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Last year held mixed results for local area computer retailers. Dwindling profits forced some to close their doors and others to file for reorganization. However, all but three of the companies on the San Diego Business Journal's 1989 list of computer retailers saw sales increase.
Two firms, Beta Business Systems Inc. and Inacomp Computer Centers, doubled their sales volume for the year over 1987 levels.
Sales for Beta Business Systems, which jumped in ranking from 12th to fourth on this year's list, increased to $10.8 million in 1988 from $5 million in 1987, an increase of 116 percent.
The list ranks companies according to 1988 sales volume.
"It was an awesome year for us," said Peter Woodward, Beta's sales manager.
Established locally in 1973 as a U.S. Navy supply house for typewriter ribbons and other office machine parts, Beta has been "serious about selling hardware for about three years," said Woodward.
As a result of Beta's relationship with the Navy, the federal government is one of Beta's major customers for personal computers.
"Our government specialists know how to go after a GSA (government) contract, how to get the product shipped and most importantly, how to get paid," Woodward said.
He credits Beta's tremendous growth last year not only to its government contracts but also to two other contracts, one...