Apple reseller Next Byte has outsourced its support services for Apple laptops and desktops to IT solution provider Unisys.
The premium Apple reseller has signed a five year, $10 million deal with Unisys to look after its business and consumer PC customers nationally. Unisys will provide hardware support, parts management, logistics, product support, call centre and implementation services starting from the 1st November.
Next Byte previously managed the services in house, but said its growth nationally and in regional areas meant an additional load it couldn’t handle.
Joint CEO of Next Byte parent company Vita Group Maxine Horne told CRN the retailer had chosen to outsource the “lower cost” areas of service Next Byte was unable to provide itself.
Resellers across Australia are currently grappling with expanding their business from traditional box-moving as PC sales decline and customers demand more than a simple hardware sale. Horne denied the move to outsource support pushed Next Byte back into box-mover territory, and said what differentiated Next Byte from its main vendor Apple was its regional reach.
“Next Byte provides regional Australians access to products and services in many places where there are no plans for an Apple Store, like Rockhampton,” Horne said. “Next Byte provides customers with the complete range of Apple products and services, beyond what regional customers can access through the Apple online store.”
Next Byte will continue to offer repair services. Horne said the company guaranteed repairs will be completed within four business days or the cost to the customer is forfeited.
Vita Group announced in July it would refurbish its 18 Next Byte store fronts across Australia to more cloesly resemble the retail operations of its Apple.
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