Johannesburg, 30 Nov 2001
Systems distributor Comztek is showing the channel it is serious about retail distribution - two days after unveiling its retail division, the company today announced it has been appointed exclusive distributor in the retail sector for graphics and publishing software vendor, Adobe and sole distributor in retail for the world`s second largest global gaming player, Vivendi Universal.
As from Monday 3 December, resellers can place orders with the already up and running Comztek retail division.
Paul Conradie, managing director of Comztek, says they had identified Adobe some time back as a potential partner.
"The Adobe range, which includes such dominant brands as Photoshop, Acrobat, InDesign Illustrator and GoLive, fits extremely well with our communications and software offerings. We are always looking to add value for our customers, and we believed that Adobe, with its leadership in the graphics and publishing software environment, would fit the profile of our resellers.
"From Adobe`s perspective, we`ll be able to provide the company with the opportunity to access a broader market, including traditional communications and systems resellers."
Commenting on the agreement, Andrew Lindstr"om, Adobe South Africa country manager, says Comztek was appointed following a rigorous selection process, involving financial, legal and sales criteria.
"Adobe`s strategy within emerging markets is to appoint an exclusive distributor, so obviously our selection process has to be all-embracive. South Africa is an important market to us, and after discussions with 7 potential distributors, including niche players, we selected Comztek, with its broad customer base and a very clear, retail business model and strategy.
"We believe Comztek has the right staff with a wide customer base, which enables Adobe to retain our dominance in the publishing and graphics market. Through Comztek, we will be able to cover both the corporate reseller market and the retail environment," says Lindstr"om.
Vivendi Universal, a $74-billion turnover company and the world`s second largest gaming company, is to use Comztek as a means to substantially grow its South African market-share.
"Locally, we have the largest market-share in the gaming and educational software retail space, through household brands such as Blizzard, Sierra and Knowledge Adventure. Our offerings range from budget brands right through to the premium products, which is one of our success factors," says Karen Watson, regional manager Asia Pacific.
Watson says she is confident that Vivendi has chosen the right partner in South Africa, following talks with 11 potential distributors.
"The Comztek retail division is a very experienced, dynamic and tightly knit business unit, which is what we are looking for. This, combined with the financial stability and vision of Comztek will, we believe, ensure success in the future.
"We are launching one of our key games, Warcraft 3 next year, which will see over 25 000 units shipped to SA - the biggest ever day one launch in gaming in South Africa, and we need a partner that is able to support and back us - we believe we`ve found this in Comztek.."
Conradie says Comztek investigated Vivendi because of its standing in the retail market and the gaming industry.
"As is our policy, we only look at blue-chip products and partnering with companies that are leading-edge. Corlette Wessels, sales manager of our recently formed retail division, advised us that through Vivendi we could achieve critical retail mass and once we entered into discussions with Vivendi, we realised it was an opportunity for Comztek."
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