Plaisio Computers SA operates within the New Economy, specializing in Information Technology market, Office equipment and Telecommunications. Its operation is focused in tailor-made built-to-order computers and retail of a variety of software and hardware products, mobile and conventional phones and office automation and equipment. Plaisio Computers SA possesses a leading position in direct sales in the two out of the three sectors mentioned above, being the Information Technology and Office equipment, while in Telecommunications sector the growth is very significant.

Plaisio Computers SA operates through a unique multi-channel delivery system offering more than 15.000 products (Information Technology systems, Telecoms, Office Automation and Equipment) ready for delivery in a percentage higher than 96%. It is a well-organized sales net that directly covers the needs of the modern consumers, through three major channels:

• Brick and Mortar Channel (16 stores and a special department for large enterprises and organizations)

Every day, more than 10.000 visitors, visit Plaisio stores. The previous year more than 3.000.000 consumers chose Plaisio Computers SA to be informed of the latest products in the market and more than 1.500.000 trust the company with their purchases.

• Catalogue Channel (Sales through paper catalogues)

The second distribution channel of the whole sales net is sales through catalogues. This is a major differentiation of the company from its competitors. The company issues analytical catalogues by product category and delivers it through the newspapers network and its stores. With a total of 60 catalogues issued in more than 7.000.000 copies, Plaisio Computers SA promotes all its product categories.

• E-Commerce Channel (www.plaisio.gr , www.plaisiowap.gr , www.plaisio2b.gr)

Plaisio Computers SA being a pioneer commenced in May 1999 the E-Commerce sales channel in www.plaisio.gr in a time when the Internet penetration in Greek market was rather minor. The owner and CEO of Plaisio Computers SA had the idea of the online shop and took the whole initiative. Along with the company’s marketing manager, they decided to enter the new market primarily targeting the consumer market. The decision process was quite informal and very quick. After a few discussions and by taking into consideration that the company financially was in a very good position, the decision was easily made. This movement was totally aligned with the company’s strategy, which is to be the leader in the market, and provide every new option which becomes available to its customers.

The development and hosting of the Plaisio.gr Web Site was fully undertaken by the company itself. They provided all the necessary equipment, and hired the necessary employees. Additionally, there was some external help from consultants. Everything was built in-house and everything is still being handled the same way. The development of the initial Web Site lasted about six months.

Plaisio Computers SA currently possesses a significant experience in this area. The Company has succeeded to achieve managing of orders received through the Internet, with its the effective logistics systems that has been restructured and operating since 1998. The Company's E-Shop has completed 2 years of successful operation having:

• Over 11.500 on average visits per day
• 32.000 registered members
• Over 11.000 orders
• Turnover of 2.500.000 million Euros (from commencement)

The main advantage of the E-Shop is the way that it facilitates the user to browse an electronic catalog, select from a large variety of products and have his order delivered wherever he wishes within 24 hours, avoiding waste of time and transportation difficulty.

The B2B market makes the majority of its sales and profits. There are about 700 B2B customers that are actively and on a daily basis using the site Plaisio2B.gr. According to the company its competitive advantage lies in the customer service and after sales support. They want their customers to trust them and view them as their partners rather than their suppliers. Furthermore, Plaisio Computers SA tries to offer the greatest product variety in the best prices (they want their prices to be at least as low as their competitors’) with the best customer service and the best service quality. Plaisio Computers SA believe that they do offer all those they wish to and that they are far ahead of the competition.

In November 2003, Plaisio Computers S.A. opened their redesigned and upgraded digital store, www.plaisio.gr, where visitors are able to:

• Compare, on the spot, the specifications and prices of the products they are interested in.
• Assemble on-line a tailor-made PC, matching different parts, technical specifications and prices and at the same time calculate the final cost and installments scheme.
• Access the investors area to read any information relating to the company's transparency and communication policy with investors.

In addition, on-line customers can obtain updated information regarding:

• Their new help tool with the 37 most frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers.
• A complete presentation of their stores, catalogues, services and special B2B department.

Last, but not least, the radically renewed site also provides clients with the ability:

• To keep up to date with their shopping basket, the products they have selected and their total cost.
• To calculate, indicatively, the cost of delivery to customers in areas outside the Plaisio distribution network.
• To access personalized services, by examining their past and present orders online.

Plaisio Computers SA has also commenced operating in wap site market, providing complete solutions in m-commerce. The Company having the long experience of the Internet market, has easily adapted to the needs of the wap site market strengthening the presence of Plaisio Computers SA in the E-Commerce high-growth market. It’s quite interesting that the company launched a wap site, even though they knew all along that this could not be used by many customers and that there was a great chance of this technology to become obsolete shortly.

All electronic orders are initially sent to a central database. A specific employee collects them every 30 minutes and enters them in the central system. Apparently, there is no integration yet between the Web Site System and the company’s ERP (SAP) and Data Warehouse System, therefore the online catalogue does not represent the actual products available. Every order is verified by a phone call. An employee calls the customer and verifies that all information in the order is correct. This is the case because many of the orders that the company receives have mistakes and/or omissions.

The B2B case in entirely different in terms of the order processing. The corporate customer logs in directly to the company's ERP system, as if he was a Plaisio's Sales Representative. This gives him enhanced convenience and versatility, since he is able to see all available information of his account and have access to the Plaisio's resources, such as stock available.

The Chairman and Managing Director of the company, Mr.George Gerardos quoted: "Our success is due to the innovative for Greek standards multi-channel distribution and service organization: this multiform and flexible mechanism relies on sales through stores, marketing 18.000 different products purchased by 7.000 clients on a daily basis; 60 updated editions of product catalogues, printed in 7.000.000 copies; the personalized services provided through our call centre, which receives 10.000 calls daily and our e-shop, which receives 11.500 visits daily; the services we provide through 13 technical support centres to 600 customers daily; and our B2B department, servicing over 100.000 active corporate clients".

Thanks to its multi-channel distribution system, Plaisio Computers S.A. has succeeded in combining systematically a high growth company profile (increase in sales 20 times over over an 8 year period, from 1995) with that of a market leader in the direct sales of PCs and office supplies sector, with zero outstanding loans.