When in September 1992 the Computer Warehouse Group (CWL) started operations as a provider of Information Technology many people did not give them a chance as they saw the exercise as another ill-fated Nigerian dream. Undeterred, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Austin Okere had a vision. He would later go on to prove critics wrong that the country was incapable of producing world class beaters in the ICT.
  Setting out with only four staff the operation has not only being around for the past 15 years but has recorded tremendous growth in all spheres of business development. The success has acted as catalyst and motivation for the opening of a support centre in Ghana as a first phase of its West African sub-regional strategy. In addition to that, it has the following subsidiaries: GWL Systems Limited, DCC Networks Limited and ExpertEdge Software Limited.
Sales Strategy
It has hinged its sales strategy on customer referrals given that many satisfied customers proclaim their success which has become their most valuable asset to potential customers. The bond from this relationship has transformed it from being a provider of ICT to that of a trusted advisor to its customers. Such level of trust is informed by the fact that the organization has always maintained consistent and impeccable track record in its niche operations.
The happy clients are many and they include MTN Communications Limited, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc whose seamless infrastructure attest to the hard work of Computer Warehouse Group.
Strategic Alliances
I n furtherance of its objectives to provide efficient information technology systems to clients, the Group is into alliance with major IT companies of the world. The strategy is intended not only to provide it with best-in-class solutions but more so provide CWG with best practices in technology and services in order to deliver the solutions right the first time and all the time.
Against this backdrop remains the idea behind the creation of three different companies so as to foster core competencies among the companies in their niche segments. For example, CWL Systems Limited specializes in the supply and integration of computer hardware, e-payment systems and ancillary equipment. DCC Networks Limited, the company’s communications subsidiary, specializes in VSAT, Metropolitan and Wide Area Networks (WAN), Local Area Networks (LAN), Systems integration and deployment, systems analysis and e-payment systems design and implementation.
Successes
CWL has deployed key infrastructure solutions covering enterprise and data centre servers, desktop computers and notebooks as well as Automated Teller Machines (ATM) to customers across industries, including the largest and most advanced Sun Microsystems installation in sub-Saharan Africa. It has key customers in the Government, Banking, Oil Gas, Manufacturing, Telecommunications and Education.
Between 1998 and 1999 the company set out to sell and install new banking application to banks. According to James Agada, Managing Director of ExpertEdge Software Limited pessimists queried the move on grounds that it was impossible given that every bank then had its own software that was incompatible with others. Matters were made worse because there were 89 banks in the country and moreover Computer Warehouse was the underdog in the market. Today, 50% of the consolidated banks in the country run on the company’s Finacle software applications.
Human Resources
As has been the company’s standard, quality manpower remains the bedrock of its success. When it started, only 4 persons were on its staff. Currently, it has more than 350 employees with about 85% being IT professionals holding the industry’s top rated certifications. This pool of motivated workforce has seen the company become “one of the most entrepreneurial businesses in Nigeria”. In fact, the Columbia Business School in 2008 observed that Computer Warehouse Group “has thrived in difficult circumstances because of an entrepreneurial culture that embodies the work ethic, personal responsibility and integrity of its founder”.
Achievements
Computer Warehouse Limited has a formidable presence in the market and this is reflected in several awards and high levels of partnerships and certification attained with major global computer companies. Today, it is the only Dell Authorised Service Provider (DASP) in West Africa. More over it is a Microsoft Gold Partner, an HP Value Partner, Authorised Channel Solution Partner and Global Warranty Provider for Sun Microsystems, IBM Value Partner and Netapp Platinum Partner.
Awards Won
Recently, the organization received the prestigious African Information Society Merit Award (AISMA) as the leading ICT Company of the decade. Presenting the award to the CEO, Austin Okere the society noted that “the company appears set to lead the revolution of the ICT industry in Nigeria and the rest of Africa”. Before then, it won the Gold Award for Excellence from Sun Microsystems (2003), Best Marketing partner for 2003 from Sun Microsystems, Top Achiever and most successful Partner of the 2004 Fiscal year from Sun Microsystems, Wincor-Nixdorf award for best new partner (2007), dell enterprise partner of the year 2008 and Netapp award for EMEA Best Partner for 2008.