VIP Customer Newsletter - Issue 16

NEWSLETTER

www.vip-computers.com/uk

Sales: 01925 286 900

ISSUE 16 JAN 20 MAR

22

“

I’m pleased to report that, our good news story we’ve been delivering throughout the year, goes on, as we’ve continued to outperform our budgets in 2022. Overall, the quarter has been really strong and we’re currently tracking at 19% above target.

Like many of you, we’ve seen a few challenges during March, with end user demand of nonessential items dropping off. The causes of which being the sharp increases in the general cost of living, with fuel and energy prices rising significantly, the uncertainty around the war in Ukraine and people finally being able to book holidays.

That doesn’t quite tell the full story in the IT components sector however, as we’ve also seen the realigning of market pricing for CPUs and graphics cards, which invariably leads to hesitancy in spending, while the market resettles.

One big change, since my last update, is that we’ve made a number of strategic vendor additions, to strengthen our portfolio over the past few months. We’ve bolstered our case, cooling and PSU offering with the introduction of Corsair, MSI and Cougar and with that, are confident VIP can now say we offer a best-in-class category, with vendors that are highly regarded in these areas.

Corsair also adds to our PC gaming peripheral portfolio, as we now boast two of the leading brands (with Razer) in this space, as well as adding to our memory and SSD offering.

The addition of GEO takes our devices offering up a level. By adding the 2021 Microsoft Device Partner of the Year and the UK & Europe’s largest OEM device brand in Geo Computers, we now have the perfect device partner to take you forward in 2022. GEO have strong sales in the likes of Argos, Amazon and Very already and are keen to invest in both our business and yours, to help drive sales further, so make sure to speak to your account manager for more information.

If you are a partner of SYNAXON, you will be pleased to know that you can now view VIP’s full product portfolio within the EGIS platform and utilise it as a buying platform to purchase from VIP, following our recent integration.

We took part in a great Q&A session with Phil and the Tech for Techs team in February, reintroducing VIP to the independent space, as we come out the other side of covid restrictions. The engagement on the night was fantastic, with lots of good questions being asked of us. We encourage you to continue this dialogue with us moving forward via your account managers or directly with me. We saw some good numbers watching live and if you missed the live show, it can be watched here.

Next Quarter…

We’re heading into B2B peak season, where spend in this sector ramps up, as budgets reset for the new financial year and businesses plan for rollouts over the summer. We expect to see strong sales via this, especially on the likes of large format displays, monitors, devices, and Windows 11.

As AMD’s largest distributor in Northern Europe, we’re also excited for their new releases, coming next month.

Our ERP scoping project is well underway, moving forward with our chosen provider to modernise and improve the services that we offer to you, our customer. The fruits of which, we expect to see summer of next year.

We have a few more live shows scheduled during April and May with Tech For Techs and we will be at the Tech Max event in June too. As such, you have plenty of opportunities during the upcoming quarter to continue engaging with us and we’d love to see you all at Tech Max, so make sure you stop by and speak to us.

Finally, with us going into the last quarter of our financial year, planning is underway for the next one. This includes finalising our aims & financial targets as well as then organising what investment needs to be made, in order to deliver these. As always, we’re constantly looking to improve and grow. As such, any feedback or ideas you have for us here, would of course be welcomed.

~

Elliott

Sales Director

”

Powerful.

Productive.

Profitable.

Available with Windows 11 • It’s profitable for resellers with great sales opportunities available.

Windows 11 was built with useability, efficiency & security in mind, reimagining the way a PC should work.

• Stay productive with a fresh perspective & maximise productivity.

• Instantly connects users to the people they care about.

• What you need, when and where you need it.

• The latest in PC gaming performance.

Windows 11 has been beautifully simplifed.

VIP Computers recommends Windows 11

With a streamlined UI & that’s a great thing.

• It’s got a fresh new feel and tools that make it easier to be efficient.

