The distribution contract includes warehousing, fulfilment and dispatch services for the entire Cisco Systems product range.

This follows Cisco Systems sub-Saharan Africa restructuring its distribution coverage in sub-Saharan Africa.

The process involved Cisco Systems inviting a number of distributors, such as Comztek, and including its existing partners, to tender for the distribution rights for the sub-Saharan Africa region by highlighting the value-added services they could offer.

Siobhan Hanvey, Cisco product manager at Comztek, says that by appointing a select number of distributors and resellers, Cisco can ensure that its end-users get the best service possible.

Says Neels du Plooy, channel account manager: sub-Saharan Africa at Cisco Systems: In our review of distribution partners, we addressed a number of areas, including ethical business conduct, financial health, credit provision, logistics, pre- and post-sales, marketing functions, channel coverage in Africa and reporting capabilities. 

Other important evaluation criteria included the ability to meet service level agreements (SLAs), training for resellers, warehousing capabilities, and brand protection against the grey market.

Comztek was appointed as a Cisco distributor for SA in March 2002.

Through this new relationship, Cisco now has access to Comztek Africas extensive network across Africa and expertise in operating in this environment. The new distribution model will ensure our brand is closer to the ground, and allow us to provide Cisco across the sub-Saharan Africa region, explains Du Plooy.

Comztek Africa is a dedicated joint venture company between Comztek and DS Technology Distribution, a specialist ICT supplier to the African market for the last 12 years.

The company distributes Comztek's networking, hardware and software products across the SADC region.

The appointment of Comztek as a Cisco distributor in the SADC is a clear endorsement of the commitment Comztek has to Cisco and the channel, Hanvey concludes.