MBA Project Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPIC PAGE NO.

1. Introduction of Industry 2-12

2. Introduction of Company 13-31

3. Research Methodology 32-42

A. Title Justification

B. Objectives

C. Scope of study

D. Significance of the study

E. Research Design

F. Sampling Methodology

1) Sampling Unit

2) Sampling Technique

3) Sampling Area

4) Sample Size

G. Limitations

4. Facts & Findings 43-48

5. Data Analysis & Interpretation 49-59

6. Recommendations 60-61

7. Conclusion 62-63

8. Bibliography 64-65 a) Books b) Journal c) Magazines d) Internet

9. Annexure a) Questionnaire 66-68

1

CHAPTER-1

INTRODUCTION

TO

INDUSTRY

2

INTRODUCTION OF THE INDUSTRY

History of computers

The first computers were people! That is, electronic computers (and the earlier mechanical

computers) were given this name because they performed the work that had previously been

assigned to people. "Computer" was originally a job title: it was used to describe those human

beings (predominantly women) whose job it was to perform the repetitive calculations required

to compute such things as navigational tables, tide charts, and planetary positions for

astronomical almanacs. Imagine you had a job where hour after hour, day after day, you were

to do nothing but compute multiplications. Boredom would quickly set in, leading to

carelessness, leading to mistakes. And even on your best days you wouldn't be producing

answers very fast. Therefore, inventors have been searching for hundreds of years for a way to

mechanize (that is, find a mechanism that can perform) this task.

This picture shows what were known as "counting tables"

3

A typical computer operation back when computers were people.

The abacus was an early aid for mathematical computations. Its only value is that it aids the

memory of the human performing the calculation. A skilled abacus operator can work on

addition and subtraction problems at the speed of a person equipped with a hand calculator

(multiplication and division are slower). The abacus is often wrongly attributed to China. In

fact, the oldest surviving abacus was used in 300 B.C. by the Babylonians. The abacus is still

in use today, principally in the Far East. A modern abacus consists of rings that slide over rods,

but the older one pictured below dates from the time when pebbles were used for counting (the

word "calculus" comes from the Latin word for pebble).

A very old abacus

4

A more modern abacus. Note how the abacus is really just a representation of the human

fingers: the 5 lower rings on each rod represent the 5 fingers and the 2 upper rings represent the

2 hands.

In 1617 an eccentric (some say mad) Scotsman named John Napier invented logarithms, which

are a technology that allows multiplication to be performed via addition. The magic ingredient

is the logarithm of each operand, which was originally obtained from a

printed table. But Napier also invented an alternative to tables, where the logarithm values

were carved on ivory sticks which are now called Napier's Bones.

An original set of Napier's Bones

5

A more modern set of Napier's bones

Napier's invention led directly to the slide rule, first built in England in 1632 and still in use in

the 1960's by the NASA engineers of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs which landed

men on the moon.

A slide rule

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) made drawings of gear-driven calculating machines but

apparently never built any.

6

A Leonardo da Vinci drawing showing

gears arranged for computing

The first gear-driven calculating machine to actually be built was probably the calculating

clock, so named by its inventor, the German professor Wilhelm Schickard in 1623. This device

got little publicity because Schickard died soon afterward in the bubonic plague.

Schickard's Calculating Clock

In 1642 Blaise Pascal, at age 19, invented the Pascaline as an aid for his father who was a tax

collector. Pascal built 50 of this gear-driven one-function calculator (it could only add) but

couldn't sell many because of their exorbitant cost and because they really weren't that accurate

(at that time it was not possible to fabricate gears with the required precisioSn). Up until the

present age when car dashboards went digital, the odometer portion of a car's speedometer

used the very same mechanism as the Pascaline to increment the next wheel after each full

revolution of the prior wheel. Pascal was a child prodigy. At the age of 12, he was discovered

doing his version of Euclid's thirty-second proposition on the kitchen floor. Pascal went on to

invent probability theory, the hydraulic press, and the syringe. Shown below is an 8 digit

version of the Pascaline, and two views of a 6 digit version:

7

Pascal's Pascaline

A 6 digit model for those who couldn't afford the 8 digit model

8

A Pascaline opened up so you can observe the gears and cylinders which rotated to display the

numerical result

Computer

History

Year/Enter

Computer History

Inventors/Inventions

Computer History

Description of

Event

1936 Konrad Zuse - Z1 ComputerFirst freely

programmable computer.

1942 John Atanasoff & Clifford Berry

ABC Computer

Who was first in the

computing biz is not

always as easy as ABC.

1944 Howard Aiken & Grace Hopper

Harvard Mark I Computer

The Harvard Mark 1

computer.

1946 John Presper Eckert & John W. Mauchly

ENIAC 1 Computer

20,000 vacuum tubes

later...

9

1948

Frederic Williams & Tom Kilburn

Manchester Baby Computer & The Williams

Tube

Baby and the Williams

Tube turn on the

memories.

1947/48

John Bardeen, Walter Brattain & William

Shockley

The Transistor

No, a transistor is not a

computer, but this

invention greatly

affected the history of

computers.

1951 John Presper Eckert & John W. Mauchly

UNIVAC Computer

First commercial

computer & able to pick

presidential winners.

1953 International Business Machines

IBM 701 EDPM Computer

IBM enters into 'The

History of Computers'.

1953 International Business Machines

IBM 701 EDPM Computer

IBM enters into 'The

History of Computers'.

1954

John Backus & IBM

FORTRAN Computer Programming

Language

The first successful high

level programming

language.

