ProScan Group, leaders in supply chain, automated data collection and mobile computing technologies and solutions, announced the formation of iData Distribution, to focus exclusively on servicing the reseller channel throughout southern Africa.
ProScan Distribution, a division in the group, has been rebranded as iData Distribution and a separate company formed as of 1 April 2009.
The formation of iData Distribution is in line with the group's strategy to separate its direct and indirect business, the first phase of which was the formation of two divisions in March 2008 - ProScan Enterprise Mobility and ProScan Distribution. ProScan Enterprise Mobility will continue to deliver total mobile computing, bar coding, and RFID solutions to end-user customers across southern Africa, sourcing its hardware products from iData Distribution.
ProScan Group's Managing Director, Andrew Fosbrook, comments: "Since the inception of ProScan in 2002, we adopted a go-to-market mixed model, whereby we sold products through channel partners, as well as directly to large corporate customers. As the automated identification market matured, it necessitated the separation of the businesses to avoid conflict of interest, and meet the increasing demands and complexities in the channel and end-user markets."
Both businesses will run separately with their own business strategies, personnel, management and locations. iData's head office will remain in Jet Park, Gauteng, and ProScan Enterprise Mobility will move to new premises in June this year.
Fosbrook adds: "iData's new slogan, 'always delivering more', encapsulates the essence of the new company, which is to distribute best-of-breed automated identification and mobile computing technology, allowing our channel partners to provide a comprehensive data collection solution to the market.
"In order for our channel partners to do this effectively, iData will commit dedicated resources to grow the channel, enhance partner programmes, as well as improve pre- and post-sales' support.”
According to Fosbrook, iData brings decades of intellectual capital and knowledge to its channel partners on how to implement this specialised technology in the real world, to increase business efficiencies and reduce costs.
"Due to the nature of automated identification technology, there is a strong need for pre- and post-sales support, as well as integration skills. We also have vendor-accredited workshop repair facilities in Johannesburg, to ensure this critical equipment is fixed timeously to minimise downtime. All these services and skills wrapped around our products allow our channel partners to provide their services in a cost-efficient manner, with the assurance that they are totally supported."
iData will distribute a broad range of global brands of bar coding, data collection, RFID, wireless networking and mobile computing technologies in southern Africa. Product lines include Datalogic, Datamax-O'Neil, DRS, Intermec, Microscan, Seagull Scientific and Teklynx.
"With our intent to be the recognised leader in the distribution of automated identification and mobile computing technology industry," says Fosbrook, "we look forward to going beyond product distribution by delivering a range of invaluable services that support the business growth of the reseller channel across the region."
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