After securing the distribution rights for Tally Genicom in late 2009, printing specialist Printacom reports steady growth for products based on its technologies.
Product manager Ruan Steenkamp explains that upon its restructuring, the assets of Tally Genicom were acquired by two separate companies: broadly, Printronix took over the line matrix technology and retained the Tally Genicom brand, while thermal and dot matrix printing went to Dascom.
Meanwhile, Printacom has invested in training and personnel to ensure continuity of support, maintenance and spares for existing and new equipment in the field.
“As a consequence of Printacom stepping in to take over the Tally Genicom agency to ensure some continuity of support for users of these printing solutions in Africa and South Africa, we now have an extended product range through the involvement of Printronix and Dascom,” says Steenkamp.
As part of the larger MB Technologies Group, which includes Tarsus Technologies and Advanced Consumable Technologies (ACT), Steenkamp says immediate assurance was available to TallyGenicom clients. “Knowing that a recognised industry player had stepped into the gap left by the restructuring certainly helped. In particular, Printacom is known as the printing distribution specialist, while ACT ensures that consumables across all vendors are readily available.”
Steenkamp makes mention of Kolok Unlimited, a Bidvest Company, and Kolok Namibia, companies which he says have ably supported Tally Genicom and Dascom-derived products with consumables throughout the changes of the past years. “In addition, Kolok Namibia is distributing the hardware, furthering the reach of these solutions into that country and other regions where it is active.”
More importantly, he says, the stature of Printronix and Dascom means an even higher degree of assurance for Tally Genicom clients. “There were a few challenges when the company restructured and Printacom stepped in to help ensure some transition for clients on the ground in Africa,” he confirms.
“That has given way to the point where we are winning new business for solutions based on Tally Genicom technology on the strength of our reputation and the backing of stable vendors.”
Line matrix printing is used predominantly in industrial settings for high-volume printing of reports; Steenkamp says Telly Genicom carved out a reputation for extraordinary reliability and performance even in the humid, dusty and demanding environments found across Africa.
“However, line matrix printing, while still an absolute necessity for an enormous number of companies, is a niche solution,” he notes.
In business since 1974, the California-based Printronix is stable and profitable, he explains. Printronix was Tally Genicom's closest competitor and is itself a specialist in niche print solutions. “That means a great fit for the line printers, where the technology of both companies comes together to create an even better line of Tally Genicom-branded devices.”
Meanwhile, China based Dascom has integrated Tally Genicom thermal and dot-matrix printers and printer technology into its line-up. These are marketed under the Tally and TallyDascom brands, says Steenkamp, and are finding favour locally in thermal printing applications such as point of sale and in the logistics industry. Again, the company is a specialist provider of niche print solutions with a broad customer base and sound prospects.
The reliability and performance historically associated with Tally Genicom is being carried forward by these vendors, says Steenkamp, while Printacom is developing the channel and markets for the product.
“Structures are in place for sales, service, spares, maintenance and repair across the country, but we are looking at growing that channel. Africa, and in particular the SADC region, holds potential as there is a ready market for these products, so we are also working at extending our reach further,” he adds.
“We have enjoyed some successes with logistics companies and are seeing a resurgence of interest in these solutions, which continue to offer high performance and some of the lowest failure rates in the industry. It has been a challenging road since 2009, but the legacy of Tally Genicom continues to move forward,” he notes.
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