1955

(In Use 1959)

Stanford Research Institute, Bank of America,

and General Electric

ERMA and MICR

The first bank industry

computer - also MICR

(magnetic ink character

recognition) for reading

checks.

1958 Jack Kilby & Robert Noyce

The Integrated Circuit

Otherwise known as 'The

Chip'

1962 Steve Russell & MIT

Spacewar Computer Game

The first computer game

invented.

1964 Douglas Engelbart

Computer Mouse & Windows

Nicknamed the mouse

because the tail came out

10

the end.

1969 ARPAnet The original Internet.

1970 Intel 1103 Computer Memory

The world's first

available dynamic RAM

chip.

1971 Faggin, Hoff & Mazor

Intel 4004 Computer MicroprocessorThe first microprocessor.

1971 Alan Shugart &IBM

The "Floppy" Disk

Nicknamed the "Floppy"

for its flexibility.

1973 Robert Metcalfe & Xerox

The Ethernet Computer NetworkingNetworking.

1974/75 Scelbi & Mark-8 Altair & IBM 5100

Computers

The first consumer

computers.

1976/77 Apple I, II & TRS-80 & Commodore Pet

Computers

More first consumer

computers.

1978 Dan Bricklin & Bob Frankston

VisiCalc Spreadsheet Software

Any product that pays

for itself in two weeks is

a surefire winner.

1979 Seymour Rubenstein & Rob Barnaby

WordStar SoftwareWord Processors.

1981 IBM

The IBM PC – Home Computer

From an "Acorn" grows

a personal computer

revolution

1981 Microsoft

MS-DOS Computer Operating System

From "Quick And Dirty"

comes the operating

system of the century.

1983 Apple Lisa Computer The first home computer

with a GUI, graphical

11

user interface.

1984 Apple Macintosh Computer

The more affordable

home computer with a

GUI.

1985 Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft begins the

friendly war with Apple.

12

CHAPTER-2

INTRODUCTION

TO

COMPANY

13

INTRODUCTION OF COMPANY

Born in 1976, HCL has a 3 decade rich history of inventions and innovations. In 1978, HCL

developed the first indigenous micro-computer at the same time as Apple and 3 years before

IBM's PC. During this period, India was a black box to the world and the world was a black

box to India. This micro-computer virtually gave birth to the Indian computer industry. The

80's saw HCL developing know-how in many other technologies. HCL's in-depth knowledge

of Unix led to the development of a fine grained multi-processor Unix in 1988, three years

ahead of Sun and HP.

HCL's R&D was spun off as HCL Technologies in 1997 to mark their advent into the software

services arena. During the last eight years, HCL has strengthened its processes and applied its

know-how, developed over 28 years into multiple practices - semi-conductor, operating

systems, automobile, avionics, bio-medical engineering, wireless, telecom technologies, and

many more.

Today, HCL sells more PCs in India than any other brand, runs Northern Ireland's largest BPO

operation, and manages the network for Asia's largest stock exchange network apart from

designing zero visibility landing systems to land the world's most popular airplane.

HCL is one of the pioneers in the Indian IT market, with its origins in 1976. For over quarter of

a century, we have developed and implemented solutions for multiple market segments, across

a range of technologies in India. We have been in the forefront in introducing new technologies

and solutions.

In the early 70’s a group of young and enthusiastic and ambitious technocrats embarked upon a

venture that would make their vision of IT revolution in India a reality. Shiv nadir and five of

his colleagues got together and 1975 set up a new company MICROCOMP to start with; they

started to capitalize on their marketing skills. Micro comp marketed calculators and with in a

few month of starting operation, the company was out selling its major competitors.

14

On 11th August, 1976 HINDUSTAN COMPUTERS LIMITED was incorporated as joint

venture between the entrepreneurs and UPSCE, wit an initial equity of Rs.1.83 Lacs.

TIMELINE

1976

- Hindustan Computers Limited (HCL) born.

1977

- Distribution alliance formed with Toshiba for copiers.

1978

- HCL successfully ships in-house designed micro-computer at the same time as Apple. The

Indian computer industry is born.

1980

- HCL introduces bit sliced, 16-bit processor based micro-computer.

1983

- Indigenously develops architecture, at the same time as global IT peers.

1986

- HCL becomes the largest IT Company in India.

1988

- HCL introduces fine grained multi-processor Unix-3 years ahead of “Sun” and “HP”.

1990

- Data Quest marks HCL No.1 amongst top ten computer giants.

1991

- HCL Ltd. and Hewlett Packard, USA, partner to form HCL-Hewlett Packard Ltd.

- JV develops multi-processor Unix for HP-heralds HCL’s entry into contract R&D.

1994

- Distribution alliances formed with Ericsson Switches and Nokia Cell phones.

1997

- HCL Info systems is formed.

- HCL's R&D spun-off as HCL Technologies- marks advent into software services.

- JV with Perot Systems, stake divested in 2003.

15

1999

- Initial Public Offering made by HCL Technologies Ltd.

- Formation of Global Board of Directors.

2000

- Large contracts won from Bankers Trust, KLA Tencor, Cisco, GTECH, and NEC among

others.

2001

- JV with Deutsche Bank- DSL software formed.

- HCL BPO Incorporated.

- Acquired British Telecom’s Apollo’s contact center in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

- HCL Info systems becomes largest hardware company.

2002

- Strong pursuit of nonlinear strategy to widen services portfolio; several JVs and alliances

formed.

- Strategic alliance forged with Jones Apparel Group, Inc. a fortune 500 company.

