Esquire Technologies has won the EMEA Channel Academy Multichannel Initiative of the Year Award for 2014.
The EMEA Channel Academy: 2014 Awards took place in conjunction with regional channel event DISTREE EMEA. Distributors, retailers and vendors operating in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region submitted
application packs to enter the Multichannel Initiative award.
A jury of international channel experts met in Monaco to assess the submitted entries – and selected Esquire’s Virtual Reseller Network (VRN) as the winner of the 2014 Multichannel Initiative Award.
Esquire’s VRN concept has taken more than eight years and R10-million to establish itself in the South African market.
Speaking at the event, Esquire MD Asgar Mahomed, said: “I am dedicating this award to our team that has spent many sleepless nights and long hours to get the VRN concept off the ground and make it a phenomenal success.”
Esquire has successfully expanded its Virtual Reseller Network (VRN) concept growing the number of partner e-commerce websites using the system from 19 to 450. Esquire allows resellers’ VRN sites to use its real-time stock
system for price checking, product information and stock levels via their Web site.
Once the consumer places an order with the reseller, it is automated to Esquire’s back-office system and delivery is completed via a dedicated courier service directly to the reseller’s client via the Esquire logistics arm.
VRN offers a fully-fledged e-commerce website to resellers, allowing them to add their look and feel to the website. Esquire ensures that resellers’ costs are minimised by securing special credit card rates, reduced delivery fees from
a dedicated courier company, aggressive rates on hosting and payment gateway charges. This is done to ensure the reseller remains competitive against multi-national retail stores and traditional channels
Frederic Simard, director and co-founder at DISTREE Events, says: “We would like to congratulate Esquire Technologies in South Africa on winning the 2014 Multichannel Initiative of the Year award. The quality of entries was very
high. The success of VRN demonstrates the importance of distributor innovation in EMEA channels – especially in emerging markets.”