ComputerLand deal

Press, 30 September 1986, Page 18

ComputerLand deal

New Zealand microcomputer users should benefit from the move into New Zealand of the Computer Land franchise.

Businessworld Computers, Ltd, headed from Christchurch by the Foulds brothers, will hold the master franchise. The Computer Land business centres will be at the outlets in the Businessworld chain from Auckland to Dunedin, but sub-franchises may be issued to centres where there is no Businessworld representation. Computer Land has rocketed ahead in the 10 years since it was set up by William Millard, who developed the IMSAI 8080, one of the first micros. The centres are franchised in 24 countries, and total sales exceed SUS2 billion a year. Mr Maurice Foulds, director, field operations, of Businessworld, says the franchise means the range of peripherals on sale in New Zealand will increase, and there will be quicker introduction of software and some hardware.

Pagemaker for the IBM PC AT, to be released in New Zealand within the next few weeks, hot after its release in America, is

an example. ComputerLand in the United States had already evaluated it, and it will arrive a proven product. Information about new products and testing them has always been a problem for New Zealand, Mr Foulds says. Now this information will be available to Businessworld for its Computer Land shops. Similarly, evaluated computer peripherals now not usually on sale in New Zealand will become available.

In addition, ComputerLand has a number of products manufactured for its outlets. Businessworld is New Zealand’s leading IBM personal computer dealer, and Computer Land is the world’s.

Mr Foulds emphasises that Businessworld will continue to deal with New Zealand distributors where regional distribution arrangements exist, and it will deal directly with IBM New Zealand. (Businessworld’s marketing of the System/36 product range is outside the Computer Land agreement).

A number of other brands are sold, including Apple, Compaq, and NEC. Each Businessworld

centre will incorporate an expanded range of services in line with the Computer Land model. Services provided under the franchise are as varied as promotional material, staff training, and “course ware” for seminars.

Mr Foulds emphasised the business-centre aspect of the Computer Land stores, and this area has been Businessworld’s main target area. The organisation of Businessworld, with Mr Bruce Foulds as managing director, will be unchanged. The franchisor will be Computer Land New Zealand, Ltd, headed by Mr Gary Vaughan. Businessworld will be the master franchisee. Mr Michael Mulcahy, director of Computer Land’s Asia Pacific region (which has its headquarters in Australia) will be in charge of co-ordinating Computer Land services at the New Zealand centres. The two groups say the existing Businessworld management structure under Bruce Foulds will “remain intact as the operational arm of the Computer Land network.”

The initial network will comprise seven centres.