As the portable PC market segment grows quickly over this and the next few years, SIs (system integrators) and VARs (value-added resellers) who are not offering this solution to their customers today are already falling behind the curve. There is already significant evidence that mobility and portability will fuel the growth of the PC industry for the foreseeable future. Part of that growth will include an increasing role for whitebooks.

There used to have some issues with the whitebook offerings available. Memory, hard drives and other components essential to make whitebooks were in short supply and too costly. Barebones systems, if SIs and VARs could find them, were of substandard quality and spare parts were difficult to find.

Today, that situation surrounding white books, especially when it comes to component quality and compatibility, configurations and selling strategies, is evaporating.

Greater confidence

In one market survey recently conducted by Computer Reseller News US, the result indicated that resellers are more confident about white books now than they have been in the past. Many of the issues that kept SIs and VARs out of this market are no longer insurmountable barriers to entry. Progress has clearly been made and there is no better time than the present to take the step into the important mobility market segment. White books are now highly customisable, readily serviced by local resellers with immediate access to components and offer flexible pricing and higher margins. Demand for wireless solutions in the SME, government and education markets should also spark sales, channel players said.

There is no doubt that whitebooks are here to stay and they will become more and more common as white box vendors quickly move to rescue lost revenue from migrating desktop sales. Thinner, lighter platform are helping to drive the move to mobility, making it easier for customers to work and live in new and flexible ways. It's not a matter of “if”, but only a matter of “when” wireless technology will become truly ubiquitous.

Chip maker support

Intel and AMD are now providing resources to ensure that resellers remain competitive at both the low and high ends.

Today more than forty of Intel's worldwide Authorized Distributors have stepped up to dedicate time, energy and resources to make mobility and whitebooks succeed in the channel. These distributors make a commitment to grow their mobility and whitebook businesses, and offer specific benefits including training and education to Sis and VARs interested in entering the market segment.

Intel has been working with a few white book component and peripherals manufacturers, such as MSI, to ensure that they are developing high-quality, innovative products. Intel is providing them with development funds, and plans to bring reps from Taiwanese manufacturing companies to observe Intel's white book efforts and learn to build stronger relationships and better communications.

AMD is also working with motherboard manufacturers on AMD-compatible notebook platforms and the company has a dedicated team driving its white book effort.

The opportunities are ahead of you

As customers increasingly rely on notebook PCs and mobility solutions, the SIs and VARs that provide those solutions gain more and more chances for their next business growth opportunities. So, plan ahead and make profits from it.