Technikon Pretoria selects NEC as single source hardware supplier

Technikon Pretoria has selected NEC Computers, through its black economic empowerment business partner Matsema, as the primary IT supplier responsible for its PC-based hardware requirements.

In line with this, NEC was selected to supply in excess of 600 units over a 12-month period with three-year on-site support.

Technikon Pretoria`s director of technology Chris Lambert said the technikon aims to formulate a partnership with a single hardware supplier that will bring advantages over the use of multiple vendors.

"The technikon sees the problem in a much broader perspective. We are in the business of knowledge transfer. In order to bridge the digital divide, we need to have access to resources electronically on desktops and access to the correct tools. In line with this, reliability has become a key issue," he explained.

The first phase of the roll-out involves the supply in excess of 100 NEC computers for installation at the technikon`s Electronic Resource Centre.

"The Electronic Resource Centre is not an Internet laboratory as such, but an environment where students are able to do assignments and search for information via the Internet within a library environment," he explained.

"Seventy-two percent of our students come from rural areas and it is therefore important that the resources need to be easy to use and most importantly, reliable. Students often do not even have electricity at home and therefore 24x7 Internet access is crucial.

"The demand on the resources in the Electronic Resource Centre is expected to be extremely intensive and as a result we needed to select a supplier able to provide a quick turnaround on service delivery," he added.

"Previously, we utilised multiple hardware suppliers, but found turnaround times were not up to standard. The quality of the computers supplied varied to the point that equipment was failing early within warranty periods," noted Lambert.

"In selecting NEC, we found them to be the most flexible in terms of pricing and customer service, and we closely evaluated the reliability of their product."

Lambert said in the case of multiple suppliers, the technikon was required to hold spares. " But we often found spares faulty on arrival. Even the tracking of multiple warranties had become a nightmare."

Matsema CEO Pierre Bester said his company selected NEC based on its unique value proposition. "Besides NEC`s aggressive pricing, we liked the commitment they have shown to solution-partners such as ourselves. One such example is NEC`s selective partner model which protects companies such as ours from competing against many with access to the same product," he explained.

"Being a tier-one worldwide brand, NEC is a good quality product and, having supplied these to other technikons, we are pleased with the reliability associated with such brands."

NEC Computers (SA) MD Fadi Dayoub added that NEC is fully committed to the partnership with Matsema and the technikon. "We see the educational market as a key area for NEC products in partnership with Matsema. We have a strong relationship with Matsema who also have a good reputation for customer service.

"Customers are looking for relationships, competitive pricing, better warranties and a supplier that is able to assist users in implementing a total solution. Matsema have the right profile to add value to our brand," he added.