- Infrastructure services division launched to address emerging global needs.

- Software businesses of HCL Info systems and HCL Technologies merged.

2003

- Largest BPO order ever outsourced to an Indian BPO firm, won from British Telecom.

- Landmark deals signed with Airbus and AMD.

- HCL manpower crosses the 20,000 mark.

2004

- Accorded leader status by Meta Group in Offshore Outsourcing.

- HCL is India’s No.1 PC 4th year in a row.

2005

- HCL signs Software Development Agreement with Boeing for the 787 Dreamliner program.

- JV with NEC, Japan.

- HCL sets up first Power PC architecture design centre outside of IBM.

- Completes buy-out of JVs with Deutsche Bank and British Telecom's Apollo Contact Centre.

- HCL integrates all group employees under hcl.in domain.

- Sets up a dedicated Offshore Design Center for leading Tier-1 Aerospace supplier, Hamilton

16

Sundstrand.

- HCL Info systems launches sub Rs.10, 000 PC. Joins hands with AMD, Microsoft to bridge

the digital divide.

2006

- 75,000+ machines produced in a single month.

- HCL Info systems in partnership with Toshiba expand its retail presence in India by unveiling

'shop Toshiba'.

- HCL Info systems & Nokia announce a long term distribution strategy.

- HCL the leader in Desktops PCs unveils India's first segment specific range of notebooks

brand - 'HCL Laptops'.

- HCL Info systems showcase Computer Solutions for the Rural Markets in India.

- HCL Support wins the DQ Channels-2006 GOLD Award for Best After Sales Service on a

nationwide customer satisfaction survey conducted by IDC.

- HCL AND ZEE - Dish TV team up to take DTH TV to its next level of growth in India

- HCL Info systems First in India to Launch the New Generation of High Performance Server

Platforms Powered by Intel Dual - Core Xeon 5000 Processor.

- HCL Forms a Strategic Partnership with APPLE to provide Sales & Service Support for

iPods in India.

17

PRODUCTS OF HCL

Home PCsEZEEBEE MAX P991

Ubuntu Linux 8.10

Intel Atom 230 Processor

1.6 Ghz, 512 KB L2 Cache, 533 Mhz FSB

Intel 945GC chipset based ITX MBD

1 GB DDR2 memory

160GB SATA Hard Disk Drive SATA

EZEEBEE TOP T321 PDC

Intel Pentium Dual Core processor E2220

2.4 Ghz, 1 MB L6 Cache, 800 Mhz FSB

Intel G31 chipset based Micro-ATX MBD

1 GB DDR2 memory


18

EZEEBEE TOP XP T819 PDC

Genuine Windows Vista Starter Edition



G31 based Chipset

1 GB DDR2 memory

160 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive SATA

22X DVD Writer (Black)


Ubuntu Linux 8.10




2 GB DDR2 memory



19


Ubuntu Linux 8.10




2 GB DDR2 memory



EZEEBEE TOP Z321 C2D

Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic

Intel Core 2 Duo processor E7400



3 GB DDR2 memory



20

EZEEBEE TOP XP Z329 C2D


Intel Core 2 Duo processor E7400



3 GB DDR2 memory



EZEEBEE TOP XP T329 PDC





2 GB DDR2 memory



21

HCL Laptop U-3918

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400

Ubuntu Linux

8GB DDR2 RAM (2xslots)

500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive SATA

HCL Laptop Z39 – Z3909 Centrino

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium

Intel Centrino Processor Technology

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400

o 2 MB L2 Cache, 2.0GHz, 800 MHz FSB

Intel Wireless lan 5100 AGN

4 GB DDR2 RAM

320 GB Hard Disk Drive

22

HCL Leaptop U39

Intel Core 2 Duo processors T5800

Ubuntu 8.10

14.1” Wide Screen TFT-LCD WXGA (1280X800)

4 GB DDR2 RAM


DVD Super Multi Drive

Integrated 2.0 M Video Camera with Dual Internal MIC

HCL Leaptop U39

Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5800

Ubuntu 8.10

14.1” Wide Screen TFT-LCD WXGA (1280X800)

3 GB DDR2 RAM


DVD Super Multi Drive

Integrated 2.0 M Video Camera with Dual Internal MIC

23

http://www.hclstore.in/hcl_leaptop_u39

ROLE OF ADVERTISEMENT

Advertisement plays an important impact on consumers to purchase destop pc’s of brands.

Now a day we see that each and every company endorsing brand ambassadors so that to attract

customers and make their customer base more & more. IBM has signed Saif Ali Khan to

endorse his products Shahrukh khan was endorsed by compaq so that more & more computes

can be sold out.

INDIAN PC MARKET TO SHOW DOUBLE GROWTH THAN THE

WORLD

PC market in India will likely grow at 20%, almost double of global PC market this year, as

per Gartner, the research firm. However, the growth in Indian PC market will be five

percentage-points lower in comparison to what it was last year (2006).

Gartner forecasts that PC makers will ship 255.7 million units worldwide this year, a 10.5%

increase from 2006. Revenue, on the other hand, is projected to increase only 4.6% to

US$213.7 billion, as average selling prices continue to drop.

In 2007, worldwide shipments of PCs are expected to increase 10.5% from last year to reach

255.7 Million units. On the other hand, the revenues are anticipated to grow just 4.6% and

reach US$ 213.7 Billion with continuous decline in average selling prices. Emerging markets

will play a key role in this growth.

