Inacomp Boosting Its Computers as Pollution Fighters : Technology: Machines that let people work at home instead of commuting are offered as a solution to the Southern California smog problem.
It may take a stretch of the imagination to think that using a personal computer can help solve Southern California’s smog problem.
But Inacomp Computer Centers Inc. says that by using its latest home computer and working at home, Southern Californians can spend less time commuting, thus helping reduce pollution.
“We think this is perfect for the Southern California business environment,” said Richard Ryan, director of marketing for Inacomp’s regional headquarters in Garden Grove. “With the new environmental restrictions aimed at reducing commuting and women wanting to have children and work too, we think this is the telecommuter solution.”
Inacomp is promoting the IBM-compatible computer as an all-in-one machine for home-based businesses, with such features as voice mail, an answering machine, the ability to send faxes and a built-in telecommunications modem. Manufactured by little-known U.S. Integrated Technologies in Richmond, Calif., it sells for $1,995.
Inacomp, a computer seller with five sales offices in Southern California, will begin a regional marketing campaign today, starting with a pitch to a group of home-business owners in Irvine. The machine will be promoted as a dual solution for both entrepreneurs who operate businesses out of their homes and those who work for large companies but can do their jobs at home via computer.
In their sales pitches, Inacomp representatives will point out that large Southland companies must comply with ever-tighter restrictions imposed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District that limit the number of commuters traveling to company offices.
“Inacomp wants to highlight telecommuting as an air-quality solution,” Ryan said.
“In Southern California, where the commute distances are greater, it makes more sense to go to telecommuting,” said Donna Bonyun, an analyst for Dataquest Inc., a San Jose market research firm. “This machine may be pricey, but it has appeal.”
Inacomp began selling USIT’s Home Office Computer System, which is powered by an Intel 80286 microprocessor, last October.
“Everybody is jumping on the telecommuter bandwagon as a market opportunity,” said Carol Nolan, telecommuting manager for Pacific Bell in Los Angeles. “I would like to see something sold in modules so you could buy what you wanted and wouldn’t have to buy a fax machine if you didn’t want one.”
Inacomp, based in Troy, Mich., usually sells only major brand equipment from International Business Machines Corp., Compaq Computer and Apple Computer Inc. It picked the relatively unknown USIT because of the machine’s unique bundle of features, Ryan said.
The USIT machine will compete with home computers such as IBM’s PS/1, Tandy Corp.’s 1000RL, and Apple Computer Inc.’s Classic. But rather than focus on home users who may also use computers for education and entertainment, USIT is focusing on those who want a computer for business purposes.
“It’s nifty to put all those things together in a package,” said Eric Brysk, director of research for the computer consulting firm Technology Research Group in Boston. “But there are no breathtaking features here, and if it is successful it will see a lot of competition.” Nevertheless, Brysk said the marketing of the computer to Southern California telecommuters is a “great marketing pitch.”
Apple isn’t pitching its computers as safe for the environment, but the company does recognize that many customers want computers to work at home, said Ellis Goff, director of Apple’s regional reseller programs in Irvine.
“Sometimes there is no distinction between the home market and the home office market,” said Goff. “This company may be trying to create a perception that there is and that if you buy their computer you can benefit the environment.”
