Now is the time to consider diversifying

Peter Cowan Data Direct

The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies to reevaluate their products and services in order to survive and build a stronger future for themselves. At Data Direct, we have noticed the needs and priorities of our customers change dramatically since the beginning and throughout the crisis. During the height of the lockdown dealers saw a significant drop in print volume and revenue, mainly due to customers either temporarily closing or operating at reduced capacity. The keyworker sectors posed a whole new set of challenges for dealers wishing to offer a near-to-normal service, while learning and implementing new measures to ensure a safe environment for staff and customers.

One of Data Direct’s first initiatives to help with workplace safety was to introduce an efficient, remote, non-contactable parts delivery and collection solution for field engineers. In addition, Data Direct made it a priority to source and distribute the best PPE products available so that keyworkers - and many others in customer-facing roles - could carry out their work safely. Understanding PPE was a learning curve, but we are in a strong position to advise and support our dealers in finding new health and hygiene opportunities for a wide range of workplace settings.

With little evidence of a return to preCOVID normality, we expect the demand for new products and solutions to continue. Our established consumables and parts lines will pick up as more people return to the workplace, but health and hygiene will remain high on everyone’s agenda. As a result, Data Direct has formed a new division committed to supporting dealers and their customers in the supply of quality PPE, hygiene and workplace solutions.

Our range has already extended to securing distribution rights for Salvesan. This wonder solution will not only kill 99.9999% of germs and viruses, including COVID-19, but is totally safe, alcohol-free, and doesn’t dry out skin.

Having the advantage of in-house product design and manufacturing, Data Direct has also invested in creating new products for the dealer channel. These include sanitising stations, dispensers and automated room sanitising units. Furthermore, our new homeworking desks have already helped many dealers to supply into a growing market of homeworkers, as well as for their employees increasingly working from home.

The last six months have taught us that diversification, and constant evaluation of products and services, is a necessity to operate within the ‘new normal’. This includes accepting change in order to remain relevant to new markets and customer priorities. Data Direct is here to help all dealers with a range of exciting products and solutions designed to create new, long-term business opportunities.

You can call us today to find out more on 01189 734 564, or visit www.data-direct.co.uk.