Technology distributor Ingram Micro is creating a unit
to focus on delivering PC components to "white-box" system builders
in the US.
The unit will help system builders quickly roll out PCs by
offering cheap components, technical support and prompt delivery of
supplies.
Components from Intel, Advanced Micro Devices, Seagate
Technology Hitachi, Maxtor and Western Digital, among others, will
be available to Ingram Micro customers.
White boxes are PCs assembled by local resellers or distributors
and sold without a major brand name, primarily to small businesses.
Individually, the white-box system suppliers make and sell a small
number of PCs, but collectively they represent the largest
percentage - around 37% - of PCs sold each year in the US,
according to Gartner and IDC. Worldwide, more than half of all PCs
sold are white boxes, both companies said.
Previously, components for both unbranded systems and large
brands were handled by the same purchasing and marketing
departments at Ingram Micro, but the new business unit will have
its own purchasing and sales departments devoted to unbranded
system vendors.
The company operates similar business units in Europe and Asia
for white-box customers, and is starting to develop a white-box
organisation in Canada.
System suppliers will be eligible for technical support and
marketing assistance if they commit to purchasing a certain number
of components from Ingram Micro.
Tom Krazit writes for IDG News
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