GRiD Launches Customer-Direct Sales; New GRiD Direct Business Unit Expands Distribution Channel
WESTLAKE, Texas — April 12, 1993 — GRiD Systems Corp. Monday announced a new direct-to-the-customer sales channel, to be managed by a new business unit, GRiD Direct.
The new GRiD Direct business will offer a selection of GRiD notebook, laptop and desktop personal computers, optional peripherals, software and accessories via an 800 number at prices designed to lead or match the competition.
GRiD products also will be sold direct to corporate and government customers through GRiD Direct on-site account managers, or through GRiD Direct On-Line Express, a 24-hour electronic, on-site product order access service.
The GRiD Convertible, a pen notebook PC and GRiD's multimedia PCs also will be available through GRiD Direct.
''A wide variety of customers from small businesses to government agencies and large organizations have asked us to implement GRiD Direct to provide them with the high-quality GRiD systems that previously have been available primarily through our direct field sales force,'' Bruce Walter, president, GRiD Systems said. ''GRiD Direct will enable us to provide these powerful systems even more price-competitively to a wider customer base.''
In addition to the full GRiD Direct product line, On-Line Express features more than 9,000 other items for customers, including printers, software and peripherals. Accessories also are available from such industry leaders as Intel, Microsoft, Novell, Lotus, Software Publishing and Xircom.
Rosendo Parra, a veteran GRiD manager, has been named vice president, general manager for GRiD Direct. Parra was previously vice president, government systems, international sales, and alternate channel sales.
GRiD announced plans to support the GRiD Direct sales effort aggressively with a combination of print and direct mail advertising, and telemarketing directed both at existing and potential customers. GRiD Direct also is issuing a product catalog describing the systems to be sold by the new business unit. Catalogs, product prices and other information are available by calling 800-934-GRiD (4743) or by fax to 817/347-7679. Products are available through GRiD Direct immediately.
''GRiD began experimenting with direct sales earlier this year, and as it proved very popular with our customers, we have decided to broaden the effort to include a larger range of products, software and accessories,'' Parra said. ''As products are added to the GRiD family of rugged, high-quality PCs and accessories, many will become available through GRiD Direct.''
GRiD Direct offers next-day, on-site service for desktop products, as well as lifetime technical support. Notebook products carry a one-year carry-in or mail-in service warranty through any of the 24 U.S. GRiD authorized service centers.
GRiD Systems designs, markets and services laptop, notebook, pen and multimedia computers and pen-based software development tools. GRiD is located at 7 Village Circle, Westlake, Texas. GRiD's products are marketed worldwide by GRiD, GRiD Europe and by authorized GRiD distributors and resellers. GRiD is a subsidiary of TE Electronics, the proposed manufacturing spin-off from Tandy Corp.
NOTE TO EDITORS: GRiD is a registered trademark of GRiD Systems Corp. Convertible is a trademark of GRiD Systems Corp.
The absense of a TM or R in connection with the marks identifying products of other vendors does not indicate the absence of registration of these products.
CONTACT:
GRiD Systems Corp., Westlake
Lauren Baker, 817/491-5369