SMC scanning major growth areas for building a larger presence

Tell us something about your company and the product line?

Edge-Core Networks has two brand units under its wings: Edge-core and SMC Networks. While Edge-Core focusses on Enterprise and ISP, SMC Networks has been a leading provider of networking solutions for the SMBs and the SOHO, with over 30 years' experience to work in every product and solution that the Company manufactures. It deals in product lines like SOHO Wireless/Broadband Routers/Gateways/Ethernet Switch. 

Founded in 1971, SMC Networks entered the Indian market 15 years ago and has leveraged strong industry relationships in combination with experienced and talented in-house design and engineering. SMC continues to bring to market a host of affordable, high-performance, easy-to- use product line, thus accelerating its footprint in the Indian networking market. 

How do you define your Surveillance and Networking business?

From the security point of view of any business, it is very important for any company to maintain the state-of-the-art surveillance technique. This not only helps the company in keeping a check over its day-to-day affairs but can also help to maintain the confidential record happenings. SMC has rightly tapped this need and introduced a highly sophisticated range of products like SMCWIPCFN-G2 and SMCWIPCAM-PZ. SMCWIPCAM-PZ can be connected and viewed through wired or wireless (up to 54Mbps) connections and can be monitored remotely from anywhere through Internet Explorer 6.0. It has features like Night Vision with Infrared, 3GPP video streaming support, 2-way audio, Motion Detection, Event Notification and many others. To cater to the Networking business, SMC already has an established market of routers which cater to all kinds of markets like SMB, SOHO and Enterprise.

How is your Broadband business doing?

The growth in Broadband business has been steady. Wi-Fi has now become a necessity in all walks of life. We are looking for a 10–15% growth every year. SMC has introduced innovative 3G router product line which includes 3-4 state-of-the-art products. Also, with the intention to penetrate the Indian market, SMC is investing in the R&D sector for future applications and is coming up with more novel and value-for-money products. 

India being a high-growth market in the IT and Telecom space, what is your road map for the country?

Ever since we started with our operations in India, we have been the pioneer in bringing technically proficient, well-poised networking products to the Indian customers and all these coupled together have enabled the company to gain an enviable position in the market. With 3G and WLAN becoming more mainstream in India, their demand is expected to burgeon for many years to come. Thus, SMC plans to aggressively woo the Indian IT and Telecom market by creating SMC as a “Brand of first choice” and coming out with more and more application-based products, apart from their existing product portfolio. These will specifically cater to the ISP, IT and Telecom market.

In view of the existing competition from your competitors, how are you addressing the market?

SMC is well poised to present its complete range of technically proficient networking products in today's digital age, where connectivity has become a necessity. With a strong support team consisting of a technical team, RMA support, pre-sales team based in Mumbai, SMC is expected to penetrate deeper and wider in the market with its channel partners.

To be one step ahead in the competition, SMC has also extended the 3G router family by introducing innovative product line which includes SMCWBR14S-3GN, SMCWBR14-3GN and SMCWBR11S-3GN, with features like Multispeed Broadband Router, High Speed Internet Connection, a user-friendly web-based management interface and Robust Security. We extensively undertake training programmes so that the channels are made aware of the new strategies and also if we are targeting the launch of new products, if any. Since SMC Networks has its presence only through channel partners, we try to trap as many distributors as we can to make a strong network grid across India. In order to position ourselves uniquely from the competitors, we organize seminars and get-togethers on a large scale frequently. Very soon, we are planning to implement money-back guarantee programmes.

Can you throw some light on SMC’s vision for the LFR segment?

SMC has many products which cater to the LFR segment. We have launched an innovative 3G product line including 3G routers and Broadband routers which are largely connected to the LFR segment. Products like wireless broadband routers, ADSL, 3G products, Wireless Adapter also hugely cater to the LFR segment. LFRs have been carrying SMC all across India. As LFRs are observed as a growing trend in India, SMC would like to increase its brand awareness and make its presence felt largely through them.

For more contact:
samrita@varindia.com