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CURRICULUM
VITAE
- Chris van der Merwe
SURNAME: Van der Merwe
FIRST NAMES: Chris
E-MAIL ADDRESS: chrisvdm@hotmail.com
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.
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Updated : 01/06/2025