Products and Markets

The concentration process in the European and German IT markets will continue, resulting in intensified competition. This aggravated competitive situation will be partly compensated by the said market-related developments, such as an increased disposition towards IT outsourcing or higher growth rates in certain submarkets like public clients.

To strengthen the own market position and to meet the growing customer requirements, Bechtle is busy developing and establishing an even better service offer. Moreover, the public clients division and the software license business represent focal points in the corporate development of the Bechtle Group.

The expansion of the range of IT solutions specifically designed for medium-sized companies plays a key role in the IT system house & managed services segment. In view of dwindling budgets, new service and consulting concepts and individual project solutions will contribute to a more efficient customer IT infrastructure and allow Bechtle to develop attractive, growth-oriented business fields. The sales concept of the system houses is greatly supported by the definition of key subjects like security, virtualisation, server & storage, and mobile office communication solutions.

In the future, Bechtle also plans to expand the product and service offer and its market presence through selective acquisitions.

Up-to-date prices and availability information are critical to success

Regardless of the macroeconomic situation, the high innovation rate in the IT industry is unlikely to abate. Bechtle is therefore continuously intensifying its close collaboration with external partners, such as suppliers and manufacturers, in the field of procurement and logistics. Bechtle is endeavouring to present a large number of new products in its Web shops at all times. Currently, about 250 to 300 new products are introduced at Bechtle direct every week. On average, 40 per cent of the prices of the product offer change every day. Thus, keeping prices and availability information up to date is just as critical to success as centralised logistics that makes use of lean processes for optimum efficiency in managing the flow of goods.

In the IT e-commerce segment, the Bechtle Group strives to become the market leader in Europe and plans to further expand its presence by establishing additional Bechtle direct subsidiaries in Europe. For the ARP Datacon brand, the countries in which Bechtle direct is already represented are to be developed first.