Feedback from the frontline
This philosophy was encapsulated when, a few years ago, the directors decided it was time to define what Scan is all about. So they came up with 3XS – specification, service and satisfaction.
While, to some, this might seem a bit corporate and token, Raja insists it has made a real difference in maintaining high standards.
Another important tool in optimising customer satisfaction is, as you would expect of an etailer, the web. ‘Forums, such as the ones we have on HEXUS, are very educational for us and I think vendors like Intel are realising how important interaction with the online community can be and are also increasing their activity in this area,’ says Raja.
We conclude by having a quick chat about new technologies that may drive sales. ‘The move to 45nm process CPUs has caused another wave of upgrades,’ says Raja. ‘Atom opens up new niches and may offer a good way for SIs to differentiate, as does Mini-ITX, which can be as big a deal as you make of it.’
It’s telling that we met Raja in the context of an Intel premier partner event. In its determination to not let AMD get the upper-hand again the way it did a few years ago, Intel seems to be putting a lot more effort into the channel and into getting feedback from the ‘frontline’.
This should be good news for the market on the whole as, through feedback from people like Raja, the Intel will have a much better idea what educated consumers really want and, in principle, will get better at making products to satisfy that demand.
Related reading: Scan manufacturer page
