Company Profile

 

Background

PCB was founded by Bruce Gillespie in May 1985 as ‘The Peoples Computer Bureau”, with capital backing from Philip Sewell. We were pioneers in offering IBM-PC compatible Personal Computers at affordable prices to the South African region. The innovative and affordable PC-based solutions we imported and supplied made us one of the forerunners in the Personal Computer revolution in Southern Africa. Paul Boulle joined as a partner in 1990.

The motivation has always been to work in areas where Personal Computers and Information Technology can make a positive & empowering difference to the quality of people's lives. For that reason, we have had an emphasis towards supplying turnkey PC-based IT solutions to NGO's, Small/Medium-sized businesses and professionals since our inception. This included many organisations that were involved in the struggle against Apartheid in the 1980's.

We have always believed that customers need a solution, not just isolated technological appliances. What ever is supplied must be appropriate to the customers needs and environment. It was therefore inevitable that our endeavors grew into a plethora of services including Local Area Networking, Service & Support, Internet Services as well as Training and Development.

The organisation moved from a Close Corporation to a (Pty) Limited in January 1999 in order to facilitate growth and future investors. Currently we have a staff of around 30 people and work with several independent service providers. We are proud to say that we have had many long and mutually beneficial relationships with a broad range of clients.

After many years of operating in the cosmopolitan suburb of Yeoville, Johannesburg, we moved to spacious and professional premises in Rosebank in March 2002 to accommodate staff and customer needs, and then again to our current premises in Regents Place, Rosebank in January 2007.

Whilst the business landscape has changed over the years, our core mission remains the same: supplying quality products and services with integrity, to organisations that make a difference.

Currently the Products & Services offered include:

Personal Computer Hardware & Software - We offer a full line of brand name and custom-built PC and Server hardware. Since we have always strived towards balancing quality with price, we can't guarantee the lowest prices but what we can ensure that our hardware is put together with the greatest care and using the best quality components. Quality Control checks are stringent, and we make sure customers receive a fully working and configured machine. Personal Computers and Servers can be built to specification. We only source equipment from suppliers with whom we have a relationship and whp we know can provide us good service and backup.

Computer Networking & The Internet - PCB has many years experience with a great variety of Personal Computer Local and Wide Area Networks, from simple peer-to-peer printer sharing to multi-tier integrated systems. We are experts with Microsoft and Linux, and are committed to installing systems that are appropriate to the customers needs and environment. Staffs skills include Computer Science and Engineering graduates as well as Microsoft Certified and Linux networking experts. We are not committed exclusively to any PC platform or operating system, and are happy to install and maintain the customers chosen solution, including hybrids, and whatever might be appropriate solution for the client.

With the arrival of the Internet in South Africa in the mid-1990's, the need to hook up to the wired world drove networking to new heights. PCB has expertise in many ways for doing this, and for this reason bundled the Internet services and products under a separate brand: WiseNet Internet Services (see below).

Workshop & Technical Services - We have a fully equipped workshop and a large inventory of PC spares, as well as technicians who can attend to most repairs. Where necessary, we send out to the vast network of third party service providers we have established over the years. Turnaround time to repairs & upgrades is typically 24 hours and we offer a three month guarantee on repairs.

IT Support Services - Our Support & Service Department has been a growth point over the last few years. We recognised customers needs to out-sourcing support services. This is often a formal service arrangement in the form of Service Contract, where customers get a turnkey support service from ourselves, in the form of structured services and Service Level Agreements. Our prime commitment lies with customers with whom we have signed and committed Service Contracts. This comprehensive service package results in a commitment from ourselves for regular service according to the needs, as well as emergency response times and even full out-sourcing of IT servicing and support needs. Our services include a Support Desk, with a number of staff to support our service requirements.

WiseNet Internet Services - Since the arrival of the public Internet in South Africa in 1993, PCB has been committed to offering cost-effective Internet services to our customer. This is under the WiseNet banner: a division specifically orientated at Internet services. We are able to offer clients a full suite of Internet Services, which include most current connectivity options, as well as Web site development and hosting.

The MilkyWay Internet Café - this was the very first Internet Cafe in Africa, and was started by PCB in 1995. It offers a variety of walk-in Internet services, including very economical and effective Internet access. An offshoot of this is the non-profit MilkyWay Foundation, through which we do technology and science outreach work, as well as facilitating and assisting needy students with tertiary education.

 

Directors & Shareholders

 

 

Last updated 26th MArch 2008

 

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