ABSTRACT In this modern and advanced world electricity play vital role in our day to day activities.

Where there is always a scarcity of electricity which leads to power cuts. This frequent power cuts raised the demand for the inverters, which acts as an alternate for electricity. This project focuses on studying customer preference towards Inverters. So my project focuses on studying the market of Inverters, where I have to make a study on different competitors and do an analysis. Then I have to proceed to exclusive retailer Rajam electrical and electronics assigned to me, where I have to do a day-to-day monitoring of the operations being carried in the store and I studied their organization structure and understood their process and studied the customer perception and their preference towards inverter. This project would help the organization to recognize and reduce the various gaps that exit between the dealer and the company, the dealer and end customer, the important variables which consumers do keep in mind while purchasing Inverter. All this will lead to the formulation of a strategy for business development for retailer, which will in turn lead to the business development of the organization.

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES CHAPTER TITLE 1.1 INTRODUCTION 1.2 Company profile 1.3 Need of the study 1.4 Scope of the study 1.5 Objective of the study 1.6 Review of literature 1.7 Research methodology I 1.7.1 Type of research 1.7.2 Data collection 1.7.3 Research instrument 1.7.4 Sample design 1.7.5 Sample size 1.7.6 Statistical tools 1.8 Limitation 2. DATA ANALYSIS &INTERPRETATION I I 2.1 Percentage analysis 2.2 Statistical analysis 3. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 3.1 Findings III 3.2 Suggestions PAGE NO

3.3 Conclusion APPENDIX REFERENCES

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION Inverter, is an electrical device that changes DC to AC. Modern Inverters use sine wave instead of square wave which the people like to have in their houses. Stand-Alone inverters can be used to convert DC from a battery to AC to run electronic equipment, motors, appliances, etc. It is better to minimize what you run on an inverter. To determine the maximum power you require, and the size inverter you need, make a list of all the equipment you will run, and the amount of time it will be in use. It is better to minimize what you run on

an inverter. Recently solar inverter is peaking the market. Competitors are getting increased day by day and so the prices are getting low. Indian power sector faces an acute shortage, which varies between an off-peak shortfall of approximately 10% and a peak shortage of approximately 15%. The increasing power deficit throughout the country is a major factor for the growth of inverter industry in India. The demand for inverters in India is expected to be robust, especially from rural and semi urban areas, where the duration of power cuts and load shedding is more, compared to what urban areas experience. Indian power sector faces an acute shortage, which varies between an offpeak shortfall of approximately 10 per cent and a peak shortage of approximately 15 per cent. Inadequate power generation and high transmission and distribution losses are important contributors to this problem. The increasing power deficit throughout the country is one of the major factors driving the growth of the inverter industry in India, which is a highly fragmented, competitive and growing market, with the presence of several branded products and suppliers from the unorganized sector. The Indian power inverter market was estimated to be approximately Rs 20,000-22,000 million in 2011-12, in terms of revenue. It has been projected that the inverter market will exhibit double digit growth rates during the next three to four years. This is likely to be the result of a steady demand from the domestic, small office home office (SOHO), small and medium enterprises (SMEs), commercial, industrial, and other sectors. The demand for inverters in India is expected to be robust, especially from rural and semiurban areas, where the duration of power cuts and load shedding is more, compared to what urban areas experience.

1.2 COMPANY PROFILE Rajam Electricals was founded in the year 1982. It has its main office in West mambalam and two branches in centre of the city. They are dealing with all electrical items and delivering valuable resource to the customer Mr.Rajasekar is the role proprietor of the company. They provide one stop store all the electrical needs of the residents of the respective area by delivering good quality goods and products to the customers. The retail store is

primarily focused on the local customer base. Rajam electrical and electronics sells wide range of products that includes DVD Players, Music Systems, Computer peripherals, Inverters, many house hold appliances and various electrical and electronic products. They sell the product of leading manufacturers like Luminous, Microtek, Su-Kam inverters etc., They also sell computer pheriperals manufactured by the world class manufacturers like Microsoft, Intel, Zebronics, nvidia, TVS etc., They are making turn over of more than 4,00,000 rupees per month. Who is the leading retailer of electrical and electronic products in the local market. They are focused on all the three class customers by providing products at reasonable and affordable price.

1.3 NEED FOR THE STUDY In this competitive market, it is necessary to study the customers preference towards purchase of Inverters. The preference of the customer varies on basis of different attributes and factors. The study helps to determine the factors and attributes that influence customer to buy Inverters. Which will help the company and the retailer in increasing their demand and sales. Thus, upon understanding factors, designing strategies for increasing sales can be made much easier. Because of increasing competition company has to analyse the customer preference and have to increase their demand based on it.

