Siltek Mid-Range Solutions (SMS) - a subsidiary of JSE-listed Siltek Limited, SA's largest IT Supply Chain Group - has become the only company in the country to offer an end-to-end IBM solution.
This follows the appointment of SMS's IBM Midrange division as the sole distributor of IBM's Point-of-Sale (POS) range.
Sylvester Motaln. MD of SMS says the appointment enables the company to enhance its IBM solutions and service offerings to the market.
"We have already had positive response to these developments. SMS is currently in the process of appointing several high profile organisation in the IBM solution provider arena as SMS's business partners to ensure an even more comprehensive service to the market in the future," he adds.
According to SMS IBM product manager Brandon Shaban, the POS market in SA is currently worth around R300-million, and is expanding rapidly as retailers move away from electronic cash registers to branded PC-based terminals.
"Our appointment as an IBM POS distributor strengthens our already close relationship with IBM. We have built up a joint allegiance through the channel and our Midrand warehouse handles all IBM's distribution and bundling as well as the pre-loading of software. With our logistics expertise and assembly capabilities, SMS can configure and supply a total solution for the end-user," he adds.
Shaban says Siltek Midrange Solutions is taking on the IBM POS range at an auspicious time.
"The range has just been significantly enhanced by the introduction of IBM's new 4614 Sure One POS terminal - a powerful, integrated, entry-level solution for retailers - enabling us to meet the needs of retailers of all sizes.
"The 4614 is very price competitive and should be a popular choice with retailers. We currently supply companies like CNA and Queenspark with terminals and expect demand to increase in the coming months as retailers move towards fully computerised systems' management," he adds.
SMS also carries a wide range of POS accessories, the 4610 sure-mark printer, as well as the 4695 touch terminal.
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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.
The Siltek Specialist Distribution division consists of: Silgraph, Chemetrix, Siltek Healthcare Services, Siltek Telecoms, and Siltek Midrange Solutions incorporating Geniprint, C.Itoh Electronics Africa and IBM Midrange Solutions.
IBM 4614
The new IBM 4614 Sure One POS terminal offers a simple solution for running off-the-shelf and custom applications to assist independent retailers to maximise profit. Its compact design offers cash, credit and debit transactions as well as inventory control and customer information. It can also handle diverse applications - from checkout to back-office management.
It is supplied as a combination cash register with a 266MHz P2 in one compact, convenient package. It consists of a monitor, receipt printer, cash drawer, customer display and magnetic card reader. Users have a choice of mono or colour monitors with either an impact or thermal printer to match.
The terminal has eight communication ports to which a scanner, scale and cheque reader can be connected if required. The 266Mhz processor has 32 MB of battery-backed non-volatile memory. Its open platform allows various OS's to be run including Windows 95/98 or NT. It is also Y2K and Euro currency ready.