“Emerging markets and mobile PCs will continue to provide growth. However, falling average

selling prices (ASPs), slowing replacement activity, and further declines in mature market

desk-based PC shipments will keep PC vendors under pressure to rationalize their operations

or exit the market,” as per George Shuffler, research director with Client Platforms Markets

Group of Gartner Dataquest. The statement appeared in India Times InfoTech on March 21,

2007.

As said by IDC, PC shipments in India increased 25% in 2006. “The consumer and the SMB

segments will be the major drivers of the Indian market. High demand for mobile PCs

24

bolstered the growth, overtaking sales in the desk-based segment. In addition, with a greater

focus given to e-governance, the government spend is expected to propel the market further”,

said Gartner India’s principal analyst, Diptarup Chakraborti while commenting on Indian

market. India Times InfoTech published this statement on March 21, 2007.

As per the RNCOS report “Portable Electronics Market - Worldwide (2006)”, “A fundamental

move toward mobile computing going on in the market is making significant contribution to

the top line growth.”

25

FUTURE SCOPE

On the commercial front, Munglani feels that decision cycles are still slow, but there is a

definite increase in queries and tenders. He feels that government funded projects need to

increase, and points to the recent Andhra Pradesh schools project, which pulled in more than

5,000 units, as a good example of what government enthusiasm for IT can do.In conclusion,

going by what the industry feels and what the numbers reveal, recovery is definitely taking

place in the industry, though caution is still the prevailing sentiment.

However, the bottom line is that the days of super growth seem to be over. While IDC has

predicted 22.3 percent growth in 2003, not everyone in the industry seems to be ready to join

in the chorus. HP’s Sai Chandrasekhar says that their assessment is an expectation of 10-15

percent growth, which he feels is very realistic. “It is unlikely that the market will return to the

heady days of 30 percent growth,” he explains. Kochhar of Skoch seconds that when he says,

“We can no longer look at heady growth rates like 40 percent or 60 percent...the market has

been growing more in single digit to low two digit growth rates.” And that seems to be the

future that India’s PC brigade faces-but well, surely even low two digit growth rates are better

than negative growth, and that’s the reason for the cautious smiles on the faces of PC vendors.

Hopefully, the next quarter will bring even broader smiles.

26

PARTY TIME FOR BRANDED PC PLAYERS

The PC market is rocking with branded PC vendors grabbing market share from the assembled

players, says Kusum Makhija

The overall market for desktop personal computers registered a 28.2 percent growth during

calendar year 2004 as compared to the previous year. What is significant is that branded PCs

continue to make impressive gains against the grey market. According to IDC, the share of

branded PCs grew from 36.2 percent in 2003 to 49.2 percent in 2004, registering an impressive

growth rate of 74.3 percent. Interestingly, the grey market remained flat, registering a growth

of 2.2 percent, while the total desktop PC market registered a growth of 28.2 percent.

27

KEY PARTNERSHIPS

28

Market Share of Various players in the INDIAN market(2007 – 2008)

57.5%

8.4%

7.9%

7.0%

4.2%

3.7%

1.0% 3.5%

3.3%1.6%1.9%

HCL

Compaq

Zenith

IBM

Acer

Hewlett-Packard

Wipro

Vintron

Siemens Nixdorf

Dell

Others*

From the above graph it is clear that in Indian Hardware Industry the HCL Info systems Ltd.

share is highest in all branded companies. But still very high portion about 57.5% is in favors

of unbranded local companies, which is still a challenge towards all. The share of the

unorganized sector has been falling steadily with the fall in price of branded PCs. A recent

phenomenon has been the increasing share of Tier 2 towns and cities in the PC sales thereby

indicating increased PC penetration into the hinterland. Sales of notebooks have averaged

around 50,000 in the past two years. Printers have been traditionally the fastest growing

segment of the PC peripherals market. Even when PC sales were increasing by 39%, printer

sales increased by 41%.

In future, HCL hardware sales to the institutional segment are likely to remain stable, with

sustained hardware spending by all the verticals, especially the banking and financial services

sector. Besides, in retail hardware sales, a continued reduction of price points, facilitated in

part by the recent reduction in excise duties on PCs, is likely to reduce the price advantage of

the small assemblers, and augur well for branded PC manufacturers like HCL. In the medium

term, HCL margins, despite its sales tax advantages, may be affected by the likely removal of

duty protection on manufactured PCs from the year 2005. With imported PCs becoming

cheaper, it may be critical for HCL to establish an alternate supply chain based on imports of

29

finished PCs. Nonetheless, its financial risks are mitigated by its low gearing, substantial liquid

investments and unutilized working capital limits.

IDC declared its numbers for the Indian PC market for financial year 2005-06 today. The year

recorded an impressive growth in terms of unit shipments - the market grew 30% over

financial year 2004-05 to exceed the 4.6 million-mark, according to IDC's India Quarterly PC

Market Tracker, 1Q 2006, May 2006 preliminary release.

MARKETING STRATEGIES OF EACH COMPANY TO ATTRACT

CUSTOMERS

Now days every companies playing strategies so as to attract customers and increase revenues

and also customer base. Pent-up demand, attractive price points and economic stability

propelled PC growth. PCs are acting as entertainment centers with TV functionality, supported

by the digital sound experience and large screen displays

SOME OF THE STRATEGIES THEY ARE PLAYING

Vista and Office 2007 hit the market

Microsoft has opened the doors for consumers to purchase its latest Operating System,

Windows Vista, and Office 2007 with a grand launch across 70 countries.

