Johannesburg, 26 Feb 2015
Bytes Managed Solutions (Bytes MS), a division of the Bytes Technology Group and a wholly-owned subsidiary of JSE-listed Altron, has successfully completed an installation roll-out of more than 11 000 signature pad units across 1 200 Edcon stores in South Africa. In addition, the migration includes a three-year support contract for both the signature pads and the back-end system.
The roll-out was originally scheduled for completion over four months, beginning in September; however, after the start date was moved to October, Bytes MS concluded 100% of the roll-out within two months over one of the retailer's busiest trading periods. Bytes MS will also be responsible for the in-store support of the units over the next three years.
With over 1 300 stores throughout South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, Edcon initiated a migration towards paperless transactions - specifically for digitally authenticating clients' signatures when purchasing goods, or opening new accounts - in line with stricter financial regulations.
According to Martin Visser, Edcon Group Services Integration Manager (IT), the efficiency of the Bytes MS project management team enabled an unexpected productivity gain at Edcon stores, rather than the anticipated loss in productivity, which improved customer experience particularly at the point-of-sale during the peak trading season.
"The roll-out has been an out-and-out success. I was very impressed by the management of this project by Bytes MS. There were many challenges presented beyond their control which were professionally handled. The Project Management Team's contribution at the weekly status meetings were productive, and critical to the overall success of the implementation," said Visser.
According to Bytes MS Chief Operations Officer, Fourie van der Merwe, the dual-faceted nature of the project - the installations and subsequent in-store support thereof - was ideally suited to Bytes MS in terms of capability, capacity and experience.
"We are proud to be collaborating on a project of this magnitude with Edcon - a client of serious repute," says Van Der Merwe.
"This venture epitomises the collaborative approach within the Bytes MS business. Internally alone, from the Project Management Office with its respective project management teams, the Business Intelligence team that scoped the technical suitability and resources of the project, to the dedicated Service Account Manager (SAM) that handled the clients' needs from inception through to completion, Bytes MS delivered in advance of the scheduled deadline, exceeded the expectations of the client, and ultimately proved itself as SA's premier end-to-end technology services and solution provider.
"As a services-led, software-driven and hardware-enabled organisation that markets, supports and maintains enterprise-wide end-to-end technology solutions to large enterprises in South Africa and Africa, Bytes MS continues to deliver bespoke solutions to a variety of clients," concluded Van Der Merwe.
Both Edcon and Bytes MS emphasised the success of the collaborative and results-driven approach that engineered the project's unexpected turnaround time, and suggested that the co-operation between the two companies will continue to strengthen into 2015.
Phase two of the roll-out will see Bytes MS managing the migration to the signature pads in neighbouring Botswana and Lesotho.
Edcon, with 2014 revenue of R27 billion, and whose primary brands include Edgars, Boardmans, Redsquare, CNA and Jet, opened its first Edgars store in Joubert Street in 1929, and was subsequently listed on the JSE in 1946.
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