In the ever-evolving landscape of the audio and accessory industry, SMD Technologies has emerged as a trailblazer, propelling the industry forward with its innovative Factory-to-Store Platform. Founded with a deep-rooted commitment to quality, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, SMD Technologies’ platform has redefined how businesses navigate the complex terrain of product development and sourcing. This visionary approach became particularly pertinent during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the launch of a solution that would transform challenges into opportunities.

 

A Response to Unprecedented Times

The global supply chains were severely disrupted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading businesses to reconsider their approaches to sourcing. Challenges such as travel restrictions, factory shutdowns, and logistical constraints created significant hurdles in acquiring products. In response to these difficulties, the need to swiftly address these gaps and present a more efficient way of sourcing products became apparent.

 

The Factory-to-Store Platform: A Seamless Process

At the core of SMD Technologies’ success story lies its Factory-to-Store Platform, which was unveiled with great foresight in November 2020. This platform was engineered to eliminate the complexities, frustrations, and time delays that often plague the traditional sourcing process, making it easier than ever for businesses to access manufacturers around the world. Leveraging its global scale and innovative business model, SMD Technologies offers solutions at competitive and even lower costs than traditional direct sourcing methods.

 

The platform’s key differentiator is its ability to help businesses discern quality products from reliable manufacturers. It boasts a catalogue of over ten thousand pre-approved products, meticulously curated by an international team of product developers and engineers. These products span diverse categories and can be procured under SMD Technologies’ OEM brands or seamlessly integrated into a client’s existing private-label brand range.

 

A Seamless 10-Step Process

The Factory-to-Store Platform follows a seamless ten-step process:

1. Select:

The journey begins with an intuitive B2B Storefront, designed to provide a user-friendly experience. Users can effortlessly navigate through the platform, guided by a well-structured interface. Robust filtering options allow businesses to precisely target products that align with their brand, category preferences, and specifications. This thoughtful design ensures that the products presented are in harmony with their unique business vision.

2. Customize:

Acknowledging that each business is distinct, the platform offers the ability to tailor products to specific requirements. Businesses can request adjustments in specifications, design elements, packaging, certifications, and other individualized needs. This level of customization ensures that every product obtained through the platform resonates perfectly with a business’s brand identity and customer expectations.

3. Sample:

The importance of tangible assurance is understood. To address this, the platform enables businesses to request physical product samples. These samples provide a hands-on experience, allowing businesses to evaluate the quality, functionality, and overall appeal of the products. By assessing these samples, businesses can make informed decisions before proceeding to bulk orders, minimizing risks and uncertainties.

4. Certify:

Quality assurance is paramount. The platform offers comprehensive certifications and test reports for each product available on the platform. These certifications validate that the products adhere to the highest industry standards, reassuring businesses of the products’ quality, safety, and performance. This commitment to certification builds trust and ensures that customers receive products of the utmost quality.

5. Order:

The purchasing process is streamlined for efficiency. The platform provides real-time updates, ensuring an error-free order placement. This feature keeps businesses informed at every step, reducing the potential for misunderstandings and delays. The transparent and streamlined order process enhances the overall customer experience.

6. Track and Trace:

Businesses can closely monitor their orders’ journeys from origin to destination through the Track and Trace feature. Regular updates provide transparency, offering insights into the shipping and logistics process. This capability empowers businesses to plan and manage expectations, ensuring a smooth and reliable delivery process.

7. Execute:

The Execute phase equips businesses with an array of digital assets. From crisp visuals to essential promotional materials, these resources are tailored to each product. This comprehensive suite of assets empowers businesses to confidently plan and execute a successful product launch, equipped with the tools needed to showcase products effectively.

8. Receive:

The commitment to consistency shines through during the Receive phase. When products arrive, they mirror the approved samples and descriptions, leaving no room for surprises. This alignment between expectations and reality underscores the dedication to providing products that meet and exceed business aspirations.

 

9. Review:

 Feedback is a vital component of improvement. After product implementation, businesses are encouraged to assess their experiences and provide feedback. This input is valued as it fuels ongoing enhancements, ensuring that the platform’s offerings continuously align with evolving business needs and expectations.

 

10. Repeat:

Business landscapes are dynamic, requiring adaptive strategies. The Factory-to-Store Platform is equipped to meet shifting business needs. Whether it’s reordering successful products, exploring new offerings, or adjusting to market changes, the platform’s flexibility allows businesses to thrive and evolve in response to industry trends and demands.

Through this comprehensive process, SMD Technologies has redefined the sourcing landscape, enabling businesses to navigate the intricate paths of product development and procurement with unparalleled ease. As a beacon of innovation, SMD Technologies continues to empower businesses, making quality audio and accessory products accessible to a global audience. The launch of the Factory-to-Store Platform in November 2020 marked a pivotal moment, demonstrating SMD Technologies’ commitment to innovation and its role as a transformative force in the industry.

SMD Technologies started with humble beginnings in 2005, rooting itself in South Africa as a supplier of scientific and financial calculators. However, this was just the tip of the iceberg. SMD soon started looking to spread its feelers into a wider variety of consumer products.

SMD Takes on the World

The addition of new products to SMD’s small range meant that trips needed to be made on a global scale, meaning that not only would we need to find a great supplier in China, but we would also need to see what products were trending internationally to make sure that it was brought back to South Africa.

