Mike Cain, previously NETGEAR Development Manager within the Tech Data PC Components team, becomes the new dedicated Business Development Manager for Wearables; Mica Jakins, takes up the position of Senior Category Manager, moving across from a similar role within the Tech Data Consumer Electronics team; and Stacey Bliss makes a similar transition as Assistant Category Manager.
The team will work in close liaison with both the Tech Data Consumer Electronics and Tech Data Mobile teams, to ensure that both vendors and customers have access to the information, resource and support they need to maximise the growing potential of wearable technologies. Tech Data already offers a range of wearable devices from Samsung, Motorola, HTC, Alcatel, ASUS and Acer, and is planning to make significant additions to its portfolio in the near future.
Mark Glasspool, Director of Product Marketing at Tech Data, says: “The formation of the dedicated wearables team is a clear sign of our commitment to this market. We believe there will be enormous potential to develop our business in this area. The job of our new team will be to identify and address the opportunities and bring all the strengths and benefits we have to offer to bear in ensuring success for our partners and customers.
The potential extends to all areas of the market, Glasspool noted. “This is not only a consumer opportunity, there are going to be applications in the enterprise and SMB markets and also in the public sector. With the clear sales focus we have on each of these segments, and the Wearables team co-ordinating our efforts, Tech Data is well-placed to lead the way in developing this exciting and rapidly expanding new market.”
According to a recent report from CCS Insight, the global wearables market is set to reach $25 billion by 2019. The number of devices sold will triple to more than 245 units in 2019, up from 84 million units this year. The company expects the wearables market to be worth $15 billion this year with smartphones claiming 61per cent of total revenues and generating just under half of all income by 2019. While fitness trackers are expected to lead the way in growth terms, augmented and virtual reality headsets and wearable cameras are also expected to see strong increases.