1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY This study help us to understand customers, preference and their needs in order to satisfy and delight the customer. The inverter industry is expected to witness many technological innovations in the coming years to cater to a larger number of applications and new categories of end users. The demand from retail showrooms and small offices is primarily for 1 kVA, 1.4 kVA and 2 kVA inverters. Demand from gas stations and petrol pumps, housing societies, automatic rescue devices used in lifts, Internet cafes, photocopier shops, etc, is for 2-5 kVA inverters. The banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector, which witnessed rapid growth over the last three to four years, is a major market for inverters in the sub-5 kVA power range. With such demand, the inverter industry is witnessing a gradual shift in technology and design to support more sophisticated appliances. The major application of inverters in the 530 kVA power range is prominently in industries for emergency lighting systems on the shop floor. In hotels and restaurants, clinics and hospitals, inverters are catching up as an alternative backup power solution for some non-critical applications such as emergency lighting in hotels and restaurants, various commercial applications such as escalator and elevator backup systems, and for running non-life support equipment in clinics and hospitals. In data centres and IT/ITES companies, inverters are used for supporting non-critical loads. Technical consultants, as well as engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) and electrical contractors play a crucial role in selecting an inverter as a power backup solution in higher power ranges. EPC and electrical contractors generally execute turnkey electrical projects. This study will not only help me as a student but it also assists to know the satisfaction level of the organization.

1.5 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY 1. To know about the customer preference towards inverter. 2. To identify the major factors which influence the purchase of inverter. 3. To know the source of information about inverter to the customer.

1.6 REVIEW OF LITERATURE Peter Drucker,1983,Need for measuring customer preference. Customers are too good to lose Lets keep them happy!Customer is the king In the era of cutthroat competition and economic recession, above axiom has more importance than ever before. Marketing starts with the customer and ends the customer . Kaulio, 1998,Customer focus is component in a total quality management approach. This paper presents a review of seven different methods for customer involvement in product development, of which quality function deployment is one as there support the involvement of customers at different phases of the design process, particularly in specification phase, concept development and certain prototyping. Lamb et al. ,2004, point out that consumers generally should engage in relatively extensive external search prior to purchasing an item. However, this view ignores the fact that information search is not free of costs. It takes time, energy and money and can often require giving up more desirable activities. Therefore consumers should engage in external search only to the extent that the expected benefits like a lower price or more satisfaction outweigh the expected cost. P.Syllambarasan, S.Rajesh, O.Shahul Hameed, 2009, A NEW SIMPLIFIED MULTILEVEL INVERTER TOPOLOGY FOR DC-AC CONVERSION, Stated in the report that a new multilevel inverter topology using an H-bridge output stage with a bi directional auxiliary switch. The new topology produces a significant reduction in the number of power devices and capacitors required to implement a multilevel output. The new topology is used in the design of a five-level inverter; only five controlled switches, eight diodes, and two capacitors are required to implement the five-level inverter using the proposed topology. The new topology achieves a 37.5% reduction in the number of main power switches required (five in the new against eight in any of the other three configurations) and uses no more diodes or capacitors that the second best topology in the literature, the Asymmetric Cascade configuration.

Al-Olimat, Dr.khalid, 2003, The Design of a Bi-level Input DC/AC Automotive Inverter Defined in the report that t he most important part of a generic inverter that
could be used for both types of electrical systems is the control circuitry that would allow the correct operation of the inverter at both input levels. Since current control techniques do not allow a wide range of input voltage except at a high cost, a method must be devised that would allow such variance. Therefore, significant effort is focused on the design of this circuitry. However, also important is the creation of a working model, namely an inverter, to fully test the control circuitry. The actual inverter can be a simplified model created only for the use of testing the control circuitry. Notice that this project will not necessarily produce a product that is directly marketable. Rather, ideas and techniques that are directly applicable to the design of marketable products will be produced and tested.

Piyus Mohanty, Sharan Sahoo, 2008-2009, ANALYSIS OF TWO LEVEL AND THREE LEVEL INVERTERS, Concluded in the repsrt that the shunt active power filter for three phase three wire system was modeled in MATLAB/SIMULINK and the simulations were carried out. The results achieved were satisfactory and within the permissible limits in accordance to IEEE standards. Similarly , the simulations for three level inverters was performed and the stepped output voltages were obtained. Proper control strategies for switching of the multilevel inverters were used .Care must be taken while implementing the switching strateg ies for it is vital in the desired operation of the inverters .The harmonic distortions present in the load current and voltage waveforms were observed and calculated through FFT analysis tool in Matlab/simulink

1.7 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: In every research we have to follow some methodology in collecting recquired data and analyzing it. The data collection was done in VASANTH & Co., for the purpose of my study on customer perception by using the following methods. 1.7.1 TYPE OF RESEARCH Research Design: Research design is considered as a "blueprint" for research, dealing with at least four problems: which questions to study, which data are relevant, what data to collect, and how to analyze the results. The best design depends on the research question as well as the orientation of the researcher. Descriptive Research has been adopted in this study. Descriptive Research Design Descriptive research has been followed in this study because the study aims at describing the situation as it exists at present and also to determine accurate characteristics of a particular object or a group. It is used to measure the behavior variables of people of subject who are under the study. 1.7.2 DATA COLLECTION Sources of Data: In this study both the Primary data and Secondary data are used. Primary data: The primary data was collected from the respondents using questionnaire. Secondary data: The Secondary data was collected from the companys official website and third party websites. Methods of data collection: Data was collected from the customers with the help of a Structured Questionnaire.

