New inventions and innovations into IT world are actually promoting and protecting business operations all over the world. These inventions are driving away old system of operation, and if Nigeria must develop like other countries of the world, it must identify itself with the moving trend of Information Technology.

In this chat with Saturday Vanguard Business, the Managing Director, St. Marcell’s Computer Limited, Mr. Eloji Arinze Marcell, promoting digital productivity comes on board with a new innovation into the Nigerian IT market, CD Duplicator, a durable product that guarantees safe haven for data. Excerpt.

Eloji: Nigeria needs to pursue new invention in IT to promote economic growth and development.

What is  CD Duplicator all about?

Duplicator is an IT product launched into Nigeria’s IT market that allows you record important data inside CD easily for safe keeping in case of any system crash or loss of files as a  result of virus, especially these days where virus inflict  computer systems. People that know the uses of duplicator since being introduced prefer it to be safe inside CD or DVD because it is more reliable and it enhances productivity. Most studios these days use it to perfect their jobs because it makes jobs faster and safer. We introduced this IT product into Nigeria’s IT market to promote new technology that guarantees Nigerians to save information and retrieve it when necessary. CD Duplicator is useful for church sermons because it allows members access sermons after church service without time wasting because it records messages inside CDs or DVD while sermon is going on.

Nigerians can benefit a lot from it. Corporate organisa-tions need it to enhance productivity. Schools need it because sometimes when there is need to introduce some documentary to them it is very easy to use CD or DVD, and sometimes the companies producing them might not like to produce in little quantities rather they prefer to produce in large volume from  ten thousand pieces before they can print for you, but with this duplicator (Maxtroboard) from Taiwan, you can get any copy you want.

When did this product enter  the Nigerian IT market and how is the demand?

We introduced the duplicator into the Nigerian IT market three years ago when we saw the need and purpose that Maxtroboard will help Nigerians in music storage, videos and documentary etc. to the interest of IT development in Nigeria. And I tell you since then, demand for it has been encouraging; churches, studio owners, schools are coming to partronise this product because of its uses in the world of  information technology. I tell you every church in this country needs a duplicator. And as we all know Nigeria is a growing market for IT, so products that can enhance productivity in this country is welcome so that we begin to compete with the rest of the whole world in terms of Information Techno-logy. However we want more development, expansion in the Nigerian IT market. Yes when we have increase in IT market in the country, it would help in creating jobs for our youths thereby reducing unemployment in this part of the world. It’s really interesting and we wish everybody will be IT informed.

To what extent have you gone in creating awareness for the product so people will know that apart from Flash there are other better ways of saving and storing data?

Yes, like I told you earlier, people’s data are safe in Flash drive, but the safest way to save data is either inside CD or DVD. So, we’ve been reaching Nigerians through fliers, creating media awareness. We also believe that a good product promotes itself because when people come to buy and use it, they tell others. So, we’ve explored every necessary means within our reach to let Nigerians know about CD duplicator. So in the market it’s self branded duplicator in the Nigerian IT industry and in the world.  Apart from that we deal on DVD+r, CD+r, printable DVDs and branded ones likewise CDs, and these can only be used by churches, for instance Synagogue Church is our major customer because of the quality of the products. But today, people rush to China and import all kinds of products and SON is not properly checking the quality of all the goods imported into Nigeria. Because of the importation of all kinds of substandard goods, we decided to customise our products so when you use it and it works well you will come back because they carry guarantee.

Its role in the IT market…

It plays a role in the IT market because one can conveniently and confidently save data without panicking because even when your computer database crashes you have the data in your CD. Sometimes when you save files in flash drives they contract virus. To me CD is the best way of saving data.

How do you handle the issue of substandard products?

I want to seize this opportunity to advise businessmen and importers to always go for branded products. It is so because, the only way you can differentiate from substandard products is when you go for a branded product that has its name. I believe no good and long intended businessman that invested his capital to make profit would like to go for substandard products because if your customers discover that you deal on low quality made goods they will run away from you.

Do you have advice for the youths and government on IT?

Yes. It’s  high time we educated our youths on IT. Parents should encourage their children on the use of computers so that they can acquire that basic information on IT. Abroad, youths start early on IT and it has helped governments and individuals. Technology is reigning, so Nigerian youths should not slack on the new wind of technology in this dispensation.

What makes this product unique?

It’s unique because we’ve gone a long way getting this branded product from Taiwan unlike China where many Nigerians troop  to import all kinds of products without quality control. We have representatives in Taiwan, they make these products pass thorough quality control, inspect the products before shipping them to Nigeria. At the same time we do also inspect the goods when they arrive before we sell and that is why we introduced after sales service and one year guarantee.

Major challenges…

One of the challenges we encounter during importation is customs that come up with all kinds of things that discourages importation into Nigeria. Sometimes they read DM for you, they tell you your invoice tally is low even when it is normal. Because of these challenges, sometimes we prefer getting our goods through Benin Republic.

What was at the back of your mind when you were venturing into this business?

First and foremost I have passion for business, I didn’t target money. My intention was to have a product of my own and make it known in Africa and if possible beyond African region.