Microsoft released the latest version of its operating system Windows Vista and Office 2007

for corporate customers in November 2006. Now it has launched the software for the masses,

i.e. non corporate consumers. The consumer launch took place on 30th January across 70

countries. Windows Vista is the first major Windows launch by Microsoft since the launch of

Windows XP in 2001.

These products are launched to ‘wow’ customers with features like enhanced security, better

search, improved parental control and an all new interface. According to Ravi Venkatesan,

Chairman, Microsoft India, “This is the launch of the decade for Microsoft and the biggest for

us in India, with the design of this product we have dealt with the security issues.” In India,

OEMs including HCL, HP, Lenovo, Sahara, Wipro and Zenith are launching Vista compatible

PCs

30

Windows Vista and Office 2007 will be made available to the public in several editions. The

consumer editions are Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows

Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Starter. Vista is being shipped in 18 languages

including Hindi. Extending the Indian language support, Microsoft will have 13 more Indian

languages including Telugu and Marathi and support for these is expected by early 2008.

Office 2007 comes in two consumer editions—Office Home & Student 2007 and Office Basic

2007.

31

CHAPTER-3

RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY

32

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

A) Title

“Study of Customer preference of Laptops/Desktops of HCL”

1) Title Justification

The Title was taken in to order to study that how a consumer perceives while buying the

computer products. This study will help in designing policy of the company towards luring

the customer through different offers.

B) Objectives

a) Primary objective

To study the consumer preference (Liking or disliking) while purchase the laptop/ Desktop

& to study the behavioral responses towards different offers.

b) Secondary objectives

To study the extent of market strategies adopted by computer industry and its impact

among the competitors belonging to different categories of computer peripheral.

To study the impact of sales promotional tools adopted by competitors of HCL.

To know about new marketing aspects of the organization.

C) Scope of the study

The main purpose of the research is to understand the consumer perception and attitude

towards various companies of computer with this how they take decisions,

Regarding their purchasing pattern it has minutely observed that customer, consumption &

purchasing pattern during the research. The various factors that can affect the purchasing

decisions like, quality of the product, brand image in the market and regulatory in the

33

supply etc has analyzed. The will give opportunity to researcher to get the brief idea of the

study and the limitations in the research and they can try to cope up with them. The

organization can utilize information to formulate & formulate their market strategy

according to customer’s expectation.

D) SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

1) Significance of the Industry

The study is important for the industry as we to recognize that who all are the competitors in

the market and where do we stand in the market.

We would also like to know that what all job prospects in the industry and into which all fields

we can diversify our business.

It is also important to conduct a research so as to find out that what the consumers taste and

preferences i.e. what all a consumer feels while purchasing the products of the company and

after using the product what all the perceptions of consumer towards the consumed products

i.e. whether the products is up to his expectations or it is below the his expectations.

Therefore, that is why we need to conducts the research on computers industry.

2) Significance of the Researcher

It was important for me to conduct the research because:

1) Its helps me to know about new aspects of the organizations.

2) In order to find what are the different tastes and preferences of the consumers.

3) In order to complete my report.

E) RESEARCH DESIGN:

“A research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a

manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure.”

In fact, the research design is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted; it

constitutes the blue print for the collection, measurement and analysis of data. As such the

34

design includes an outline of what the researcher will do from writing the hypothesis and its

operational implications to the final analysis of data.

PROBABILITY SAMPLING

A probability sampling scheme is one in which every unit in the population has a chance

(greater than zero) of being selected in the sample, and this probability can be accurately

determined. The combination of these traits makes it possible to produce unbiased estimates of

population totals, by weighting sampled units according to their probability of selection.

TYPES OF PROBABILITY SAMPLING:

Probability sampling includes: Simple Random Sampling, Systematic Sampling, and Stratified

Sampling, Probability Proportional to Size Sampling, and Cluster or Multistage Sampling.

These various ways of probability sampling have two things in common:

1. Every element has a known nonzero probability of being sampled and

2. Involves random selection at some point.

Simple Random Sampling

In a simple random sampling ('SRS') of a given size, all such subsets of the frame are given an

equal probability. Each element of the frame thus has an equal probability of selection: the

frame is not subdivided or partitioned. Furthermore, any given pair of elements has the same

chance of selection as any other such pair (and similarly for triples, and so on). This minimizes

bias and simplifies analysis of results. In particular, the variance between individual results

within the sample is a good indicator of variance in the overall population, which makes it

relatively easy to estimate the accuracy of results.

35

Systematic Sampling

Systematic sampling relies on arranging the target population according to some ordering

scheme and then selecting elements at regular intervals through that ordered list. Systematic

sampling involves a random start and then proceeds with the selection of every kth element

from then onwards. In this case, k=(population size/sample size). It is important that the

starting point is not automatically the first in the list, but is instead randomly chosen from

within the first to the kth element in the list.

As long as the starting point is randomized, systematic sampling is a type of probability

sampling. It is easy to implement and the stratification induced can make it efficient, if the

variable by which the list is ordered is correlated with the variable of interest. 'Every 10th'

sampling is especially useful for efficient sampling from databases.

Stratified Sampling

Where the population embraces a number of distinct categories, the frame can be organized by

these categories into separate "strata." Each stratum is then sampled as an independent sub-

population, out of which individual elements can be randomly selected. There are several

potential benefits to stratified sampling.

First, dividing the population into distinct, independent strata can enable researchers to draw

inferences about specific subgroups that may be lost in a more generalized random sample.

