Below are a few pictures showing the presentation made as discussed in the previous blog from May 22, 2009 titled “CompUSA Blurring the Lines between Brick and Mortar and Online Retail Shopping”. These images further show the emphasis the company has put into their new direction of personal interaction with online assistance:

Recently I had the benefit of touring CompUSA’s new flagship facility in Plantation, Florida (http://www.compusa.com/retailstores/compusaStores/plantation.asp). We were given a special presentation and tour by Gilbert Fiorentino (Chief Executive – Technology Products Group) of the stores creative new interactive shopping capabilities.

The store itself on first glance was not much different than any other electronics store. They had rows of large screen LCD TVs, desk top and laptop computers, end caps of digital camera, and so on. But when you look closer you’ll notice that every component is also connected to or attached to the internet where you can find the answers to all of your questions about the products specs, features, and comparison to similar products. In fact the internet access is not restricted to show only CompUSA products but allows the user to freely surf other non-offensive sites including their competitor’s websites. Mr. Fiorentino proudly proclaimed that he was happy to allow his customers to shop Best Buy (which there’s a store located across the street) as he feels confident in the end they will come back to CompUSA for their purchases.

The interactivity of the online super store was not only a benefit to the consumer, but also to the stores employees so that they will never be at a loss when trying to answer a customer’s questions about a product. The sales reps no longer need to be specialized in a given category or a master of all, rather just savvy enough to navigate the companies website to find the answers needed.

Yet the best part of all is that the customer is not restricted to purchasing only the items carried in the store. In fact from the same internet connected kiosk where they are checking the specs on the latest digital cameras or TV’s they can also navigate to any of the thousands of products CompUSA sells online including duplicators and purchase on the spot with free shipping direct to the customer’s home. For those customer’s that don’t feel comfortable paying with a credit card online, they can go directly to a cashier and make their purchase safely and easily.

I tested it myself searching some of the various products we offer through CompUSA like:

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?keywords=vinpower&searchbtn.x=0&searchbtn.y=0

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?keywords=xerox+duplicator&searchbtn.x=0&searchbtn.y=0

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?keywords=optical+quantum&searchbtn.x=0&searchbtn.y=0

Before there were set boundaries between the tangible convenience of brick and mortar stores and the low cost expansive world of internet shopping, now those lines have been blurred and it’s ultimately to the customer’s benefit.

Trade shows are not all serious, it’s also a good opportunity to build relationships and have a good time. As shown in the image below, Alec is having a good time as we break the tension in our boardroom with some lighthearted humor.

Some look at trade shows as great opportunities or even necessary evils while others see them as unnecessary and a misdirection of marketing funds. It really all depends on your target audience and your companies marketing and sales strategy. For us, trade shows are both necessary and a tremendous opportunity for future business development and potential sales possibilities.

Vinpower Digital is a hybrid company where we function in two worlds; as a manufacturer developing products and components for other companies in the digital duplication field as well as a distributor of duplication accessories and peripherals like blank media. It is for this reason that trade shows are so important in our strategic marketing approach.

Recently we attended both the NAB trade show in Las Vegas, NV and Retail Vision in Boca Raton, FL over a course of two weeks. The NAB show is more consumer driven and focuses on all elements of broadcasting which duplication is a major element in this industry. So NAB is beneficial in creating greater awareness for consumers of our product range. Retail Vision is more focused on B2B business which allows us to interface directly with buyers and purchasing agents for various brick and mortar and web based retail sites. In order to achieve the best market penetration, it’s imperative that we work with as many partner sales channels as possible without cannibalizing our customer base. So reaching working with these various retail venues which all have strong customer bases, we can maximize our sales and opportunities.

Of course trade shows are not for everyone. If a company has a comfortable base and is not looking to expand or focuses more on their niche sales channel than volume business, those marketing funds could be better applied toward other services or outlets. But regardless of whether your company is big or small, participating in the right focused trade shows could be the difference between expansion or stagnation/contraction.

The only warning I have for those looking to expand their business through trade shows; firstly make sure the customer base is appropriate for your product line or else it’s a complete waste of time and money. Secondly, it’s no miracle elixir. Creating a strong channel takes time and repeated impressions, participating in one trade show may not be enough to rocket sales, it may take repeat impressions over a period of time to really have the impact necessary.

Below are two press release that were circulated throughout Japan. The releases are in Japanese, but follow the same information as the English versions released in the USA a few weeks earlier. For the English version, you can go to our “News & Events” section at www.vinpowerdigital.com.

