__p It’s that time of year when we embark on an introspection journey, while wistfully looking for a better and more profitable future.
p____p As the year nears its end with a flutter of sorts created by the IBM-Lenovo deal and the more recent Veritas-Symantec merger, the channel is gearing up to face exciting times with more mergers and acquisitions on the horizon.
p____p Newer technologies will be the cornerstone driving the IT industry, as year 2005 promises to be the year of new technologies, and the following years should see greater adoption. As Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Tablet PCs, VoIP, Wi-Fi and others are in the offing, these budding technologies will have a major impact on businesses and markets. Even though quite a buzz was generated with the launch of Wi-Fi hotspots across the nation, coverage from a variety of sources should continue to expand the field of Wi-Fi in 2005.
p____p The year was also witness to the huge quiver raised with the launch of AMD’s Athlon 64, while the entry of Intel’s Celeron D recognized the need to introduce performance-based range of processors. These can be seen as future indicators of an equally good 2005 round the corner.
p____p And as increasing number of US and European marketers are answering the Chinese call, the global garage sale will continue to pick up with added momentum in the coming year. With multinational corporations planning to sell off big-name brands to Chinese companies, the major global reshuffling of assets will see further action as newer deals foster legitimacy to China’s global ambitions.
p____p While US and European companies decide to sell their low-margin PC business to focus on chips, services and other aspects to stay profitable, Chinese firms are waiting to buy global brands to get ready access to marketing and sales arms. The Chinese foray in the PC space should also see a new twist in the global scenario, as tables are likely be be turned in the Japanese and Korean dominated arena.