Lenovo Grows and Leads in Sales in the Croatian and Regional Markets

In the Central and Southeastern Europe markets, Lenovo achieved impressive results. The vendor secured the top position in the PC market with a 23.4% share in the latest quarter, according to the IDC, said Ivan Bozev, ISO Managing Director CSEE Lenovo, in an interview with ICTbusiness.

According to him, Lenovo maintains its leading position in Croatia with an impressive 30.4% market share in the same period. This reflects the strong consumer preference for the Lenovo brand and the strong relationship between the local branch of the company and its business partners.

What is the current state of the sales market of new computers, especially given global economic trends and changes in consumer habits?

Last quarter, despite macro challenges, we saw clear signs of recovery across the technology sector and our business. Our strong execution, operational excellence, and continuous investment in innovation enabled us to achieve Q/Q improvement in performance, further demonstrating our resilience. With that foundation, we are confident in our ability to resume year-on-year growth very soon.

We see clear signs of recovery across the technology sector, both at the WW level and in Central South East Europe. In the Central and Southeast European markets, Lenovo has achieved impressive market performance, securing the top position in the PC market with a 23.4% market share, as reported by IDC in Q2FY2324. Specifically, in Croatia, Lenovo maintains its leading position with a remarkable 30.4% market share in the same period, which reflects the strong preference of consumers for the Lenovo brand, and the strong relationship between Lenovo and its business partners.

Furthermore, on a global scale, Lenovo has experienced a return to growth, marked by noticeable quarter-over-quarter performance improvements, a robust business resilience strategy, and a diversified portfolio of growth engines. Notably, the non-PC business segment now constitutes 40% of Lenovo's overall revenue.

In addition to these achievements, Lenovo remains committed to innovation and has recently announced a substantial investment of an extra US$1 billion in Q1. This investment is geared toward realizing the company's enhanced vision of "AI for All" and expanding its range of AI capabilities and technologies.

Can you provide us with an insight into the latest innovations and technological trends in the computer industry that have shaped market demand?

Several trends continuously evolve and are likely to influence market demand in the industry for years to come. Companies that stay at the forefront of these innovations are better positioned to meet customer needs and remain competitive. These trends, such as AI and Machine Learning (ML), Quantum Computing, AR and VR are used in different sectors, from gaming and entertainment to training and education, Hybrid and Remote Work solutions, and many others, significantly shaping market demand.

While AI was initially a buzzword that dominated discussions at the beginning of the year, the latter half of the year has witnessed substantial advancements and practical implementations of AI technologies. Notably, Lenovo made significant strides in this domain during Tech World '23 by unveiling innovative AI tools designed to enhance both individuals' lives and the operations of businesses, including 

solutions and platforms. For example, the Lenovo AI Professional Services Practice helps businesses of all sizes navigate the AI landscape, find the right solutions, and implement AI quickly, cost-effectively, and at scale.

These developments reflect a broader trend in which AI has transitioned from a theoretical concept to a practical and impactful reality. Throughout the year, AI has found applications in various sectors, such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and customer service, demonstrating its potential to solve complex problems and streamline processes.

Lenovo's contributions in the field of AI underscore the company's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation. These AI tools are poised to drive improvements in efficiency, productivity, and user experiences, offering promising prospects for individuals and enterprises alike. As AI continues to evolve and mature, it is likely to play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the future of technology and business.

How does AI play a role in improving the user experience with computers? Can you give specific examples of solutions that facilitate the use of computers with the help of AI technologies?

AI technologies are integrated into various aspects of computer use to enhance user experiences, streamline tasks, and provide personalized solutions. AI's ability to analyze data and adapt to user behavior continues to drive improvements in the way we interact with computers and digital devices.

AI improves the user experience with computers by making interactions more intuitive, efficient, and personalized.

For example, some solutions leverage AI technologies to improve the user experience, such as voice assistants. These assistants can perform tasks such as setting reminders, searching the web, sending messages, and controlling smart home devices.

Lenovo announced in October, during the Tech World event, a significant example of how computers and AI can improve people's lives. They use computer vision and an original AI engine to interpret Libras, the Brazilian sign language, in real time.

