Siltek Distribution Dynamics (SDD), the focused IT Distribution Company in the Siltek IT Supply Chain Group, has changed its focus from being a traditional assembly line to a fully-fledged configuration centre.
The aim, according to Andre Louw, National Technical Services Manager at SDD, is to assist the business partners in providing turnkey IT solutions to their customers.
"The operation of the configuration centre is structured around the principle of each of its technicians building and configuring an entire PC or Server to the requested customer specification, as opposed to the traditional assembly line where one person is responsible for installing only one component in the sequence of the assembly process."
During this configuration or customisation process, functionality to optimum performance, and compatibility with all installed hardware and software is ensured, and signed off via a Quality Assurance process.
Linked to a research function, all problems are resolved prior to any order being shipped to the customer, making this totally transparent to the end user. "There can either be mass production or specific, specialist configuration, indicative of the flexibility of the centre," adds Louw.
"We also configure systems for our IBM, HP, Compaq and Toshiba divisions.
Our international vendors are totally comfortable with our facility and operation, and rates us first class," comments Louw. "Not only is this facility ISO 9002 certified, but by reviewing our processes and operation on a regular basis, we constantly strive to ensure that this is seen to add value to our customers, both internally and externally."
"We can produce entire turnkey solutions with printers, servers and PCs, delivered to the end user on behalf of our client, if required"
Recently the configuration centre has successfully managed and completed Phase One of a project for a single customer, which included specific configurations and delivery of more than a thousand PCs with all configurations taking place at the SDD Configuration centre. . "This process ensured that these systems were operational prior to delivery - to customer specification."
Louw is confident that the centre is able to run at much higher production levels. " In addition to SDD's own XYLO brand, we are currently also configuring solutions for a host of local companies and still have capacity to offer on our production line.
With a designed maximum monthly capacity of 15 000 machines, the configuration centre can comfortably take responsibility for the assembly, specialist configuration, quality assurance, packing, shipping and distribution of products on projects of this magnitude.
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SDD Boilerplate
Siltek Distribution Dynamics (SDD), the focused IT company in the Siltek IT supply chain group, is South Africa's largest broad-based distributor of information technology. SDD encourages black empowerment opportunities and is the partner of choice of several leading vendors. It distributes a wide range of 'best of breed' hardware and software products, as well as peripherals, components and consumables. SDD configures branded hardware and builds-to-order Xylo, its own range of PCs. With a backbone of 429 staff, SDD has branches in Gauteng, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Bloemfontein and Nelspruit. Outside South Africa, the company has partnerships in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Siltek Limited
Siltek Limited is the leader in the Southern African Information Technology (IT) Supply Chain with projected turnover of R3-billion in the year to end-June 2000. Listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Siltek comprises several complementary operating divisions, each of which is a dominant player in its niche area.