Apple South Africa is to streamline its local presence by moving several of the company`s directly handled key services to its distributors.
This move is the result of Apple`s worldwide rationalisation. The company`s objective is to ensure a more efficient structure in order to respond more effectively to its customers` needs.
"While most vendors in SA are looking towards the direct model, and cutting out distributors where they can, Apple feels at this stage that investing in the distribution business will result in better coverage of the market," says Bruno Verolini, country manager.
"Since the beginning of the year, we have had two outstanding distributors in SDD and The Core Business. SDD looks after the high volume marketplace and The Core Business more specialised publishing, video and multimedia sectors. It makes sense for them, as well as our outsourcing partners, to work more closely with our resellers and provide the minute-by-minute service and support the channel deserves."
Both pre- and post-sales support will be provided by dedicated teams at each of the distributors, backing-up the resellers` sales and marketing activities with assistance in stock, pricing, product announcements and training.
The local company will leverage Apple`s worldwide marketing team to assist with the implementation of Apple`s global marketing strategy in the local market and will be supported by the dedicated European team based in Paris.
Apple South Africa recently strengthened its service channel by signing an agreement with a third-party training company that specialises in delivering technical product training to service engineers and also offers certain modules to Apple customers` IT staff.
Other Apple facilities, like the help desk and call centre, which have always been provided by outsourcing partners, will also be strengthened to ensure optimal customer service. "Our intention is to continue to deliver world-class service, both in pre- and post-sales situations," notes Verolini.
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