this year.

According to Robert Chu, vice president for the Asia Pacific region for Hitachi GST, ''India is one of the key strategic markets with huge market potential for Hitachi GST in Asia and we have a substantial channel base established here. By rolling out the HPP program, not only can we reward our partners and recognize their efforts, but also together explore and identify more business opportunities, tap fast-growing markets and thus enhance hard disk drive sales across India.''

The hard disk drive market in India has grown rapidly, riding the wave of growth in the desktop market, which according to IDC, grew by almost 11 per cent in terms of volume to reached 4.5 million in unit shipments during the last fiscal year. Personal computer shipments rose by 20 per cent in 2007, and are projected to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 20per cent over the next five years.

The company's channel partners are optimistic about the programme. Says Malhar Shah of Arihant Systems, ''Hitachi's Partners Privilege program is a great initiative to help channel partners like us to tap India's rapid growing PC market.'' Ramesh Purohit of Omshakti Computers added, ''Through the HPP program we can maximize many other market opportunities.''

HPP members, who join by invitation from Hitachi GST, can earn points and redeem gifts upon selling eligible Hitachi GST hard disk drive products. Hitachi GST has set up a system to facilitate earning and redemption process for points, whereby sales data will be collected from HPP members periodically. Members can then redeem incentives of their choice, including a wide selection of latest lifestyle and technology devices.