Second, utilizing a stratified sampling method can lead to more efficient statistical estimates

(provided that strata are selected based upon relevance to the criterion in question, instead of

availability of the samples). It is important to note that even if a stratified sampling approach

does not lead to increased statistical efficiency, such a tactic will not result in less efficiency

than would simple random sampling, provided that each stratum is proportional to the group’s

size in the population.

36

Third, it is sometimes the case that data are more readily available for individual, pre-existing

strata within a population than for the overall population; in such cases, using a stratified

sampling approach may be more convenient than aggregating data across groups (though this

may potentially be at odds with the previously noted importance of utilizing criterion-relevant

strata).

Finally, since each stratum is treated as an independent population, different sampling

approaches can be applied to different strata, potentially enabling researchers to use the

approach best suited (or most cost-effective) for each identified subgroup within the

population.

A stratified sampling approach is most effective when three conditions are met

1. Variability within strata are minimized

2. Variability between strata are maximized

3. The variables upon which the population is stratified are strongly correlated with the

desired dependent variable.

Probability proportional to size sampling

In some cases the sample designer has access to an "auxiliary variable" or "size measure",

believed to be correlated to the variable of interest, for each element in the population. This

data can be used to improve accuracy in sample design. One option is to use the auxiliary

variable as a basis for stratification, as discussed above.

Another option is probability-proportional-to-size ('PPS') sampling, in which the selection

probability for each element is set to be proportional to its size measure, up to a maximum of 1.

In a simple PPS design, these selection probabilities can then be used as the basis for Poisson

sampling. However, this has the drawbacks of variable sample size, and different portions of

the population may still be over- or under-represented due to chance variation in selections. To

address this problem, PPS may be combined with a systematic approach.

37

Cluster sampling

Sometimes it is cheaper to 'cluster' the sample in some way e.g. by selecting respondents from

certain areas only, or certain time-periods only. Cluster sampling is an example of 'two-stage

sampling' or 'multistage sampling': in the first stage a sample of areas is chosen; in the second

stage a sample of respondents within those areas is selected.

This can reduce travel and other administrative costs. It also means that one does not need a

sampling frame listing all elements in the target population. Instead, clusters can be chosen

from a cluster-level frame, with an element-level frame created only for the selected clusters.

Cluster sampling generally increases the variability of sample estimates above that of simple

random sampling, depending on how the clusters differ between themselves, as compared with

the within-cluster variation.

Nevertheless, some of the disadvantages of cluster sampling are the reliance of sample estimate

precision on the actual clusters chosen. If clusters chosen are biased in a certain way,

inferences drawn about population parameters from these sample estimates will be far off from

being accurate.

Multistage sampling

Multistage sampling is a complex form of cluster sampling in which two or more levels of

units are imbedded one in the other. The first stage consists of constructing the clusters that

will be used to sample from. In the second stage, a sample of primary units is randomly

selected from each cluster (rather than using all units contained in all selected clusters). In

following stages, in each of those selected clusters, additional samples of units are selected,

and so on. All ultimate units (individuals, for instance) selected at the last step of this

procedure are then surveyed.

This technique, thus, is essentially the process of taking random samples of preceding random

samples. It is not as effective as true random sampling, but it probably solves more of the

38

problems inherent to random sampling. Moreover, It is an effective strategy because it banks

on multiple randomizations. As such, it is extremely useful.

Multistage sampling is used frequently when a complete list of all members of the population

does not exist and is inappropriate. Moreover, by avoiding the use of all sample units in all

selected clusters, multistage sampling avoids the large, and perhaps unnecessary, costs

associated traditional cluster sampling.

Non Probability Sampling

It is any sampling method where some elements of the population have no chance of selection

(these are sometimes referred to as 'out of coverage'/'under covered'), or where the probability

of selection can't be accurately determined. It involves the selection of elements based on

assumptions regarding the population of interest, which forms the criteria for selection. Hence,

because the selection of elements is nonrandom, non probability sampling does not allow the

estimation of sampling errors. These conditions place limits on how much information a

sample can provide about the population. Information about the relationship between sample

and population is limited, making it difficult to extrapolate from the sample to the population.

TYPES OF NON PROBABILITY SAMPLING:

Quota sampling

In quota sampling the population is first segmented into mutually exclusive sub-groups, just as

in stratified sampling. Then judgment is used to select the subjects or units from each segment

based on a specified proportion. For example, an interviewer may be told to sample 200

females and 300 males between the age of 45 and 60.

It is this second step which makes the technique one of non-probability sampling. In quota

sampling the selection of the sample is non-random. For example interviewers might be

tempted to interview those who look most helpful. The problem is that these samples may be

biased because not everyone gets a chance of selection. This random element is its greatest

weakness and quota versus probability has been a matter of controversy for many years

39

Judgment sampling or purposive sampling

The researcher chooses the sample based on who they think would be appropriate for the study.

This is used primarily when there is a limited number of people that have expertise in the area

being researched.

Convenience sampling

Convenience sampling (sometimes known as grab or opportunity sampling) is a type of non

probability sampling which involves the sample being drawn from that part of the population

which is close to hand. That is, a sample population selected because it is readily available and

convenient. The researcher using such a sample cannot scientifically make generalizations

about the total population from this sample because it would not be representative enough. For

example, if the interviewer was to conduct such a survey at a shopping center early in the

morning on a given day, the people that he/she could interview would be limited to those given

there at that given time, which would not represent the views of other members of society in

such an area, if the survey was to be conducted at different times of day and several times per

week. This type of sampling is most useful for pilot testing. Several important considerations

for researchers using convenience samples include.

