Futuristix, a member of the EOH group and a leading name in the world of SA industrial automation and MES solutions, is the sole SA distributor for the Wonderware range of production and performance management solutions. As from December 2006, the company is changing its name to Wonderware Southern Africa.
Futuristix has represented Wonderware, one of the world's leading suppliers of industrial automation and MES solutions, for nearly 16 years and has earned a reputation as one of Wonderware's leading distributors worldwide.
"We have always been focused on the distribution and support of the Wonderware product range, finally using the Wonderware name feels like a natural progression which simplifies and strengthens our local brand position," says Justin Tweedie, MD of Wonderware Southern Africa. "Customers prefer the certainty that they are dealing directly with the source of the solutions they are buying rather than through an intermediary. Our close association with Wonderware over these many years together with our investment in training excellence and support has made us indistinguishable from a wholly-owned subsidiary. In fact, we are near the top of the list with respect to registered system integrators as well as the number and sophistication of their project implementations."
In 1994, 1998 and 1999, Futuristix won the Wonderware Distributor of the Year award and the Outstanding Regional Performance (EMEA) award in 2002. This was followed by the Outstanding Sales of Industrial Application Server award in 2004 and the Outstanding Sales of Industrial Hardware award in 2005. In 2006, Futuristix won the Record Sales 2005/2006 award and the Outstanding Regional Performance (EMEA) 2005/2006 award. Both awards recognise the company's contribution towards developing new markets while caring for its extensive installed customer base in southern Africa.
"As the worlds of manufacturing and mining get more complex, top management wants the reassurance that they will be led competently through the maze of emerging possibilities by solution developers who understand their pain and by project architects who can deliver successful implementations. Wonderware and our network of system integrators are ideally placed to give them this reassurance," concludes Tweedie.
The change of name has triggered some questions from the industry:
Q: Does the ownership of the company change?
A: No. This is a change of name and not a change of ownership. Wonderware SA is still a member of the EOH group.
Q: What, in fact, does change?
A: Wonderware has indicated that it wants a stronger relationship with its key distributors and it wants stronger brand recognition in key countries. So Wonderware SA has signed a new agreement with Wonderware confirming this long-term relationship, which, in turn gives it the right to take on the Wonderware brand name. The management and staff remain exactly as they are and so does support.
Q: So why change at all?
A: As described above, the change of name rationalises the branding and indicates the level of expertise and support customers can expect. The new agreement ties the company's training and support requirements even closer to that of Wonderware to the extent that it is a direct extension of the Wonderware product. It underscores its commitment to excellence and to the Wonderware brand itself.
Q: What happens to MDT Software and Software Toolbox?
A: The company will continue to sell and support MDT Software's AutoSave change management solution and the extensive range of I/O, networking and other products from Software Toolbox as it has always done.
For more information contact Justin Tweedie, Wonderware Southern Africa (a member of the EOH Group of Companies), +27 (0) 861 WONDER (+27 (0) 861 966 337), [email protected] or [email protected]
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