Ackermans signs R4.88m services deal with Unisys

Local retail giant Ackermans has extended Unisys Africa`s computer maintenance, upgrade and moving service contract for a further three years in a deal valued at R4.88 million.

This is in addition to the R3.5 million Ackermans invested in new computer hardware in 2003 to cater for new stores and upgrade existing ones.

George Zaverdinos, IT director at Ackermans, says: "Unisys ensures that parts and trained manpower are always on hand to keep Ackermans` systems available and that service level agreements are met."

Ackermans has over 330 stores around the country, staffed by over 2 500, people and uses technology as an advantage in the competitive retail market. Its expansion drive includes opening an average of 30 stores a year in recent years to grow market share, and this will continue through 2004.

This growth includes New Ackermans and Hang Ten stores, and the company has also launched the Home Comfort stores. Unisys performs all computer installations at these sites after hours and on weekends so that normal trading is not disrupted.

Regular operations meetings are key to achieving this in an environment that is undergoing enormous change and expansion. These ensure that operational information is changed into actionable knowledge so competitive advantage can be sustained.

Unisys has been required to maintain pace with Ackermans` rapid growth and adjust service levels every December to cater for Christmas trading.

"At Unisys we view our role in delivering service to Ackermans as that of a business partner rather than just a vendor," says Geoff Tuck, sales director, GIS at Unisys Africa. "As a valued client Ackermans expects a quality service, and it is willing to listen to advice which makes sound business sense. Unisys is proud to be associated with its ongoing growth and success."

Unisys offers a range of services, including infrastructure management, network optimisation, integration, infrastructure deployment and support. This service offers clients such as Ackermans a stable, reliable and secure infrastructure focused on desktops, servers and network infrastructure without the management overhead usually associated with maintaining a competitive IT environment.

Part of the service to Ackermans was the deployment of an electronic point-of-sale system that is essential to fast customer throughput, as was the introduction of high-speed thermal printers. The continual upgrading of equipment has meant minimal downtime at tills.