FAQ
TOPICS: BUYING FROM US,
ISP,
ABOUT US,
CISCO
BUYING FROM US
How to buy equipment from Precision Networks
and Precision Computers?
Email is our preferred method for quotations and
upon receipt we will
check availability and confirm prices via email (of course if the IT equipment you are looking for is not displayed
on our website, we will
also be very happy to source and supply you with this where possible). Once payment is received we will courier the
products to your preferred shipping address.
How do I pay?
Payment must
be made by either bank
transfers or cash payments into our account.
Do prices include Vat?
All prices on this site
include VAT.
Is the price shown on
our web products, the price I will pay?
Mostly this
will be the case, but email
confirmation of prices is also
required, because
although all prices are
correct at the
time of publication, they are subject to stock
availability
and price volatility from our suppliers.
As
you are aware the rand has depreciated significantly against the dollar over
the last few months. This obviously has an impact on all dollar-based
products that are brought into the country. Unfortunately this situation is
something we don’t have control of and it has a major impact on the
difference between our website quoted prices and the final landed cost.
However we will strive to ensure you get the
best price possible and should you find a product cheaper elsewhere, we will
do our best to beat it.
How much do deliveries cost?
Delivery is via our courier service
- which is usually FREE for orders exceeding
R3000!
However should there be a delivery charge for
some orders, we will supply this with the final quotation.
How long to receive goods once an order has been made?
On most equipment it takes between 2 and 3 days for delivery for products after confirmation of payment, this includes machine build time,
testing and courier time. Smaller items that do not require build time it is
usually only two days. Note couriers do not deliver on Saturdays, Sundays or
public holidays.
As Cisco equipment is notoriously harder to source, there
is usually at least 5 working days for delivery to cape Town based companies
and +- 7 days countrywide. Obviously we will strive to beat this where
possible.
What is the warranty policy for products bought from Precision Networks?
Products
sold by us are covered by our suppliers carry-in warranties. These
warranties will be passed onto you. Hence should a product become faulty as
covered by the terms of the warranty, we will advise you on how to go about
getting it replaced/repaired. Obviously the warranties do not cover problems
occurring due to product negligence.
What is the difference between Precision Networks
and Precision Computers?
Precision Networks is the networking
division while Precision Computers deals with the IT sales and falls under
Precision Networks.
ABOUT US
What is the core business of Precision Networks?
Although the core business of Precision Networks is to provide IT LAN/WAN
Networking Services and Products, we also supply hardware
and software at unbeatable prices!
This is because from time to time our suppliers will have specials on equipment such as
Laptops, Desktops, Servers, Printers, Monitors, Flat Screens, Projects etc,
a small sample of which are
shown in our
online shop.
Do you supply other IT
equipment not found on the online shop?
Of course there may be times when
you require other non listed IT and we will
also be very happy to supply you with this if possible.
Email or
contact us to order or find out more about these and other
specials that may be on offer at the time.
What proof do I have that Precision Networks is a
Real Company?
We understand that many South Africans are still unsure
about the safety of buying from companies that advertise their services and
products on the web. Like you we share this concern and in turn also have to be very
careful about the legitimacy of potential buyers, because as we sell laptop and
PC products, we are often targeted by "West African" type scams.
To tell you more about us, Precision Networks CC has been around since
early 2005 and
has already built up a large portfolio of customers who we would be more than happy to put you
in touch with, should you require any reassurance about the quality of our
products and services. However for starters, you can read testimonials or get in touch with some of
our satisfied customers - see
Customer Testimonials.
Other useful information is also available from the government's public database
at
CIPRO
or by
clicking here.
ISP and ADSL Related Questions
How do I apply for ISP and ADSL accounts?
1. Decide whether you want and ISP only
account or ISP and ADSL combined account. Then decide on the amount of Gigabytes
you need per month as well as the ADSL line speed (if relevant). If you are
unsure of your bandwidth and ADSL needs, choose the 1 Gigabyte account (384 kbps
line speed) for starters - product code adsl01384.
2. If you are choosing an ISP only account,
you probably already have an exiting ISP account with another Vendor and want to
change over to us for the ISP portion. Note you will still need to have an
existing ADSL enabled line, which we assume you are continuing to pay for using
Telkom directly. Note even if you have an existing ADSL line, you can still
transfer the payment for this over to Precision Networks as per point 3 below.
3. If you are choosing an ISP and ADSL
combined account then this is probably a new ADSL installation or you are
transferring both the ISP and ADSL accounts to Precision Networks.
4. For ISP only accounts, email us the
following:
-
The ISP bandwidth needed
or product code, e.g. ADSL01 for a 1Gig Account.
-
Your company address,
website, registration number and VAT number.
We will email you your ADSL
username and password. These will need to be set up in your ADSL
router. Need an ADSL router or helping setting up your router
then
email
us?
5. For ISP and ADSL line accounts, email us
the following:
-
The ISP bandwidth, ADSL
line speed needed or product code.
-
Your company address,
website, registration number and VAT number.
-
The telephone number of
the phone line that will be using ADSL.
A combined account will take a
few weeks to be set up and we will email you your ADSL username
and password once this account is activated. Need an ADSL router
or helping setting up your router then please
email
us.
What is the difference
between the ADSL and ISP part of a broadband connection?