The sampling design for this study was Probability Sampling.

Under this design, the method of sampling used was simple random sampling. In simple

random sampling, a simple random sample is a sunset of individuals (a sample) chosen from a

larger set (a population). Each individual is chosen randomly and entirely by chance, such that

each individual has the same probability of being chosen at any stage during the sampling

process. This process and technique is known as simple random sampling. Simple random

sampling is the simplest of the probability sampling techniques it requires a complete sampling

frame, f a complete frame is available, more efficient approaches may be possible if other

useful information is available about the units in the population.

40

Research Design consists of three parts:

1. Exploratory Research

2. Descriptive Research

3. Experimental research

An exploratory research focuses on the discovery of idea and is generally based on secondary

data. It is preliminary investigation that does not have a rigid design. This is because a

researcher engaged in an exploratory study that may have to change his focus as a result of

new ideas and relationship among the variables.

A descriptive study is undertaken when the researcher wants to know the characteristics of

certain group such as age, sex, educational level, income, and occupation etc.

An experimental research is undertaken when the researcher is interested in knowing the

cause and effect relationship between two or more variables. Such studies are based on

reasoning along well-tested lines.

The adopted questionnaire is DESCRIPITIVE IN NATURE.

F) Sampling Methodology

1) Sampling Units

Sampling unit is who is to be surveyed. A) Sampling universe: The sampling universe in my

project consisted of various, agent, individuals, employees and consumers.

2) Sampling Technique

41

The study included questionnaires and face to face interviews with the sample as described.

It is necessary to this method as the study demands qualitative analysis as well which can

best be obtained by face to face interviews.

The procedure of sampling adopted during the course of project was simple random

sampling.

3) Sampling Area

The primary data was collected through survey that was systematically carried in south

Delhi. The responses of the respondents were recorded in the questionnaire prepared for

them through questionnaires with oral interpretations.

4) Sampling Size

It means the total number of people which has been surveyed by the researcher. The

sample consisted of 100 people.

G) Limitations

1) Constraints of Time: To research on 100 people in their core area of market division

was very wide and required plenty of time, which was not available. There was not

sufficient duration to study the entire scenario of the market/

2) Libraries were not sufficiently equipped with information required.

3) Least concern and interest of the people.

4) Information was not properly available on internet.

42

CHAPTER-4

FACTS

AND

FINDING

43

FACTS AND FINDING

Q.1 Are you buying a desktop/laptop for the first time?

a) Yes

b) No

Particulars No. of respondents Figure in percentage

Yes 15 15%

No 85 85%

Q.2 Would you be using your PC at:-

a) Home

b) Office

c) Both


Home 20 20%

Office 35 35%

Both 45 45%

44

Q.3 Which brand you prefer for your requirement of computers and laptops?

a) Sony b) HCL c) Compaq

d) Dell e) IBM f) Apple

Particular No. of respondent Figure in percentage

Sony 10 10%

HCL 22 22%

Compaq 24 24%

Dell 12 12%

IBM 18 18%

Apple 14 14%

Q.4 What are the reasons of preferring a particular company for the products?

a) Service

b) Credibility

c) Cost

d) Durability

e) Warranty

Particular No. of respondents Figure in percentage

Service 56 56%

Credibility 06 06%

Cost 10 10%

Durability 08 08%

Warranty 20 20%

45

Q. 5 What are the services you prefer or would like to have from it companies?

a) Good customer care

b) After sales services

c) Technical support

d) Quality product

Particulars No. of respondents Figures in percentage

Good customer care 40 40%

After sales services 24 24%

Technical support 16 16%

Quality product 20 20%

Q.6 Do you avail after sales services?

a) Yes

b) No


Yes 96 96%

No 4 4%

Q.7 What do you prefer more?

a) Desktops

b) Laptops


Desktops 24 24%

Laptops 76 76%

46

Q. 8 Would you like to operate your PC with a remote control as well & record LIVE TV

Programs to see them at your convenience?

a) Yes

b) No


Yes 56 56%

No 44 44%

Q.9 A part from education, would you also like to use the PC for listening to music. Watching

movies on DVDs and entertainment?

a) Yes

b) No


Yes 45 45%

No 55 55%

Q.10 Are you being using the PC for playing games with high quality graphics and

animations?

a) Yes

b) No


Yes 32 32%

No 68 68%

47

Key Findings

1) Maximum people are buying there laptops and computers for the second or third time.

2) Mainly people buy computers and laptops for both office use & for home.

3) People mainly prefer Compaq for there computers and laptops followed by HCL.

4) People prefer companies on the basis of the services they provide.

5) Mainly people prefer good customer care from the company they are buying the

products.

6) As we can see that maximum people avail the after sales services.

7) Maximally people prefer laptops these days as they are comfortable to carry.

8) Computers with remote control are not much in the market then also people are willing

to have such computers.

9) Teenaged people like to here more songs on laptops & computers but not professionals

or business men.

10) Games are played mostly by boys & school going children so mainly people don’t by

laptops & computers for playing games & graphics.

48

Chapter-5

DATA ANALYSIS

AND

INTERPRETATION

49

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Q.1 Are you buying a desktop/laptop for the first time?

Yes 15

No 85

No. of re-

spondents

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Yes

No

Interpretation: According to the above graph we can say that 85% people say that they are

buying their desktop/laptops for the second or third time.

50

Q.2 Would you be using your pc at:-

Home 20

Office 35

Both 45

No. of re-

spon-dents

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Home

Office

Both

Interpretation: As graph show that 45% people buy their computers or laptops for

both official and home use.

