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The IT industry really is a tough place to be, especially in the difficult economic climate that South Africa experienced following the melt-down in global financial markets in 2008 and contracting credit availability in the wake of the global credit crunch. Nobody escaped the impact of these events.
In the IT industry, there are other underlying issues that also make business a bit more of a challenge...
- The volatility of pricing, as technological developments tends to drive prices down, and margins and profitability get squeezed
- Then there is the fluctuating exchange rate, which takes prices up as the Rand weakens, but brings them down again as it strengthens, and can leave you with over-priced stock.
- Inflation is putting further pressure on profitability, as expenses rise at a faster rate than you can pass on to your customers
- For smaller IT businesses, especially those away from the major urban areas with a serious retail offering, the challenge is to deal with the big retail groups, with big budgets and big buying power, which are continuously expanding into the smaller cities and towns, and bringing their own brand of competition.
- Advertising is expensive, and results uncertain, but how else to increase market share?
- And then there is cash flow, always a challenge for smaller businesses, as you try to balance the risk of expansion with your ability to pay for the goods bought.
So... what is the answer? Part of the answer could be Vox Exchange
What is Vox Exchange?
Vox Exchange is a voluntary buying group operating in the IT and technology industry. It was established primarily to support the @lantic Internet franchisees and resellers, but now sees Vox Telepreneur and other dealers as an additional channel.
Its key objectives are:
- To co-ordinate purchases for its members, generating volume business for the suppliers that it signs up, with the pricing and margin considerations this implies for the members, and…
- For the suppliers that it signs up, Vox Exchange provides a diverse and geographically spread, channel to market to which they might not otherwise have had access.
- Provides a win/win situation for buyers and sellers
- Strengthens the financial viability of members, and helps them compete in a challenging market.
Vox Exchange was established in 2007. It is a subsidiary of the listed Vox Telecom Group, and is already supporting client companies of the Vox subsidiaries mentioned above, as well as some other IT businesses which have seen the benefit of the Exchange. It has established a membership base approaching 500 retailers and support service providers, and has signed up suppliers covering all the major national and international IT brands.
The Vox Exchange Strategy
The IT retail market in South Africa, and the support service industry that depends on it, is relatively under-developed compared to more sophisticated markets, such as Europe, UK and the US. In South Africa it is estimated that less than 20% of hardware sales are handled by retail, the bulk of the market taken up by the various arms of government, and big corporates buying directly from suppliers for their own end use. As the SA market matures and develops, and more and more users work on line and depend on computers for their regular work, study or play, so the demand on retail will increase… the potential is huge!
This is where Vox Exchange can help you bridge the gap... between possibility and reality!
Our key objective are to get our members the best IT pricing and service in the county, negotiate exclusive specials, keep you up to date on what is happening in the market and provide a single flexible credit line to those members who qualify.
And all this at no cost or risk to the member!
Why Join Vox Exchange?
Buying Power
- Vox Exchange is already a serious player in the SA market, with projected sales of over R100m in its second full year of operation
- We have listed the major national distributors, covering all the major national and international products and brands
- We are working with many brand owners and suppliers to secure negations on specials and promotions
- We get regular price list updates for inclusion on our member-accessible system
- Despite the consolidation of purchases which makes Vox Exchange so attractive to listed suppliers, members can still deal direct with these suppliers, and get the benefits by just quoting their membership number!
- We service the needs of retailers (end-user computers, printers etc.) as well as the more technical service providers (components, network software etc.)
- And if members do not want to deal direct, or need specific assistance, Vox Exchange staff are available to assist.
Advertising and Marketing
At a wholesale/dealer/service level
- Notification of exclusive specials from Vox Exchange
- Notification of periodic specials from suppliers/distributors
- Focus promotions on suppliers or products
- The Vox Exchange web site for on-line marketing and information
- Access to VoxShop
At a retail level
- For those members that qualify on account of volumes purchased, joint promotions to attract end consumers into their stores. This could include printed flyers, point of sale material, decals etc., as well as electronic communications.
- Selected joint promotions to @tlantic Internet/Vox Telepreneur customers to drive feet into the members' stores. These promotions are most likely to be electronic or web based.
- Bundled solutions, promoting hardware and @tlantic, Vox Telepreneur and other Vox Group products
Credit
- Credit will be granted to members subject to the approval of the Vox Exchange credit insurer, and at a credit limit determined by them.
- Use of credit is flexible, and may be used with any of Vox Exchange's listed suppliers, always subject to the residual credit available at the time of order
- Checking of credit available is done electronically and automatically, and will not impact the order process unless there is no credit available.
- Payment terms are 25 days from statement (penalties for late payment)
- All billing and payments are channeled through Vox Exchange... one account, one payment each month. Simple!
Business Success
The key to business success is always with the entrepreneur who is driving it... but Vox Exchange can help...
- Increase sales and profitability in your core business
- Advertising, information and support that you would not normally get
- Coordinated promotions bringing IT hardware, internet and telecommunications to your customers
- Improved cash flow
- More financial stability, and the ability to better compete with the bigger retailers
Signing up
- There is no cost, and no risk
- You can opt out at any time
- So... Just do it!
- Go to www.voxexchange.co.za and notify us of your interest. We will get back to you
- Send a fax to 086 524 7778, and we will get back to you.
- Phone 087 805 1690 and our admin people will get you on the right path.
We look forward to hearing from you, and to being of service!
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Intel Celeron M575 (2.0Ghz)
2GB DDR@ 667 (1*2GB) Memory
160GB Hard Drive, DVD Write
15.4"WXGA with Crystalbrite
0.3MP Acer CrystalEye Camera
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M
Wireless WiFi 802.11b/g & 10/100Lan
Microsoft Vista Home basic
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Intel Dual Core T3400 (2.16Ghz, 1MB, 667MHz)
2GB DDR2 667 (1*2GB) Memory
250GB Hard Drive, DVD Writer
15.4”WXGA with Crystalbrite & webcam
Intel Graphics media Accelerator 4500M
Wireless WiFi 802.11b/g & 10/100Lan
Microsoft Vista Home Premium
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