Additionally, Lenovo announced the new Lenovo ThinkSystem servers powered by AMD Instinct MI300 Series accelerators, co-engineered to push the boundaries of AI and simplify adoption for all businesses. These servers combine powerful Lenovo engineering with AMD Instinct accelerators to enable businesses to harness the computational performance and energy efficiency necessary for impactful generative AI capabilities.

Furthermore, the Lenovo ThinkSystem platform will help deliver optimal performance for AI solutions across industry verticals including retail, manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare, and allow for greater extraction of insights to drive innovation using deep learning.

Given the ubiquitous digitization, how are companies like Lenovo adapting their products and services to meet the needs of modern consumers?

At Lenovo, we offer a wide range of products and services that cater to the diverse needs of modern consumers who are embracing technology trends, focusing on user experience, and addressing sustainability and security concerns to remain relevant and competitive in the digital age.

We have been adapting our products and services to meet the evolving needs of modern consumers in the age of ubiquitous digitization. This includes diversification of product portfolio, offering a wide range of products from notebooks, desktops, workstations, tablets, smartphones, accessories, services, servers, and integrated business solutions that allow consumers and businesses to cater to different needs in the digital era. We've also focused on mobility by adapting the design and functionality of our products and services to cater to consumers who prioritize needs for mobility and flexibility.

In addition, the security and privacy aspects are becoming increasingly important in response to growing cybersecurity concerns. We are including features such as biometric authentication (facial recognition and fingerprint scanning) and software solutions to protect user data and privacy.

How is Lenovo positioned in the region and what makes the company special compared to the competition in the local market?

The market dynamics have evolved over time, but Lenovo's positioning has remained consistent. As mentioned earlier, Lenovo holds a favorable position, both in the region and in the local market, thanks to several key factors. These include product diversity and an extensive range of

offerings beyond PCs, allowing consumers to find tailored solutions to their specific needs. This makes Lenovo a one-stop shop for technology. Moreover, we prioritize after-sales services and warranty support, which further enhances Lenovo's standing in consumers' preferences. We are also dedicated to fostering a more sustainable future through eco-friendly initiatives, aiming to reduce Lenovo's environmental impact and resonate with environmentally conscious customers. Of course, our business performance wouldn't be possible without strong relationships with local companies, and our business partners in Croatia, who help Lenovo customize its offerings to meet the specific needs and preferences of our customers.

How do global events and geopolitical changes affect the distribution and availability of Lenovo products around the world?

Lenovo operates as a global and diverse business with customers in 180 markets. Thanks to the flexibility, resilience, and scale of our global supply chain, we are confident in our ability to navigate through challenging times.

To what extent are ecologically and socially responsible practices integrated into Lenovo's business, especially in the production of computers?

Lenovo actively incorporates ecological and social responsibility practices into its business operations, including computer production. The company has set ambitious environmental goals such as reducing its carbon footprint, increasing the use of renewable energy, and minimizing waste in its operations. These commitments align with global efforts to combat climate change and reduce environmental impact.

Lenovo also places a strong emphasis on eco-friendly product design principles, striving for energy efficiency, recyclability, and the use of sustainable materials in its products. This approach minimizes the environmental impact of Lenovo products throughout their lifecycle.

We operate various recycling programs worldwide, allowing consumers to responsibly dispose of their old Lenovo products, and we promote the recycling and refurbishment of electronic waste. Additionally, Lenovo supports various community and social initiatives, including educational programs, digital inclusion projects, and disaster relief efforts.

How is the computer market expected to develop in the coming period, and what strategies do companies like Lenovo have to adapt to these changes?

Certain trends are expected to continue dominating the IT industry in 2024 and beyond. Lenovo's focus will remain on innovation and R&D to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, including AI and sustainable computing solutions. Customization and personalization will remain crucial, allowing users to configure devices based on their specific needs and preferences.

The importance of edge computing will grow as data processing moves closer to the source, reducing latency and enabling real-time processing for IoT and other applications. Flexible displays, foldable devices, and innovative form factors are also expected to gain traction, providing users with new ways to interact with computers. These trends, along with others emerging in 2024, will shape the evolution of the computer market and meet the demands of the modern consumer.