A company called Solv has been established in a bid to help smaller companies fix their PCs and save them the drag of taking them back to the shop.
Riaan Swart, MD and founder of Solv, says the company - which started in February - wants to change the mindset of people having to take hardware back to the shop when it breaks. "It's an extension of online retail and the convenience associated with it."
Swart adds that the company is also focusing on creating smart homes by encouraging the use of smart technology. Mobile devices are soon to become the remote link to our homes, think alarm systems, light switches, garden sprinklers etc. We're focused on positioning ourselves at the forefront of this technology and setting up the devices for our clients."
Solv, based in Belville at Tygervalley Waterfront, currently employs eight staff, but Swart says the company aims to hire account managers to join its technical team, which includes a dedicated technical and account manager to oversee its non-governmental organisation (NGO) base.
Swart notes it launched the NGO offering a month ago, and it currently seems to be the fastest-growing arm of its business. "There are more than 100 000 registered NGOs in the country; so many of them fail due to inefficient technology. Our aim is to help resolve this by offering IT support at a reduced rate."
However, it has identified the home market as the one having the biggest potential. Says Swart: "According to a study by Grand View Research, the global smart homes market is expected to reach $47.61 billion by 2020."
Although SA is a bit behind with technology, it has no doubt that smart homes will be adopted here, and Solv wants to be at the forefront of that trend, Swart notes.
Currently, Solv offers remote and on-site repair services as well as connecting smart devices. Swart notes each client's needs will vary. "There is no point building an expensive system that will never be used because it's too complicated and daunting."
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