Shadow Ram
Is Spectra returning to IT distribution?
There is an intense talk brewing in channels, Spectra Innovations might be returning to IT distribution.
For those who may not know Spectra, here are a few historical facts: Once a top distributor in the country, Spectra sold its IT distribution business to Singapore-based Electronic Resources, which was later acquired by Ingram Micro in 1998.
There was an agreement between the management of Spectra and Ingram Micro, barring Spectra’s return to IT distribution for a period of 10 years.
Since then, Spectra has been keeping a low profile as far as IT channels are concerned. It mostly focused on electronic component distribution for the past few years and represented vendors like IBM, Micro Electronics, Pulse, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, SanDisk, Pericom Semiconductors, Mitsubishi Semiconductors and National Semiconductor.
Now since the no-compete period with Ingram is over, Spectra is up for a return to mainstream IT
distribution.
“We still do not know what Spectra’s plans are, or how the channels will react to its return. We also need to see which of the top vendors will be keen on association with Spectra,” said an executive at a Mumbai-based distributor on condition of anonymity.
“Without a doubt, Spectra was one of the most respected distribution brands. But they have been away for a long time, and in the 10 years that they were off the market things have changed drastically,” he concluded.
Google Chrome OS: Now or later?
 Rumor has it that Google may make its much awaited operating system, Chrome OS, downloadable from next week.
Earlier, the search engine giant, who is expanding its tentacles into almost everything that Microsoft does, had spoken of H2 2010 as the timeline when users would see Chrome OS into action.
However, the catch here is that Google may open source just the code right now. Even when it is launched, the OS will initially be supported by a limited number of devices only.
So it seems like the competition between Google and Microsoft will heat up in the coming months. |