Data analysis method: The Data was summarized from the main study and was analyzed. Based on the results, conclusions were drawn and suggestions were given. 1.7.3 RESEARCH INSTRUMENT A testing device for measuring a given phenomenon, such as a paper and pencil test, a questionnaire, an interview, a research tool, or a set of guidelines for observation is called Research Instrument. The research instrument used in this study is a structured questionnaire. 1.7.4 SAMPLING DESIGN There are 2 types of sampling. They are probability sampling and non-probabilistic sampling. The non-probabilistic sampling used in this study is convenience sampling. Convenience Sampling Convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling technique where subjects are selected because of their convenient accessibility and proximity to the researcher. That is, a sample population selected because it is readily available and convenient. The subjects are selected just because they are easiest to recruit for the study and the researcher did not consider selecting subjects that are representative of the entire population. 1.7.5 SAMPLE SIZE: The Sample Size of this study is 100. Sampling area: The area of this study is Avadi, Chennai. Sampling method The study involves area sampling method. Area sampling method involves selecting a probability sample of geographic areas and selecting units or individuals within the selected areas for the sample. 1.7.6 STATISTICAL TOOLS A statistical tool used in this study is Chi-Square.

1.8 LIMITATIONS Due to time constrain the survey cannot be conduct on a very large sample size. As the research is carried out in Chennai, the result may not represent the same views as in the other parts of the country. Co-operation of the customers cannot be predictable plus the information provided by them is not always correct.

CHAPTER II DATA INTERPRETATION & ANALYSIS

Gender classification of the respondents

GENDER MALE FEMLAE NO OF RESPONDENTS 63 37 PERCENTAGE

TABLE 2.1.1 Table showing respondents classification towards gender

CHART 2.1.1 Chart showing respondents classification towards gender

male fem ale

37%

63%

Inference : It is inferred that 63% of the respondents are female and 37% are male

Age Classification of the respondents

TABLE 2.1.2 Table showing respondents classification towards Age AGE GROUP 20-30 30-40 40-50 50 AND ABOVE NO OF RESPONDENTS 75 13 9 3

CHART 2.1.2 Chart showing respondents classification towards Age

Inference : It is inferred that 75% of the respondents are from the age group of 20-30 and 3% from 50 and above.

Marital status of the respondents

TABLE 2.1.3 Table showing respondents categories towards Marital status MARITIAL STATUS SINGLE MARRIED NO OF RESPONDENTS 64 36

CHART 2.1.3 Chart showing respondents categories towards Marital Status

Inference : It is inferred that 36% of the respondents are married and 64% unmarried.

Occupation of the respondents

TABLE 2.1.4 Table showing respondents categories towards Occupation PROFESSION IT NON IT MEDICINE BUSINESS NO OF RESPONDENTS 28 35 11 26

CHART 2.1.4 Chart showing respondents categories towards Occupation

Inference : It is inferred that 35% of the respondents are from NON IT Background and 28% from IT background.

How long have you been residing in this area? TABLE 2.1.5 Table showing respondents residing period.

RESIDING PERIOD 0-2 2-4 4 & ABOVE

NO OF RESPONDENTS 32 21 47

CHART 2.1.5 Chart showing respondents residing period.

Inference : It is inferred that 47% of the respondents are residing for above 4 years and 32% are residing for 0-2 years .

What is the duration of power cut in your locality? TABLE 2.1.6 Table showing duration of power cuts. DURATION OF POWER NO OF RESPONDENTS

CUT 1-2 2-3 3 AND ABOVE

67 15 18

CHART 2.1.6 Chart showing duration of power cuts.

Inference : It is inferred that 67% of the respondents are facing 1-2 hours power cut and 15% for 2-3 hours .

How often do you face power fluctuation/ powercut in your house? TABLE 2.1.7 Table showing fluctuation of power cuts. POWER FLUCTUATION NO OF RESPONDENTS

< 3 TIMES A DAY 3-5 A DAY

75 25

CHART 2.1.7 Chart showing fluctuation of power cuts.

Inference : It is inferred that 75% of the respondents are facing 3-5 times power cut a day and 25% for <3 times.