The first release is related to our introduction of the Industry’s first Network Capable Standalone manual tower duplicators:

Vinpower Digitalは産業用の最初のネット・ワーク機能付きスタンド-アロンコピータワーを発表しました。

本日、Vinpower Digitalは最新の革新的商品を発表致しました。

これはSharkNet.ネット・ワーク接続機能付きスタンド-アロンコピー機シリーズです。

ユーザはこのシリーズを利用して、自分のパソコンで作成したイメージファイルまたはライトスクライブのプリンターファイルをＰＣからネット・ワーク(LAN/Ethernet)を経由しSharkNetコピー機まで転送することが出来ます。SharkNetコピー機でそのイメージファイルまたはライトスクライブのプリンターファイルをCD,DVD,Blu-rayメディアへ容易にコピーされます。

The second release is related to the introduction of the Vinpower Digital series of 8X Pioneer Blu-ray capable duplicators:

Vinpower DigitalはManual Towerとオートローダシリーズコピー機のBlu-rayディスクコピー速度を８倍速に向上させました。

これはパイオニアのエレクトロニクス（ＵＳＡ）商品開発部の副社長Andy Parsonsの言葉です。”パイオニアは長い間にずっとBlu-rayディスクフォーマットの進展をサポートしてきました。従って、Vinpower Digitalは、彼らの新製品ラインに重要なパーツとしてパイオニアの最新のBlu-rayディスクドライブを選択したことは大きな喜びです。”

While traveling to Japan on business, to my great fortune I happen to arrive during one of the most beautiful times of the year, when the Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom! If you haven’t had the chance to witness this for yourself, I highly recommend making a trip during late March early April to view this natural wonder for yourself.

This is a picture of me with my hosts from our Japanese distributor, SOHO walking through Ueno park.

After an anxious and prolonged wait, I finally received the photograph that I took with the world renowned Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California.

Ryan Swerdloff, VP of Marketing at Vinpower Digital with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California at the CeBIT trade show in Hannover, Germany March 2009.

As a California resident, one may consider it odd that they would meet the Governor of their state nearly 7,000 miles away in an obscure town in Germany. But that’s what exhibiting at one of the largest consumer electronics IT trade shows in the world brings about. Of course it’s also noteworthy to mention that the Governor of California is one of the most recognizable movie stars of all time, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The fact that California was a partner state of CeBIT made sense that the Governor would take time out of his busy schedule to attend this trade show. In addition, California is one of the largest developers and exporters of CE/IT products in the world. Plus with Governor Schwarzenegger’s immense popularity around the globe, his presence certainly elevated the presence of Californian exhibitors like ourselves. With our headquarters in Los Angeles county, we are directly aware of the benefits California has to offer when it comes to it’s large pool of skilled engineers and labor, close proximity to major shipping ports, and large concentration of component suppliers, not to mention the excellent weather.

It is for these reasons that I had to travel nearly half way around the world to meet the Governor whose official residence is only 300 miles from our factory. With that said, it was an exciting day to meet such a popular figure that I have watched since my childhood as well as a strong statement for the technological prowess of the “Sunshine” state.

The Plextor PX-DM300 was a joint venture developed by Vinpower Digital on behalf of Plextor of a compact 3 slim CD/DVD standalone duplicator which was first introduced nearly 2 years ago in Japan. Initially, we were chosen to work on this project because of our strong engineering background and the fact that we currently have the most reliable and functional standalone duplication controller on the market. Plus Plextor knew that we could meet their lengthy list of stringent requirements essential in order to brand this unit with the Plextor name.

These kinds of products often have short life spans, especially in the IT/CE product realm. So the fact that Plextor not only continues to offer the PX-DM300 but also is still actively promoting the product is a strong testament to its durability and demand in the marketplace.

We are proud of our association with Plextor as they have a strong reputation for quality and longevity in the optical disc duplication field. Seeing the unit as the only duplicator displayed amongst a bevy of Plextor products, which are wholly unrelated to disc duplication, is a coup de gras for Vinpower Digital in our efforts to become the leading global CD, DVD, Blu-ray duplicator manufacturer.

Munich Hall, which is the largest trade fair restaurant in the world, provides traditional German meals and drinks at a spacious ballroom with 3200 seats. You can see waitresses all in traditional costume and you can enjoy all kinds of delicious food and Bavarian cheese. Best of all is Munich beer in a huge traditional glass which the waiters and waitresses impressively carry up to 10 or so by hand to your table.

Every year when Vinpower attends CeBIT, we will bring customers to the Munich Hall to enjoy this traditional Bavarian style restaurant and all its entertainment and excitement. Munich Hall offers a variety of choices and dishes. Most of them are traditional hearty fare such as Hendl (chicken), Haxn (knuckle of pork), Würstel (sausages) along with Brezel (Pretzel), Knödeln (potato or bread dumplings), Sauerkraut or Blaukraut (red cabbage) along with such Bavarian delicacies as Obatzda (a fatty, spiced cheese-butter concoction) we had ordered that night.

With its dueling live bands playing music in the background, the whole place is full of excitement and cheers. After a few dinks of traditional Munich Beer, people were dancing happily on the hall floor, chairs and tables, and singing along with the music. It is truly a great place that you celebrate in an authentic atmosphere and let the busy trade day come to a relaxing end.