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About the programme

With lockdowns and social-distancing in full force due to the coronavirus pandemic, digital screens have emerged as our eyes and ears to the world outside. As offices, education, earning and learning shifts inside the home premises, home computers and laptops have emerged as the biggest enablers for the digital empowerment of citizens.
 
What has been the growth in demand for computers, and even accessories such as printers, speakers and headphones during this unprecedented period?
 
Also, is the industry geared up to handle the sudden demand in the face of constraints in the movement of goods and even import of fully-built products and components?
 
Have the companies managed to provide repair services and handle new sales in the face of strict restrictions on mobility?

We speak to some of the country's most-experienced and popular computer companies to understand the challenges of business continuity in times of corona.

Agenda

Panel Discussion with Mr Vickram Bedi, HP; Mr Rahul Agarwal, Lenovo, Mr John Hung, MSI

  • How challenging has it been to continue business in times of coronavirus?

  • How has been the demand for computers in personal and enterprise categories?

  • What has been the upside due to the phenomenon of work-from-home and education from home?

  • Have the restrictions in movement of company personnel impacted your ability to service products and also deliver new devices?

  • Do you feel there is a space for new budget devices to cater to the large low-income category that may have the need to go digital for education and work?

  • Have the restrictions on imports, including from China, impacted your supplies?

  • What is the growth in revenues and profitability that you expect for this year?

  • Gaming has seen a massive growth in times of lockdown. What has been the demand like and how are the  companies managing this spurt from the gaming community?

Q&A with the panel

  • Participant Questions

Experts

Mr Pankaj Doval
Mr Pankaj Doval Senior Editor, The Times of India

Mr Pankaj Doval is a Senior Editor with The Times of India, and leads the coverage and efforts on consumer sectors such as automobiles, telecom and electronics. He also writes extensively on policy matters in areas like telecom, information technology and corporate affairs.

Vickram Bedi
Vickram Bedi Senior Director, Personal System, HP
Vickram Bedi is Senior Director, Personal Systems for HP’s India Market. He heads the company’s personal systems portfolio that includes notebooks, desktops, workstations accessories and other related services. Having been in the industry for more than 22 years, Vickram has worked in country, regional and global roles in India, Asia Pacific and the USA. Vickram holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Computers and a Program Certificate from Berkeley Executive Education. In his spare time, Vickram likes to pursue racket sports, travel, historical fiction and self-realisation.
Rahul Agarwal
Rahul Agarwal MD & CEO, Lenovo India
Rahul Agarwal is the CEO & MD of Lenovo India. Lenovo is the world largest Personal Computer (PC) maker and an emerging leader in the Smart Devices (SD) space. Rahul has 23+ years of professional experience and has held multiple leadership positions across Lenovo/IBM. Prior to his current role, he headed the Commercial Segment for Lenovo India, the largest business for Lenovo India. Before that, he headed Marketing Communications for Lenovo globally and is credited with setting up Lenovo “World Wide Marketing Hub” in Bangalore, supporting 60+ countries. Rahul is passionate about technology and the wide-ranging positive impact it can have on businesses and individuals. He is an active champion of Lenovo’s intelligent transformation and is pioneering the launch of Lenovo’s cutting-edge smart devices in India. Rahul holds a PGDM degree from Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) and holds an undergraduate degree in Business Management from College of Business Studies, Delhi University.
Mr. John Hung
Mr. John Hung Country Head, MSI (Micro-Star International Co. Ltd.). India
John Hung is the Country Head of MSI India where he is spearheading the Indian market along with Middle East & Africa. With over 20+ years of experience in consumer technology, wealth sales and branding, his current role involves leadership and organizational development. He has successfully led MSI’s market growth by deepening the gaming community and making MSI a considerable brand in the country. His areas of expertise include environmental sustainability, strategy and performance improvement. Prior to his current role, he has spent more than 20 years with leading IT companies such as ADI, Gigabyte and Quanta Computer.
Navkendar Singh
Navkendar Singh Research Director, Client Devices & IPDS, IDC India
Navkendar Singh is a Research Director with IDC India, based in Gurgaon. His research domains encompass deep-dive research and insights in and around mobile devices, smart homes, PCs, tablets, wearables, and the printing market in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. He is also involved in building IDC's successful channel research programs for these domains at city and state levels. Navkendar also leads research related to analyzing the role of devices, emerging business engagement models, the impact of emerging technologies on devices, and emerging personas related to Future of Work.

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