In 2010, SMD signed a contract to become the official distributor of HP products. In 2011, another agreement was signed as we took on the task of Exclusive Global Distributor for Kingsons Laptop Bags. That same year, we decided that the average supplier in China just wasn’t going to cut it, and so we saw SMD open a sourcing office in Shenzhen, China. This meant greater quality control at a more reasonable price. Therefore, our clients get the very best price, for the very best quality.

OEM all the Way

In 2012, the Amplify brand was launched as SMD’s very first brand. Volkano Electronics and Rocka followed suit shortly after in 2013. With the company growing at a rapid rate, it was inevitable that we would go global, and so our UK Office was born in 2014.

2015 saw SMD further climb mountains with the signing of our Disney and Warner Brothers Licensee Agreement, this agreement accounts for distribution in 22 countries.

Not long after in 2016, both Connex, our Windows, and Intel Technology partner, as well as Bounce, our audio range brand, came to pass.

All We do is Win

2016 was a big year for SMD, having won the “Disney partner of the Year Award”. Soon after we were then appointed as the Marvel Licensee. 2017 also saw a lot of successes having won both the “HP Education Partner of the Year Award” as well as the “Disney Product of the Year Award”. If that wasn’t enough, ProBass and Travelwize were launched, and yet another contract was signed for Microsoft and Intel distribution in South Africa.

“Expansion” was the name of the game again, in 2018, as our US Office opened its doors. In the same year, we became appointed distributors for both Sony and Sharp. We ended off the year with a bang by winning the “HP Education Partner of the Year Award” for the second consecutive year.

Onward and Upward for SMD

Not unlike every other year for SMD, 2019 was one filled with change and expansion. Eagerly, the Carlyle Group Acquired a stake in SMD. Further, a new Head Office was Established in Hong Kong. We were appointed the Lenovo distributor within that year. If that wasn’t enough Connex Connect IoT was launched, and yet again, for the third year running, we held the title of “HP Education Partner of the Year”.

Despite the global crisis of Covid-19, in 2020 SMD managed to pull off the impossible. SMD in Partnership with the Gateway group opened its Australia offices. Our USA offices launched their eCommerce division. What’s more, is that SMD Australia signed a licensee agreement with Nickelodeon. Last, but certainly not least, the year 2020 saw the launch of our Eiger appliances.

More Excitement

Another year, another award, we opened 2021 with the Sony EMEA Distributor of the Year award! What a way to start the year in 2021. The year 2021 was a push to get back to some kind of normalcy following the 2020 pandemic. Again, SMD pushed through, having lit up the stage with the launch of our new Switched lighting and multiplug brand.

Although 2022 is far from over, we have accomplished so much. We have launched brands along the lines of, Boden Stark, Everfurn, Timber & Hide, Snapp, and Highlander. Additionally, we have become appointed Licensees for, Con Melon, Pokemon, Star Wars, and Disney Marvel. Further expansion is made with the opening of our new Middle Eastern office in Dubai. Finally, or shall we say so far, we have also acquired the likes of KNR, a distributor of cellular accessories, consumer electronics, and other great products.

What’s Next for SMD?

Well, we don’t want to jump the gun, but it is clear to see historically that we are not the type of company to become stagnant or lie down when things get tough. We are always looking to expand our offering, provide more innovation and stretch our global footprint. So, watch this space, SMD is just getting started!

SMD Technologies has entered the Tech space at the perfect time. It is clear to see that the most exciting time in tech history is now. Thanks to the developments that have been made over the past 20 years! Time to consider all of the major changes that we have become so accustomed to.

Cell phones

Let’s be honest, there are still a few of us that reminisce back to the days when cell phone screens were green and playing the game “Snake” was the coolest feature it had. Yet, the past 20 years have brought about an era where cell phones are used to do most daily tasks. From emails to video calls, sharing information, taking video and camera footage using it as a GPS, or playing games. More so,  ordering food, listening to music, doing banking, doing research, and last but not least, calling and texting.

Cell phones are our hub of communication. With everything right at our fingertips, our new smart devices have made many other day-to-day items obsolete. Think about maps, why do we need maps, or even a GPS anymore? We now have an app on our phone that can navigate us to where we need to go. To a large extent, landlines, specifically personal lines have become superseded as our calls are now mobile. Photo albums are no longer necessary as we can take and store photos right on our handheld devices. What makes things even better is that we have access to those photos whenever we want. We don’t have to look through albums, and what’s more is that those images are readily shareable on many platforms. No more need for CDs and tapes, as we now have music libraries on our phones.

Google

To be fair, we can thank Google for many of the progressions that we now have access to. Cheers to Google, we now have access to Maps, translators, Gmail, Chrome Browsers that are user-friendly, and so much more.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth has absolutely mushroomed over the last 20 years. Let’s face it, in this day and age, if your device doesn’t connect to Bluetooth, then it is not smart. Bluetooth has given us the ability to connect one device to another completely wirelessly.

Social Platforms

YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the likes have been what keep people glued to their phones. We rely on these platforms to see what is currently trending, to make purchasing decisions, and to give us recipes. They also teach us to do things that we don’t know how to do with step-by-step tutorials.

3D Printing

Lastly, 3D Printing has given your average homeowner a chance to create personalized designs. They have been given this opportunity through graphic software and 3D printing technology. This tech takes your online generated design and brings it to life.

That’s that for Tech-Talk

We are constantly absorbing so much information thanks to the new advances brought to us through continually evolving technology. It is such an exciting time we are living in. A time when things are always improving, changing, and becoming possible where we thought it to be impossible.