What comes in to your mind when you think for power back up? TABLE 2.1.8 Table showing respondents preference on Power Backup. BEST POWER BACK UP GENERATOR INVERTER UPS NO OF RESPONDENTS 14 72 14

CHART 2.1.8 Chart showing respondents preference on Power Backup.

Inference : It is inferred that 72% of the respondents prefer Inverter as their alternative.

What parameters do you keep in mind before buying an inverter? TABLE 2.1.9 Table showing respondents preference on parameters of inverter. FACTORS TO BUY INVERTER PRICE BRAND POWER PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY NO OF RESPONDENTS 31 12 53

AFTER SALES NETWORK

CHART 2.1.9 Chart showing respondents preference on parameters of inverter.

Inference : It is inferred that 53% of the respondents choose Inverter by considering performance and quality.

What will be your average use with the inverter? TABLE 2.1.10 Table showing respondents average time of inverter. AVERAGE CONSUMPTION OF NO OF RESPONDENTS 58 18 24

INVERTER 3 TUBES & 3 FANS 5 TUBES & 5 FANS MORE THAN 5 TUBES & 5 FANS

CHART 2.1.10 Chart showing respondents average time of inverter.

Inference : It is inferred that 58% of the respondents use inverter for 3 tube lights and 3 fans.

Which brand of inverters you have heard of in the market? TABLE 2.1.11 Table showing respondents awareness towards inverter brands. INVERTER BRAND LUMINOUS SUKAM MICROTEK OTHERS NO OF RESPONDENTS 37 9 47 7

CHART 2.1.11 Chart showing respondents awareness towards inverter brands.

Inference : It is inferred that 47% of the respondents knows microtek inverters.

How did you come to know about them? TABLE 2.1.12 Table showing respondents source of awareness on inverter brands. HOW TO DO YOU COME TO KNOW NO OF RESPONDENTS INVERTER NEWSPAPERS TV FRIENDS/RELATIVES 18 43 39

CHART 2.1.12 Chart showing respondents source of awareness on inverter brands.

Inference : It is inferred that 43% of the respondents came to about the brand through TV advertisements.

What kind of use do you have? TABLE 2.1.13 Table showing respondents purpose of use of inverter brands. KIND OF USE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATE OFFICE OTHERS NO OF RESPONDENTS 81 18 1

CHART 2.1.13 Chart showing respondents purpose of use of inverter brands.

Inference : It is inferred that 81% of the respondents use Inverters for residential purpose.

How much money you can afford to spend to the inverter? TABLE 2.1.14 Table showing respondents affordability on inverter.

CHART 2.1.14 Chart showing respondents affordability on inverter.

MONEY THAT CAN BE SPEND ON NO OF RESPONDENTS INVERTER 13000-14999 15000-16999 17000-20000 41 15 44

Inference : It is inferred that 44% of the respondents spend 17000-20000 for Inverters.

What income group do you or your family come under? TABLE 2.1.15 Table showing respondents categories towards income. INCOME <150000 150000-450000 >450000 NO OF RESPONDENTS 21 42 37

CHART 2.1.15 Chart showing respondents categories towards income.

Inference : It is inferred that 42% of the respondents come under 15000-45000 age groups.

CHAPTER III FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS & CONCLUSION

3.1 FINDINGS 63% of the respondents are female and 37% are male. 75% of the respondents are from the age group of 20-30 and 3% from 50 and above. 36% of the respondents are married and 64% unmarried. 35% of the respondents are from NON IT Background and 28% from IT background. 47% of the respondents are residing for above 4 years and 32% are residing for 0-2 years . 67% of the respondents are facing 1-2 hours power cut and 15% for 2-3 hours . 75% of the respondents are facing 3-5 times power cut a day and 25% for <3 times. 72% of the respondents prefer Inverter as their alternative. 53% of the respondents choose Inverter by considering performance and quality. 58% of the respondents use inverter for 3 tube lights and 3 fans. 47% of the respondents knows microtek inverters. 43% of the respondents came to about the brand through TV advertisements. 81% of the respondents use Inverters for residential purpose. 44% of the respondents spend 17000-20000 for Inverters. 42% of the respondents come under 15000-45000 age groups.

3.2 SUGGESTIONS The Retailer can also provide solar inverter for the efficient usage of energy. Retailer can increase the quality of the inverter in order to attract the customers. The retailer must focus on better capacity inverters in lower rates in order to attract the customer.

3.3 CONCLUSION This project mainly focuses on studying the INVERTER market, where I had done a day-to-day monitoring of the operations of dealer, studied the organization structure. This project would help the organization to recognize and reduce the various gaps that exits between the dealer and the company, the dealer and end customer; the important variables which consumers do keep in mind while purchasing the air conditioner. All this will lead to the formulation of a strategy for business development for dealer, which will in turn lead to the business development of the organization.