• Focus on what’s important: so you can get the job done, communicate & collaborate with ease.

• Stay productive with a fresh perspective – Less noise, clutter, or chaos.

• Easily access the news, information, and entertainment faster with new Widgets.

Windows 11 can improve the speed of your PC via multiple performance benefits available, such as memory management for apps tuning in the background.

It’s easy to upgrade.

Check your system compatibility Download PC Health Check App

All you need is: • A recent 1GHz processor.

• A prebuilt laptop or PC manufactured

after 2016 when Microsoft enabled the TPM requirement in Windows 10.

Most off-the-shelf motherboards from the last few years come with firmware TPM. Users will be able to adhere to the Windows 11 TPM 2.0 requirement by enabling the firmware TPM within the motherboard BIOS.

It’s profitable for resellers.

Refresh: Upgrade the processing, graphics & storage power of existing devices.

Device refresh: A new device built by you, with advanced processing capabilities & features like touch and pen.

Services attach: Cloud-based deployment, management and support including zero-trust ready identity & security services.

VIP Computers recommends Windows 11

Microsoft Unlicensed Reseller Report Form.

Ready when you are.

Windows 11 is powerful for employees, consistent for IT and secure for all.

• Simple, yet powerful with snap layouts.

• Easy and consistent with cloud

management.

• Microsoft Teams and Teams Rooms integration.

If you suspect a website may be selling unlicensed counterfeit Windows 11 software, report it anonymously here.

Report.

PC Mag “A radically modernized, more consistent design for Windows belies what it is really more of an evolutionary update to the world’s most popular desktop operating system.”

Tom’s Guide “Windows 11 refines what’s good about Windows 10 without changing too much about Microsoft’s operating system in the process. Many of the new features can help you be more productive — once you learn how to use them.”

Expert Reviews “One of my favourite things about Windows 11 is how snappy it feels. It boots quickly, and when you’re using the Start menu or Explorer, windows seem to spring up and respond to your input with impeccable promptness. Search results come up almost instantly, too.”

VIP Computers recommends Windows 11

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Windows 11 is the most secure version to date.

It’s built with Zero Trust principles for the new era hybrid work.

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Windows 11 Pro

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VIP UK is your destination for genuine Windows 11

VIP Computers recommends Windows 11

Join us live with Phil Griffiths at Tech For Techs as we talk about...

- Opportunities available with Windows 11 for resellers.

- The benefits to you and your customers.

- Useful tips and tricks.

- How you can take advantage of the market to make it profitable for your business.

Join us Live at 8.00pm on Thursday 7th April.

Where to watch?

Or watch the podcast at your leisure

Win £50 Amazon voucher Tune in and enter your details when prompted

Philips Momentum Monitors:

Taking Gaming To the Next Level The premier flagship Momentum range from Philips Monitors are expanding to welcome new PC gaming monitors.

These Momentum M3000 and M5000 displays feature:

165Hz refresh rates (reachable under HDMI and DisplayPort connector)

M5000 SERIES

1ms fast response times for ultra-smooth, brilliant images.

Adaptive-Sync delivers tear free, stutter free and fluid gaming while the low input lag reduces time delay between devices to monitor.

Philips Momentum M3000: ideal all-around display for intense PC games This full package can really support PC gamers in playing, interacting, and livestreaming, but also for working and studying.

The Philips M3000 monitor series is designed to ensure an all-around performance for gamers. The models feature a 3-sided frameless screen which combines a new bold stand design with metal texture for a minimalist look that matches any environment, set-ups, and even home offices. The screen size includes both 24” and 27”, making it perfect for both small set-ups and multi-monitor configurations.

Philips 24M1N3200ZA VIP SKU 121610

Philips 24M1N3200VS VIP SKU 121612

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IPS LED display, ideal for image and colour accuracy.

VA display for high-contrast images with wide viewing angles.

BOTH FEATURE: - Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080).

