Demand for mobile devices, especially smartphones, is increasing worldwide. According to IDC (International Data Corporation), one of the premier providers of intelligence for the telecommunications industry, worldwide shipments of smartphones reached one billion units for the first time ever in 2013.* Despite this upward trend in units sold, the average selling price continues to decline and the competition is fierce.

The pressure facing telecom hardware providers is twofold; while cost is always an important factor, speed to market is a growing challenge and becoming more and more critical a component. On average, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have five months or less to sell new products before their potential buyers turn their attention to the next best thing.

Therefore, in order to maintain market share and retain brand loyalty, it is imperative to optimize channels of distribution as quickly as possible. Thus, while not minimizing the need to get out to the mass markets, manufacturers must also focus on reaching emerging and niche markets to secure maximum value for all their devices.

With the marketable life span of a typical device being as short as it is, the speed at which a company responds to market dynamics will determine the success of a program and a company’s ability to extract the greatest possible value from its entire inventory – including devices that are at the end of their marketable life.

* See IDC’s press release.