“NETGEAR is All Set to Hit 200 Crores For The First Time in 2018”

Networking market has grown well despite challenges faced by GST and low cost data offerings from telecom players. But vendors remained very much positive and diversified their business in new emerging opportunities. NETGEAR, one of the known networking brands also focused on new opportunities to minimise the impact of challenges they face in year 2018. Marthesh Nagendra, Country Manager, NETGEAR, India & SAARC talks on his overall strategy which helped him achieving encouraging results.

DT: What were the major challenges for your company? How do you fought those challenges?

Mr. Marthesh: Some of the major reforms were implemented in 2017 by the Government of India. Demonetisation & GST had short term impacts and long term benefits. Task was to minimize any impact on the business and increase revenues. We successfully achieved that by focusing extensively on following product lines:

1. NETGEAR ReadyNAS storage solutions: We achieved triple digit growth on NETGEAR Desktop & Rackmount solutions. Internet become very cheap which enabled consumers & SMEs to move towards cloud based solutions.
2. 10G: Employees are bringing increasing numbers of personal devices, such as tablets and smartphones, which require WiFi access. Businesses are also more often using smart devices like door locks, thermostats, badge machines that are Internet connected. All of this drives increased bandwidth, which 10-Gigabit Ethernet provides.
3. Business Wireless: With Insight Managed Smart Cloud Access Points, wireless network discovery, setup, monitoring and management can now be done in the palm of your hand – anytime, anywhere, with NETGEAR Insight app.
4. Home Security: Multiple devices, Cheaper internet requires better Coverage & more security. NETGEAR Orbiwifi systems provides max wifi Coverage and complete parental control for your mobile devices

DT: How GST changed your business affair in year 2017? What were your preparation to adopt this biggest tax reform?  

Mr. Marthesh: May-June 2017 sales were relatively slow as the distributors were hesitant to stock more. Business were as usual from July onwards. SMB/SMEs have started investing more on computerization which spurred the growth. We welcome GST as the movement of Goods across India have become cheaper & it reduces travel time. Distributor are saving on the warehousing cost & Goods reach faster to the consumers.

DT: What's your channel strength currently in India? How do you plan to boost channel strength in year 2018?

Mr. Marthesh: We are directly or indirectly present in 22+ Cities & working closely with 100+ partners in all major cities. NETGEAR has great field strength which helps the partners to design & deploy Networking solutions at the customer premises. NETGEAR is into manufacturing Hi-Tech networking products & it is imperative to train as many partners as possible to ensure that they provide right solutions to the customers. We also have demo centres in selected cities which enables partners to touch, feel & work on our wide range of products. NETGEAR trains & encourage partners to sell high-end stuff which brings them more profits.

DT: What will be major products/solutions you will be launching in year 2018? Which will be your key target verticals / market?

Mr. Marthesh: We will continue to focus on Private/Hybrid Cloud solutions, IP Surveillance, VoIP, Backup, Disaster recovery, BYOD, Wired & Wireless Networks & so on

DT: Please share your current revenue and market growth rate. What is target for year 2018? How do you plan to achieve this set target?

Mr. Marthesh: NETGEAR is all set to hit 200 Crores for the first time in 2018 which is close to 30% Growth YoY.