- Ultra Wide-Colour technology provides a wider range of colours for vivid pictures.

- Height, swivel, and pivot adjustments for an ergonomic user experience.

Philips Momentum M5000: Go for the bold choice

Philips 27M1N5500ZA Nano IPS panel for crisp images with deep contrast levels and super-high contrast.

- QHD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels).

- Ultra Wide-Color and SmartImage HDR. - Built-in speakers.

PC and Console Gamers that are searching for powerful speed in a minimalistic look with a twist can rest assured: the Philips Momentum M5000 is the answer to their requests. Users can experience simply stunning performance, with models like the 27M1N5500ZA displaying ultra-smooth 170Hz refresh rates on a beautifully crisp Nano IPS panel.

The 3-sided frameless screens combine with a new dark chrome metal stand for minimalist set-ups that have personality.

COMING SOON

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Western Digital, the Western Digital logo, AllFrame and WD Purple are registered trademarks or trademarks of Western Digital Corporation or its affiliates in the US and/or other countries.

The microSD mark and logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of SD-3C, LLC. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Product specifications subject to change without notice. Pictures shown may vary from actual products. ©2021 Western Digital Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

4

Getting Through Difficult Times with The cost of living in the UK has risen to its highest level in 30 years. Energy, food and fuel prices have sky-rocketed, and they are expected to continue rising as the year progresses. Spurred on by the global shortages experienced during the pandemic, inflation was expected to peak at just above 7% in 2022 and gradually decrease as the year went on1.

However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has aggravated the situation and has instigated price increases that can already be felt in the oil, gas, and energy markets. The Resolution Foundation agrees and has warned that “the crisis in Ukraine has increased both the scale of price rises, but also the degree of uncertainty about their levels and duration”2.

While the end result is difficult to determine, currently inflation is rising faster than wages, with some experts anticipating a rate of inflation over 10%3.

Inflation Affects Everyone As you know, the economic uncertainty and energy price increases initially affect businesses, but as the situation develops, the impact will soon be felt by most consumers.

These inflationary pressures disproportionately affect households where essentials such as energy, food and transport form a larger percentage of their budget compared to discretionary items4. This will make affordable brands the preferred choice for customers.

While consumer technology is typically not an essential purchase, the pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of staying connected, especially during difficult times.

Supporting and nurturing our social networks helps us sustain a good sense of wellbeing and can help reduce worry and anxiety, while media and the arts can help us reconnect with the world and to keep our minds active6.

...reconnect with the world and to keep our minds active

Affordability Matters More Today, maintaining your connection to your social networks requires maintaining your connection to digital networks and soon, price will become an increasingly significant factor in more customers’ buying decisions. Consumers will be looking for brands that offer the most utility at an affordable price and will undoubtedly find that winning combination with Tenda’s aggressively priced networking solutions. Founded in 1999, Tenda has been committed to making an array of well-designed networking products that consumers can afford. From routers to POE network switches, Tenda has a cost-effective solution for any networking needs.

When In Need, Think Tenda When a single router doesn’t have enough range or signal strength to provide reliable Wi-Fi throughout a property, the Tenda Nova MW3 Mesh Wi-Fi Kit is a great solution, offering a blend of affordability and functionality. Unlike most mesh kits, that are aimed at the large homes of the wealthy and accompanied by premium price tags to match, the Tenda Nova MW3 is one of the cheapest mesh Wi-Fi kits on the market while delivering

performance and coverage that is better than a single router or the latest 802.11ac models7.

If your customers are looking for an extended wired connection, then the Tenda Gigabit Passthrough Powerline Adapter Kit PH6 is one of the simplest and cheapest things you on the market that can meet that need8.

If your customers are looking for a way to stay connected that doesn’t break the bank, look for Tenda networking solutions!

1. Martin, J., 2022. Living costs rising at their fastest rate for 30 years. [online] BBC News. Available at: <https://www.bbc. co.uk/news/business-60390527> [Accessed 15 March 2022].

