TallyGenicom`s appointment of Big 5 as ASP already reaping rewards

Earlier this year, TallyCom, local TallyGenicom representative, announced the appointment of Big 5 Distribution as a local distributor of both hardware and consumables for the Tally and Genicom printer brands. Following the announcement, TallyGenicom has announced an upgrade in Big 5`s status to ASP.

Says Nick Allen, Customer Services Manager at TallyGenicom UK: "Big 5`s commitment to the TallyGenicom brand, its country-wide service infrastructure and extensive experience in the line printer and production inkjet space, were major criteria TallyGenicom took into account when considering Big 5 for ASP status."

However, the appointment signifies far more than TallyGenicom granting Big 5 the authorisation to provide a repair centre and support for the Tally and Genicom brands in SA.

"Because our ASPs are essentially an extension of our company, we choose them carefully and then support them with the relevant credit underwriting to ensure that spares can be kept on-site at the partner`s premises. This ensures that our partners` service representatives and engineers are able to respond quickly to any issues that arise," Allen says.

In terms of skills development, TallyGenicom provides high-end training to its ASP partners. "On a regular basis we send a training team to SA, aimed at ensuring that engineers not only have the technical knowledge required to support and repair existing products in the field, but all new products rolling down the line during the course of the year. This training strategy has been integral in TallyGenicom being able to provide the same high-level of service customers gain access to anywhere else in the world.

"ASPs not only provide support and repair services, but are responsible for the warranty process in the local market," Allen explains.

"Because our line printers are built to be reliable, most users find their printers outlasting the warranty period by a huge margin. Once the warranty has expired, most customers sign maintenance agreements with our ASPs, thus providing an important value-add for our customers and the ability to build closer relationships with our ASPs."

Sylvester Motaln, chairman of Big 5 Distribution, says his company`s appointment as an ASP has resulted in a substantial boost to the service presence offered to TallyGenicom customers in SA. "Our national footprint for providing services has enabled us to begin playing in the end-to-end solutions space, a move that has already begun reaping rewards."

Big 5 also recently acquired the TallyGenicom portion of Tech-Nique Corporate Services, which was responsible for some of the service and support provided on the TallyGenicom brands in SA.

With many new maintenance agreements signed in the past few months and a couple more on the cards for the coming year, Motaln says its ASP status will drive the business from strength to strength.