[This is a sponsored article with SNS Network.]
Not everyone gets fired up and excited about ICT (Information and Communications Technology), but Kelvin Pah, the Sales and Marketing Director of SNS Network founded a business based on a more niche interest.
“When you’re passionate about something, you want to share it with others, so this is how we keep our business growing by sharing technology to demonstrate what technology means to us,” said Kelvin.
He makes up one half of the co-founding team of SNS Network alongside Ko Yun Hung, the Managing Director of SNS Network. The duo started the company in Ipoh back in 1999.
Building the brand name from scratch
During the first 10 years of the company’s existence, Kelvin said they could only focus on customers in Ipoh as they lacked the manpower to diversify and expand. They had just 40 staff members on their payroll. Thus, they honed in on providing IT solutions to the B2B and B2C markets in that region.
Like any other business, they were a relatively unknown name when they started. But through tireless networking, the duo onboarded brands such as Intel and Compaq (which merged with HP in 2000), and some of these partnerships have lasted till today.
In their 21 years of operation, they’ve supplied IT equipment to schools, SMEs, government services, corporates and the like. They even provided services such as cabling work, networking services and broadband installation to their customers.
But as time went by, they’ve shifted their focus to concentrate on 3 core segments in the business:
- B2C: Running and managing omnichannel outlets such as GLOO, and mono-brand outlets such as iTworld and Mi Stores.
- B2B: Providing IT solutions to corporates and enterprises
- Services Business: Providing broadband services, cabling work, networking services and software installation.
“We started from the small town of Ipoh, which is situated right in the middle between Penang and Kuala Lumpur. But when you have a smaller city, you also have a smaller market,” said Kelvin. However, it was that strategic location in between 2 hubs that allowed the business to expand to Klang Valley and neighbouring cities in 2009.
Kelvin revealed that 2021 is poised to be the breakthrough year for the company, as they’re hoping to breach the RM1 billion mark by the end of the fiscal year. The company also ships around 300,000 units of laptops and PCs yearly to customers nationwide.
Working closely with big-name brands
While SNS Network does have a host of brands under their umbrella, one of their mainstays is Hewlett Packard (HP). Kelvin told us that while they previously dealt with Compaq which was subsequently merged with HP, they only began working closely together 14 years ago.
As one of HP’s main partners locally, they’ve brought products ranging from laptops to printers from HP into the local market. Kelvin said that working with the brand has always been a breeze and he believes that HP has great products that can fit the needs of many.
For example, one of the products that SNS Network is bringing in under the GLOO store is the HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw.
It is an all-in-one printer that can print, scan and copy. The printer can also be set up easily using a mobile device and you can even print pictures and documents straight from your phone, as it is built with wireless and mobile printing functionalities.
This means you don’t have to go through the hassle of finding a USB plug and wasting time connecting software and the likes to just print a document. If you wish, you can also print directly from a USB device plugged into the printer. The printer is also one of the smallest from HP, measuring at 421.9 x 422.9 x 344.1mm.
SNS Network also has a dedicated support and service team to handle any HP enquiries that come their way.
Providing affordable solutions for local consumers
While providing IT services and solutions proved to be a fruitful endeavour for the company, they felt that Malaysia lacked an affordable solution that caters specifically to the needs of the locals. Thus, SNS Network decided to create their own brand of devices all the way back in 2014, launching their first mobile tablet for under RM500.
To date, they’ve created several devices such as smart boards for classrooms, all-in-one devices, mobile tablets and many more.
On top of distributing their own brand locally, SNS Network relies on strategic partnerships to provide competitive offerings in the local market. Kelvin then told us that they’ll be working closely with HP to bring in a variety of products from the brand.
Fuelled with a passion and a team that is now 300+ strong, Kelvin hopes he can continue to provide more options and choices for Malaysians of all walks of life for their IT solutions.
He also plans to expand their B2B network, so they can cater to more companies and enterprises with their solutions. For example, one of the B2B-centric solutions they’ve come up with is called SNS OnePlan. It is a DaaS (Device as a Service) which allows companies to obtain ICT products through a monthly subscription, which can be a more affordable option without the need for heavy initial investment.
- You can find what other HP printers that SNS Network has in store here.
- Find out more about SNS Network here.
Featured Image Credit: SNS Network