51

Q.3 Which it company that you prefer for the computers and laptops?

SONY 10

HCL 22

Compaq 24

Dell 12

IBM 18

Apple 14

No. of re-spondent

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Sony

HCL

Compaq

Dell

IBM

Apple

Interpretation: Mainly 24% of people prefer buying Compaq laptops and

computers followed by HCL with 22%

52


Services 56

Credibility 06

Cost 10

Durability 08

Warranty 20

No. of respon-dents

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Services

Credibility

Cost

Durability

Warranty

Interpretation: 56% people prefer services while buying a product from a particular

company

53

Q.5 What are the services you prefer or would like to have from it companies?

Good customer care 40

After sales services 24

Technical support 16

Quality product 20

No. of re-spon-dents

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Good customer care

After sales services

Technical support

Quality product

Interpretation: 40% people prefer good customer care from a company. Rather we may say

that customer buy product of the company which provides good customer care.

54


Yes 96

No 04

No. of re-

spon-dents

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Yes

No

Interpretation This graph shows that 96% people avail after sales services & 4% of people

do not avail after sales services

55


Desktops 24

Laptops 76

No. of re-

pon-dents

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Desktops

Laptops

Interpretation: As day are becoming hectic and busy so laptops are becoming the part of life

so 76% of people prefer laptops these days because they are easy to carry and becoming more

easy to any where and every.

56

Q.8 Would you like to operate your PC with a remote control as well and record LIVE TV

programs to see them at your convenience?

Yes 56

No 44

No.of re-

spon-dents

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Yes

No

Interpretation: 56% people like to have there computers with remote controls as they are

not much knowledgeable to people.

57

Q.9 A part from education, would you also like to use the PC for listening to music,

watching movies on DVDs and other entertainment?

Yes 45

No 55

No. of re-

spon-dents

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Yes

No

Interpretation: 55% people don’t like using there computers for entertainment as this survey

is been done mostly with the business class people.

58


animations?

Yes 32

No 68

No. of re-

pon-dents

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Yes

No

Interpretation: This graph shows that 68% people don’t like using there computers for

playing games & 32% people like to use there computers for playing games.

59

CHAPTER-6

RECOMMENDATIONS

60

Recommendations

According to the survey it is found that HCL and Compaq are the leading brands in that area.

They prefer this brand because of the after sales service mechanism established by these

companies and the warranty as well as cost effectiveness.

It is recommended that:-

a) Company should stress more and after sales services as it is one of the high point of

selling

b) Credibility of the company is less among the high end customers as up till now

company stresses on selling more and more desktops/ laptops to acquire market share

but image of the company is not very good among the upper income category.

c) More and more models with attractive colors on the body required to attract the young

generation which is not the strategy of the company up till now.

d) Company is lacking in technical support according to the survey.

e) As people would like ton use the remote control for recording the live program. So

companies should come with remote control models in desktops/ laptops.

61

CHAPTER-7

CONCLUSION

62

CONCLUSION

Doing training was really an opportunity before me when I could convert my theoretical

knowledge into practical and of real world type. Fortunately, the company I got is a true

follower of the various principles of management and one of the leading companies in its

segment of the industry. The working environment that I was being provided was extraordinary

and helped me a lot in delivering my work properly and with full potency of mine. HCL is one

of the renowned names in the software and hardware sector of computer industry.

I had to complete my project within a limited time frame. This made experience the actual

stress of the workplace. This I think will work as real booster. The way the boss supported me

and his other subordinates was a good example of coordination and good manger. This shows

that in the corporate world the superior officer not only take care of the target fulfilled but also

the also the behavioral aspect of the subordinates.

To conclude it can be said that HCL is having a good reputation in the market and well known

among the customers. So who so ever is going to work there will not in mode of leaving it due

to its high credibility and goodwill in the market.

HCL is having a tough competition from Compaq, Sony and other companies.

Mainly people are looking for good services from the companies.

63

CHAPTER-8

BIBLIOGRAPHY

64

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOK

Name of the Book: Marketing Research

Author: Mr. Kothari

Name of the Book: Market Research

Author: Dr. C B Momoria

MAGAZINES / JOURNALS / NEWSPAPERS

Business World

Business Today

The Financial Express

The Times of India

The Hindu

WEBSITES :

www.hcl.in

www.indiainfoline.com

www.google.com

www.hp.com

www.apple.com

www.dell.com

www.ibm.com

65

CHAPTER-9

ANNEXURE

66

ANNEXURE

Questionnaire

Name ____________________________________

Designation ____________________________________

Address ____________________________________

Contact No. ____________________________________

Q. 1 Are you buying a desktop/laptop for the first time?

a) Yes

b) No

Q.2 Would you be using your PC at:

a) Home

b) Office

c) Both

Q.3 Which company that you prefer for computers and laptops?

a) SONY

b) HCL

c) Compaq

d) Dell

e) IBM

f) Apple


a) Services

b) Credibility

c) Cost

d) Durability

e) Warranty

Q.5 What are the services you prefer or would like to have from the companies?

67

a) Good customer care

b) After sales services

c) Technical support

d) Quality product


a) Yes

b) No


a) Desktops

b) Laptops

Q.8 Would you like to operate your PC with a remote control as well & record LIVE TV

programs to see them at your convenience?

a) Yes

b) No

Q.9 Apart from education, would you also like to use the PC for listening to music,

watching movies on DVDs & other entertainment?

a) Yes

b) No


animations?

a) Yes

b) No

68