D-Link targets SMBs with its videophone

D-Link (India) Ltd, a networking equipment firm, today launched its IP Videophone GVC-3000, a standalone device, which the company claimed does not require high bandwidth.

The device, fully designed, developed and manufactured by the company at its Goa facility, uses video compression technology and maximises the image and audio quality within the available bandwidth.

Announcing the launch of the IP Videophone at a press conference here, Jangoo Dalal, managing director, D-Link (India) Ltd said, “This product is the result of two years of research by 15 engineers. It is a milestone not only for us but for the country as it is completely designed, developed and built indigenously by D-Link. It is ideally suited for small businesses and home offices as it provides conferencing facility.”

The IP Videophone is simple to use. It only needs to be plugged into one’s network or broadband connection and is ready to use where there is a minimum bandwidth of 128 kbps. It is likely to be priced between Rs 23,000 and Rs 25,000.

Typically, similar products which are imported cost anywhere between Rs 75,000 and Rs 1 lakh. The company aims to use a multi-channel distribution network to market the product. It has 2,500 resellers and 20-odd distributors apart from its own internal sales force, Dalal said. The company aims to sell around 10,000 units of Videophone by December 2009.

“As the travel cost is increasing every day, CXOs are looking at low-cost devices to communicate with their employees and our product will help them do it in a better way. Our product is ideal for SMBs,” he said.

D-Link also launched simultaneously its mid-range IP Phone — GLV540 which includes many features like the latest wideband codec for superior voice quality.

D-Link, which reported a turnover of Rs 300 crore in 2007-08, is looking at a growth of 20 per cent during the present financial year, Dalal said.