Among the IT products and solutions, if something is attracting attention of the users, it is the mobile PCs or notebooks. Though the security industry is growing exponentially, it is a hidden solution and not much understood by the users. HCL Infosystems, one of the largest ICT companies in India, which is known for PCs and Nokia distribution, has, a year back, forayed into the maximum growth potential IT market – mobile PCs. This company is not new to this market as it has been in the distribution of products of Toshiba Notebooks for a long time.

HCL has hit the target point-blank. They have been very focussed and customer-specific. Even they have named their notebook as Leaptop – and not Notebook or Laptop.–HCL Leaptops offer much more value than the normal laptops. “Designed specifically as per the requirements of individuals and professionals, we have a wide range catering to students, professionals, women, Defence, etc.,” says Mr. Rajendra Kumar, Executive Vice-President, HCL Infosystems Ltd.

All HCL notebooks come equipped with value additions like EC2 technology, InfoSecu Access solutions, wireless LAN connectivity (Intel 3945 ABG for “Centrino Duo” series/Intel 2200 BG, 802.11 b/g for “Centrino” series for internet accessibility on the move. In today’s competitive market, what it takes to make a laptop succeed is its true mobile nature with high security and fail-proof features.

With HCL InfoSecuAccess, the users can receive access resources and applications –whenever and wherever they want. They only require a web browser and an Internet connection. It is the most secure platform on the market today because it meets all of the six requirements of secure application access, assess, authenticate, authorize, access, audit, abolish – also known as the six A’s of security. Unlike the traditional VPN clients, which require a client installation, HCL InfoSecuAccess requires no client installation, configuration or maintenance. HCL Info-SecuAccess travels through firewalls, proxies and routers, there are no obstacles for users to overcome in order to get true secure remote access. It ensures that employees and partners have secure and reliable access to internal resources.

Secondly, HCL EC2 technology enables HCL Leaptops to be up and running in less than a minute while on the move. It allows users to create a “snapshot” of the entire system and data at a specific time and then to recover the entire system to the snapshot. Some of the common problems that can be addressed through EC2 for mobile computing device users are:

* Accidental File/Folder deletion or overwrite
* System down at critical moments
* System corruption by viruses, spywares or Trojans
* Accidental formatting of the any of the hard disk partitions
* Corruption of the registry files & folders
* Blue screen errors
* System malfunction after patch updates
* Un-installation of Software and Applications
* System malfunction after installation of new software/application

Operating System Crash because of Virus Attack etc.

If that is not enough, the Leaptops come with HCL Nano Web camera, HCL Tool Kit with portable storage drive, 45 GB DVD Media Power Pack, 1 GB HCL Leapdrive.

On top of it, the products are manufactured in HCL facilities at Rudrapur and Puducherry (Pondicherry) and are tested for extreme Indian conditions.

Mr. Rajendra Kumar adds, “We have used these insights into design of next-generation laptops that offer far advanced features than competing laptops and so we believe that Leaptop is an appropriate name for these notebooks.”

And, the net result of the offer is that” HCL Leaptops for women and frequent fliers have been designed to be ultra-portable and for the defence sector, it is really extra rugged.

Mr. Rajendra Kumar maintains, “Our notebooks have benefited from our R&D facilities and as a result feature unmatched technological innovations. As a result, HCL notebooks are far more suited for use in harsh Indian operating conditions of heat and dust. In addition, HCL notebooks also promise latest mobile computing technology at highly competitive prices. HCL customers also have the advantage of backing on nation’s largest service and support infrastructure, with 360-plus service locations countrywide.”

The icing on the cake has come recently as HCL has announced that all HCL Leaptops will adhere to (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) RoHS directive of European Union. It means the future product of Leaptops will be eco-efficient and environment-friendly. The RoHS directive seeks to restrict the use of hazardous substances in the manufacture of IT and electronic products, which have been deemed harmful for the environment in the long run, after the end of useful life of the products.

Another advantage with HCL Leaptops is its assurance programme and finance option. HCL Leaptops come with the HCL “Best-Assured” seal, which assures customers that only new, original and highest quality parts and components have been used in the manufacture of their HCL Leaptops.

According to Mr. Rajendra Kumar, HCL’s “Best Assured” programme is the result of several cases coming to light, where fake, refurbished or low-quality components have been used in the manufacturing of so-called new PCs. As the IT industry leader, only HCL has taken this initiative to guarantee the quality of components used in its PCs.

Besides, HCL has a very strong record of finance option for the consumers for the PCs. Now, the same has been extended to its Leaptops. Available at Rs.699 EMI, one can have a Leaptop from HCL. So, you do not have to worry about hard cash to buy a notebook.

One may wonder how a company can trade in the same line of products of various brands. To make it clear, Toshiba is being traded by the distribution arm of HCL, whereas HCL Laptops are its own products and have separate marketing programmes and activities. Rajendra Kumar adds,

“There is a great synergy between the two lines of products, which provides greater choice for customers at varied price points. The guiding factor behind the launch of HCL Leaptops is the increase in notebook PC penetration in the country. We hope to do this by offering a world-class notebook PC at value-for-money pricing.”

From the sales perspective, HCL Leaptops are poised upon strong shoulders of its 3,500-strong dealer network. The company follows two-fold strategy to market and sell the products, including Direct Selling Approach (HCL has segmented the market into three categories, which are Government, Education, and medium enterprises.) and Retail Centric Partner Approach (Targeting pure consumers, small offices and small businesses. HCL’s existing distribution model will be leveraged for this purpose.)

Apart from strong R&D capability, HCL banks upon its state-of-the-art manufacturing units at Rudrapur and Puducherry (Pondicherry). Both the units account for a productivity of two million PCs per annum, which include Leaptops as well. Both the facilities comply with ISO 9001 and 14001 standards and features world-class IT manufacturing capabilities.

Finally…
HCL notebooks have been a runaway success in the last quarter, offering features like the latest configurations, value-for-money pricing, a wide range and best after-sales service across the country. According to Mr. Rajendra Kumar, the company intends to reach out to every market segment and see tremendous growth opportunities for Leaptops.

Leaptop profile

HCL Leaptops for ProfessionalsThis series comes with preinstalled applications for various professional segments; for example there has been specified applications for doctors, engineers in the Leaptops. In the entire consumer segment Leaptops, the company provides a free Reliance net – connect card. Besides, it comes with DVD – RAM and WxGA/VPT (Wide Screen /View Perfect Technology).

Frequent Flier / Ultra portable segmentSize and weight are the two most critical factors in choosing a new notebook-even if it means sacrificing a little on performance and features. The smallest and lightest notebooks, ultra portables, weigh less than 1.8 Kg and are no thicker than a spiral-bound notebook.

Student / Economy segmentAn Economical Leaptop that delivers the most. In particular, students need a notebook that is small and light enough to carry across campus but rugged enough to withstand bouncing around in a backpack.

Power User / Value segmentIf you demand more from a notebook, you’ll need a true desktop replacement. Whether you’re designing a Web site, editing home movies, or mowing down ‘Aliens’, your notebook will demand a powerful processor, plenty of memory, great graphics and a healthy hard drive.’

Defence etc. / Ruggedised SegmentHCL Ruggedised Leaptops - For non-favorable climatic & environmental conditions / for tough & rugged environment.