2. BBC News. 2022. What is the UK’s inflation rate and why is the cost of living going up?. [online] Available at: <https:// www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12196322> [Accessed 15 March 2022].

3. House of Commons Library, 2022. Rising cost of living in the UK. [online] London: House of Commons Library. Available at: <https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9428/CBP-9428.pdf> [Accessed 15 March 2022].

4. Partington, R. and Kirk, A., 2022. In numbers: What is Fuelling Britain’s Cost of Living Crisis?. [online] The Guardian.

Available at: <https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/feb/03/in-numbers-britains-cost-of-living-crisis> [Accessed 15 March 2022].

5. Staying Connected? Phw.nhs.wales. 2022. Staying connected? - Public Health Wales. [online] Available at: <https://phw.

nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/how-are-you-doing/staying-connected/> [Accessed 15 March 2022].

6. Miller, O., 2022. Staying Connected If Vital For Mental Health.. [online] University of Kent. Available at: <https://www.kent. ac.uk/news/culture/27763/expert-comment-staying-connected-is-vital-for-mental-health> [Accessed 15 March 2022].

7. Joseph, C., 2022. The cheapest Wi-Fi mesh system yet: Tenda’s Nova MW3 is a bargain. [online] Tech Advisor. Available at: <https://www.techadvisor.com/review/tenda-nova-mw3-review-3678436/> [Accessed 15 March 2022].

8. Iliev, A., 2022. Tenda PH6 and PA6 powerline adapter review – Internet through the power cord?!. [online] LaptopMedia. com. Available at: <https://laptopmedia.com/gb/review/tenda-ph6-and-pa6-powerline-adapter-review-internet-throughthe-power-cord/> [Accessed 15 March 2022].

OR YL TA

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…let’s find out all about the boys.

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ABD IR IS A

GETTING TO KNOW...

If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

Abdirisak: Astronomy.

Abdirisak: If you don’t fail then you aren’t trying hard enough, My dad.

David: Japanese, I’m planning on visiting in a few years so would love to learn the language.

Elliot: Trading/Finance.

James: The Stock Market.

David: Don’t argue with your wife as you’re always wrong, my Dad told me that and it’s true.

Elliot: Don’t lose yourself in comparing yourself to others, do what is best for you. From my Dad.

Simon: AI and robotics. It’s the future!

James: “Don’t forget lads, one Evertonian is worth 20 Liverpudlians” – Brian Labone, former Everton Captain.

こんにちは

Simon: Never give up is what my Grandma always told me.

What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?

Abdirisak: Talk to my son, that always cheers me up.

Elliot: See friends/girlfriend.

James: Go to the driving range.

David: Eat usually, good food changes a bad mood every time.

Simon: Turn the banter up to max!

Laughter solves all.

SHOP NOW

SHOP NOW

SHOP NOW

Our very own Elliott Hodgeon and Carl Woods hosted a live Q&A with Tech For Techs in February!

The team talked about how VIP can support resellers, what our brand partners can offer you and what we’re doing to create a better experience for you, both now, and in the future.

It was the perfect chance to ask those questions you’ve always wanted the answer to.

It’s still available on the podcast, if you’d like to recap. Click here.

VIP SKU: 121287

COMING SOON

Norton 360 Deluxe

VIP SKU: 121715

Multiple layers of protection for your devices, online privacy features including our Secure VPN, plus Dark Web Monitoring§ – all in a single solution.

Opt-in to Cyber Safety.

Norton 360 Deluxe includes malware protection for up to 5 PCs, Mac®, Android™ or iOS devices, Secure VPN for 5 devices for online privacy, Parental Control‡ to help protect your kids online, SafeCam‡‡ to help block unauthorized access to your Windows PC’s webcam, Password Manager and Windows PC Cloud Backup.

