COVID-19 has increased the Value of your Computer

May 31, 2020 News

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By Mike Mohan

The value of computers at homes have escalated significantly across the world since the start of COVID-19. Humans have always been accustomed to socializing and interacting with one another. Home isolation has increased the need to communicate, socialize and satisfy economic needs in new ways. Since computers have become the most effective tool to satisfy these needs in real-time, its value has far exceeded its selling price.

Since the start of this disruption, there has been a rush by the Public and Private sectors worldwide to acquire computers for their employees to work from homes. In addition, developed countries such as the US have begun purchasing laptops in large quantities for home schooling students. With many computer manufacturing facilities simultaneously shutting down their Production Plants to protect their employees, massive PC shortages have occurred. Exponential demands, along with shortages amongst internal parts have further driven up the price across their various supply channels. Therefore, computers have become the most valuable device in the current home space.
Today, as we face the realities of balancing Lives vs. Livelihood, we find that this can only be done with the effective management of big data either available to us or computed by us. It must be done from the safety of our homes with a computer which is the best tool to take charge of our data and decision making. Our data is powerful because it allows us to be results-driven, find out what works under what conditions, and using that information to make resource allocation decisions more effectively and to improve our programmes and organizations.
Because computers are highly interactive and used daily, it often requires technical support for hardware, software, connectivity, virus management, etc. on a regular basis. Therefore, warranty services or Service Contracts are generally encouraged for users based on level of usage – whether consumer or business.
Over the years, Guyanese experienced many one-time transaction dealers who offered up to five years warranty on equipment who thereafter disappeared shortly after sale. Thereafter, customers were often left to suffer the consequences of bad transactions with no support whatsoever. Another common mistake often made by many Institutions is to purchase their equipment directly from overseas US Suppliers. It is important to understand that most US suppliers warranty their products only for US domestic users. Therefore, warranty is lost immediately after purchasing these units that are bought and exported from the USA. A third common mistake is purchasing refurbished or reconditioned systems from unscrupulous vendors who remove the source identity label and resells it as new equipment.
Many new dealers and brokers are expected to start popping up in Guyana to target this market demand and unfortunately many citizens are going to be hurt in the process of acquiring computers through these shady merchants. For first time buyers, the most important consideration is to ensure that the company you are buying from, is credible, and could provide manufacturer’s warranty with their product sales.
Before COVID-19, computers were being challenged by tablets, phablets and Smartphones. Even Smart Televisions were taking a bite from the capabilities of a computer. The justification was to be able to use your device anywhere, anyhow, anytime, on any platform using any operating system. Today, laptop and desktop devices have resumed their dominant role in your home to navigate work responsibilities, academical study, home entertainment, and a host of other content access.
When Government and Corporations purchase its technology equipment from legally established local partners, they are helping to create local employment and boosting the local economy. It also boosts the local Authorized Service Centers for branded technology equipment to earn revenue from International Suppliers for repair services rendered on their brands during warranty period. This adds revenue to the local economy and enhance the cost of ownership for equipment purchased.
While Guyana is poised to become one of the wealthiest countries per capita in the Southern hemisphere due to its small population and massive oil reserves, this COVID-19 disruption has occurred before the country’s first oil revenue receipt. Most Guyanese are still struggling with computer ownership, internet access, or technology skills, and are therefore left behind in this digital divided world. Therefore, more needs to be done through public/private partnership for funding hardware, software, internet, training, and support, to help bridge this human challenge.
STARR COMPUTER Inc. has been operating in Guyana for almost three decades and is an Authorized Distributor and Partner for HP, Lenovo, APC, Epson, Samsung, and many other major brands it resells in Guyana. Most importantly, by leveraging on volume, STARR has been able to bring hardware at affordable pricing level to the Guyanese market while providing constantly free tech seminars for the last 15 years.

 

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