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a form of DSL, a
data communications technology that enables faster data transmission over copper
telephone lines than a conventional voiceband modem can provide. It does this by
utilizing frequencies that are not used by a voice telephone call. A splitter
allows a single telephone connection to be used for both ADSL service and voice
calls at the same time. The ADSL line
is is provided by Telkom, although you can now order and pay for this using
Precision Networks. Line options available are 384 kbps, 512 kbps and 4096 kbps.
The ISP portion provides consumers or businesses access to the
internet and related services and comes
in Gigabyte options, i.e. 1GB, 2GB, 3GB etc. You need both the ADSL line and and
ISP account to be able to access the internet.
How long does it take to set
up ISP and ADSL accounts?
Time taken to activate combined ADSL and ISP
accounts will be dependent on the time taken for Telkom to install the ADSL
line, even though you are ordering and paying for the ADSL through us - usually
up to 2 weeks from the time of ordering. To create stand alone ISP accounts
(where you pay Telkom for the ADSL line) is much quicker and these can be set up
once our sales team responds to your request - usually a few hours after
receiving your email request (and assuming that you have an activated ADSL
line). We will email you your username and password.
How do I pay for ISP and
ADSL Accounts?
Payment for ISP and ADSL accounts will be via
EFT and we will send you a monthly invoice.
What happens if I don't pay
for my ISP/ADSL account in time (before the month end)?
Your account will be terminated until you
settle the outstanding amount in full.
What happens if I run out of
bandwidth before the month end?
You can top up your account as and when
required. See the price list.
How easy is it to change from my ISP to
using Precision Networks
?
If you have an existing account then transfer
will be seamless. We will email you the username and password and these will
need to be entered into your ADSL router. The transfer of the ADSL line will
happen behind the scenes and you will start paying Precision Networks rather
than Telkom once the transfer is completed.
What is the advantage of using Precision
Networks rather than other ISPs
?
For clients who use Precision Networks for
maintaining their networks, allowing us to control your ADSL and ISP
accounts means that we can rapidly respond to any network problems related
to your Internet access rather than us having to work through third party
ISPs. We also try to provide a rapid and personalised response to your ISP
and ADSL queries. We also strive to give you competitive prices.
Cisco Related Questions
What is the relationship between Cisco and
Precision Networks?
Precision Networks is a Cisco SMB/SME
Certified company. While we supply equipment to any South African company, our
focus for networking designs is aimed at SME type companies.
How do you supply Cisco
equipment.
Precision Networks has relationships with
several local as well as international suppliers. We use our international
suppliers when our local suppliers are unable to supply equipment speedily at a
competitive price.
Yes,
Cisco prefers
SMB partners such as Precision Networks to use local authorized distributors when supplying equipment, but
in our Partner Contract there is a clause which states that we can buy from
other Cisco supply sources, if the lead time is better than the local
suppliers can provide. Unfortunately the reality in South Africa is that a 4 to
8 week delay for getting equipment is the rule rather than the exception. So we have set up our international distribution
channel in order to be able to supply equipment with reasonable time frames and
at a competitive price when the local suppliers are unable to deliver quickly.
Are all products genuine Cisco?
Yes
all
products are from legitimate distributors and are
genuine Cisco parts (whether sourced in South African or
International). We offer guarantees on all new products
with manufacturers warranty so you buy with no risk. All
Cisco equipment is provided with clean serials. Often
our products have a 12 month warranty with the option to
extend the warranty.
Cisco have told us not to
buy from any one unauthorized?
Precision Networks is an SMB
authorised dealer and . Cisco tries to protect
their market though and they will say anything
to stop people discounting products which we do.
The products you buy from us are the same as you
buy from the authorised channel – they are just
cheaper, with better warranties in most
instances and better lead times.
Being A Cisco partner, you will
obviously be asked to buy direct from them (this
way THEY make more money from your deals) but in
your Cisco partner contract there is a clause
which states you can buy from non Cisco sources
if the lead time is better than they can
provide.
Why pay $300 for a small GBIC (GLC-SX-MM) when
you can purchase the same unit from Network
Solutions for just $140. A lot of Cisco partners
purchase from us to add margin to their sales.
Overall, if you purchase from Network Solutions
you will receive the same hardware but with
better discounts and lead times and best of all
it will not accept your relationship with Cisco.
Why do you offer good prices on Cisco equipment?
The significant buying
power of our suppliers
allows them to get good
discounts on products, which we in turn pass on to our
clients/customers/end users.
How long will it
take to receive equipment?
As Cisco equipment is notoriously harder to source, there
is usually at least 5 working days for delivery to Cape Town based companies
and +- 7 days countrywide. Obviously we will strive to beat this where
possible or when our local suppliers have stock.
What types of
equipment can I buy?
Surplus New: Cisco terms and conditions state that any
product more than 3 months old, and therefore outside Cisco's 90 day
warranty period cannot be sold as "new" through its own distribution
channels. Some of our suppliers have a global sourcing program to buy such
products, bought either as maintenance spares, for upgrades or for
installation but then found to be surplus to requirements. The products are
either still factory sealed, unused and in unopened boxes. In all cases
these boxes are opened and the products tested so that the warranty can be
passed onto customers - i.e. the product is original and as good as "new".
New: Cisco factory sealed with a standard 90 day warranty.
As New: These products are 100% original Cisco network
equipment that have been refurbished to the highest standards and tested.
Products testing is done in laboratories in accordance with ISO 9001-2000
standards. These products will ship in their own packaging and be 100%
original Cisco guaranteed.
Used: 100% original parts, fully tested and with a 3 year
warranty. The perfect solution for the budget conscious without compromising
quality and resilience.
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