BUY NOW>> ‡ Parental Control can only be installed and used on a child’s Windows PC, iOS and Android devices but not all features are available on all platforms. Parents can monitor and manage their child’s activities from any device – Windows PC (excluding Windows 10 is S mode), Mac, iOS and Android – via our mobile apps, or by signing into their account at my.Norton.com and selecting Parental Control via any browser, except Internet Explorer. § Dark Web Monitoring is not available in all countries. Monitored information varies based on country of residence. It defaults to monitor your email address and begins immediately. Sign in to your account to enter more information for monitoring. ‡‡Norton SafeCam features are only available on Windows (excluding Windows 10 in S mode, Windows running on ARM processor).

AOC GAMING G 3 S E R I E S M O N I TO R S : T H E A D V E N T U R E I S WA I T I N G IMMERSE YOURSELF IN ADVENTURE, DISCOVER YOUR DESTINY In gaming, the playing field has completely changed in the span of a few short years. In pursuit of increased performance and connectedness, allowing gamers to feel immersed in the game and to be the best of the competition, high refresh rate gaming (144 Hz+) and curved displays now define the “PC gaming experience”. AOC’s G3 series continues to carry the torch from the beloved G2 series to offer gamers what they need to get ahead of the game.

All models of the G3 series are equipped with VA panels, offering a 165 Hz refresh rate, levelling up from the common 144 Hz standard in gaming monitors.

Moreover, the Motion Blur Reduction setting reduces pixel response time to just 1 ms (MPRT). G3 models have very low input lag, so users’ actions can be seen on the screen almost instantly, without any noticeable processing delay.

Visually, the VA panels produce saturated, popping colours with an exceptional contrast ratio and deep blacks, great for watching movies or playing games with dark scenes, while their wide viewing angles of 178°/178° mean friends and family can join the fun.

The curved design wraps around you putting you at the centre of the action and provides an immersive gaming experience, as if you were sitting inside a race car.

The G3 series employs a tighter 1000R curvature in all models, surrounding the

user from the sides, compared to the subtler 1500R curvature in AOC’s G2 series.

The MVA (Multi-Domain Vertical Alignment) panel displays deeper blacks and a -high contrast for extra vivid and bright images.

These models are the most affordable of the bunch and perfect for budget-conscious gamers intending to improve their loadouts.

AOC CQ27G3SU VIP SKU 121067

• 2560×1440 QHD Resolution • 300 Nits Brightness • AMD FreeSync Premium & Nvidia G-Sync Compatible • HDMI 2.0 & DisplayPort 1.2 Connectivity

AOC C32G3AE VIP SKU 120547

• 1920×1080 FHD Resolution • 250 Nits Brightness • HDMI 2.0 & DisplayPort 1.2 Connectivity • AMD FreeSync Premium & Nvidia G-Sync Compatible

AOC C27G3U VIP SKU 120975

• 1920×1080 FHD Resolution • 250 Nits Brightness • HDMI 2.0 & DisplayPort 1.2 Connectivity • AMD FreeSync Premium & Nvidia G-Sync Compatible

What is it?

The VIP Partner Programme is designed to support our resellers whilst rewarding you for purchasing from VIP. Launched in March with Windows, we’ve given out more than £3,000 in rebates. Our aim is to expand and include more brands in the future.

New Streamlined Rebate Process

With even higher rebates offered on your Windows purchases:

Please contact your account manager to see if you’re eligible to join and earn rebates.

VIP SKU: 121531

COMING SOON

Talk to us, we’d like to collaborate with you!

To support our aim to ‘help your business grow’, we would like to find out what is important to you and how VIP UK can support your business in 2022.Speak to your account manager at your earliest convenience so we can collaborate for mutual success.

If it’s been a while since we last spoke to you, there’s no better time to speak to us as we have lots of deals available to help you buy smarter.

VIPUK

@VIPComputersUK

@VIPComputersUK

marketing@vip-computers.co.uk