Georgetown: Amid the number of growing and unprecedented ways COVID-19 has changed how human beings survive, it also underscores the increasing value of computers globally.
According to President of STARR Computer, 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 realtime, its value has far exceeded its selling price,” he said.
Mohan explained that 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, he said developed countries such as the United States 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 Personal Computer (PC) shortages have occurred.
Underscoring the exponential demands, Mohan said along with shortages amongst internal parts have further driven up the price across their various supply channels.
Therefore, he said computers have become the most valuable device in the current home space.
“Today, as we face the realities of balancing lives versus 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 programs and organizations,” Mr. Mohan explained.
Because computers are highly interactive and used daily, Mohan said it often requires technical support for hardware, software, connectivity, virus management on a regular basis.
“Therefore, warranty services or service contracts are generally encouraged for users based on level of usage – whether consumer or business,” he said.
Over the years, Mohan noted Guyanese experienced many one-time transaction dealers who offered up to five years warranty on equipment who thereafter disappeared shortly after sale.
Thereafter, he explained that 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,” he added.
Adding that many new dealers and brokers are expected to start popping up in Guyana to target its market demand, Mohan said unfortunately many citizens are going to be hurt in the process of acquiring computers through unauthorized dealers and shady merchants.
He advised that 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, he explained that 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 has resumed its dominant role in your home to navigate work responsibilities, academical study, home entertainment, and a host of other content access,” Mohan said.
Further, he noted that 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 boost 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 enhanced the cost of ownership for equipment purchased,” he said.
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, Mohan said the 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,” he noted.
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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