CURRICULUM
VITAE - Chris v.d Merwe
PERSONAL
DATA
SURNAME:
Van der Merwe
FIRST NAMES: Chris
E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
EMPLOYMENT
HISTORY
Between
October 1985 and March 1988 I was employed on a part-time basis at Stella-Mia TV
Services Pretoria. In this time I gained experience on TV's, radio repair -
communication including transmitters and receivers and video equipment. Some of
my responsibilities included liaising with customers and suppliers.
I
was responsible for the maintenance and updating of the Tedelex database on
Beltel Electronic Communication Systems (a pre-runner to the Internet) for two
and a half years on a part-time basis.
I
matriculated in December 1988 from Technical High School Gerrit Maritz
Pretoria-North and gained recognition for the design and building of an
electronic timing system (the first of it's kind) at a school in South Africa,
as well as for lighting and microphone work. In this area I gained valuable
experience in the workings of electronically controlled equipment as well as
audio and visual equipment. I received a certificate from the department of
education - "Never absent during my whole scholastic experience - 1976 -
1988".
From
January 1990 to November 1993, I was employed at Transnet (Koedoespoort) as an
Electrical apprentice. In this time I shared my knowledge in computers and used
it in different areas. One of these areas was the writing of a software program
and inputting of data that generated random questionnaires for course tests and
evaluation purposes.
During
the last period of my apprenticeship I was directed to assist with electronic
courses and also to help with the testing and evaluation of tests.
During
the period August 1989 to October 1990, I was in the service of the South
African Armed Forces, where I was trained in Infantry and was recruited by the
Military Police to serve as a "Very Important Person's" (VIP) Guard. I
received my first stripe (Lance-Corporal) during this period. In training it was
noted that I was knowledgeable about computers and I was then transferred to the
Directorate of Military Police's Headquarters in Pretoria. During this period I
received my second stripe (full Corporal). In my capacity as a data/computer
administrator I was responsible for the management and maintenance of the
computer network of the Directorate of the Military Police.
During
this period I was also responsible for the importing of the re-written manual of
the Military Police. This manual is now being used for the training of new
recruits.
I
received my Directorate Provo services Commendation Certificate on 25 October
1990 for my share in this project and for outstanding quality of service
rendered whereby the image of the Corps was elevated.
In
the period from November 1993, I started my own electronic repair business
called Laser Electronics (IT and electronic repair Services)
During
the period of May 1994 I was approached for a position as a Claims Assessor. I
assisted J.J. Guldenhuys Claims Assessor as an investigator of electronic and
computer claims and also helped with other relevant investigations. In this
capacity, where electronic or computer equipment was involved, I had to
investigate and determine what the repair or replacement value of the equipment
was. I gained experience on a variety of computer and electronic equipment
ranging from control systems to power distribution equipment.
At
the end of September 1994, I again resumed with my own business as an electronic
and electrical technician and was used in a variety of projects for Global PC
Systems in Pretoria.
This
firm specialized in the design and build of electronic equipment, which include
PLC systems, medical equipment and computer-controlled machines. I was
responsible here for the maintenance of hardware and software on the Network
system as well as the purchasing of equipment. Some of my responsibilities also
included consultation and advisory service.
At
the beginning of February 1995, Technicare computer services (Johannesburg
Head-office) approached me to help them out with a repair backlog, which they
developed. I was appointed on a temporary contractual basis for two months at
“National Board Repair Centre” in Johannesburg. This workshop was responsible for the repair of all warranty
and non-warranty equipment countrywide for large clients that included ABSA,
Nedbank, IBM and Compaq. I was responsible for the repair of all computer
peripherals and accessories. This included laptops, desktops, power supplies,
printers and all computer related equipment.
At
the conclusion of the two months and the elimination of the repair backlog I
resumed working for myself.
In
August 1995, I was again approached by Technicare to be of service to them.
From
November 1995 I handled the first Rework Centre in Technicare and was in charge
of this Centre. In this capacity I had to repair units that were classified as
un-repairable by the National Repair Centre.
I was also responsible for handling spares related issues arising in the
repair centre.
In
January 1996 I was asked to return to Board Repair and to handle rework as well
as to the important contracts for the bigger customers of Technicare.
They included Laptech, Digital, OKI to name but a few.
In
February 1996 I successfully completed Compaq TC 1 (Training Course 1) and TS 1
(Training Servers Course 1) and qualified as a Compaq Technician.
In
the period December 1995 - March 1996, I was responsible for the training of new
Technical Personnel in service of the Company. Some of my duties included
progress evaluation, personnel evaluation and productivity analysis.
In
1997 a new scheme was implemented by Technicare whereby employees could convert
employment from permanent to contractual basis. I opted for the contractual
scheme and was one of the most successful contractors on the scheme with the
highest productivity over this period. In the same year I received technical
certification on “Chase Research Equipment” (networking equipment) and was
accredited as an ARC. Accreditation
was also given to me for “Tripplite UPS Systems”.
At
the beginning of 1998 I was approached to fulfill the position of Supervisor:
National Repair Centre whereby I was installed as a permanent employee. I held
this position for approximately 8 months where after I was promoted to Manager:
National Repair Services. In this position I was responsible for 19 subordinates
which included financial, technical and customer services departments. All
customer queries and escalations were also channeled through my office.
Customer liaison played an integral part of my duties.
After a takeover by Spicer Ltd, I stayed on as Manager: Repair Services and was responsible for all repair centers around the country. These included the major centers of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Johannesburg.
At
the end of 1999 Repair Services made a decision to leave Spicer Specialized
Services and a new company was formed namely SCR Technologies Pty Ltd. I had the
responsibility of managing the workshops located in major centers in South
Africa as well as the main repair centre in Midrand.
At
the end of September 2000 SCR Technologies was liquidated, I went into a
partnership with the managing director of SCR technologies. A new company was
formed - Advidata cc.
As
equal partner in this company I was responsible for all technical and workshop
activities. Some of our customers included Ociricom and Samsung South Africa.
In
June 2002 I left Advidata to return to my own company and have been in business
to date. Laser Electronics specializes in the component level repair of all
computer and IT related equipment. This
includes UPS systems, printers, display units power supplies as well as laptops. Laser
Electronics website page http://www.laserelectronics.co.za
GENERAL
INFORMATION
CHARACTERISTICS: Honest,
responsible. Can work and communicate well with others
INTERESTS
AND HOBBIES:
Internet Research
REFERENCES:
Page Updated : 26/04/2009