This guide describes the steps involved in opening a computer refurbishment centre in Africa and managing it into productivity. It is intended to distill best practices and provide information on proven methods that could be replicated in refurbishment centres across the continent.

Table of contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 Issues around refurbished computers in Africa
1.2 The guide for African computer refurbishment centres

2.1 Global market trends
2.2 The African market

3.1 Constraints to viability in Africa
3.2 Two models

4.1 Market position
4.2 Cost drivers
4.3 Demand drivers
4.4 Critical success factor for management: quality through process orientation

5.1 Types of suppliers
5.2 Considerations for choosing between suppliers: corporate or donor?
5.3 Price comparison
5.4 What to buy: evaluating offers
5.5 Recommended minimum specifications
5.6 Purchasing thin clients
5.7 Monitors, keyboards and mice
5.8 Supplementary ICT equipment
5.9 Local donation
5.10 Supply management

6.1 Importing: assessing local conditions 6.2 Shipping volumes
6.3 Shipping costs
6.4 Shipping procedures
6.5 Freight forwarders and clearing agents
6.6 Customs and duties
6.7 Keys to reducing shipping costs
6.8 Policy issues

7.1 Standalone computer: possible specifications
7.2 Computer laboratory: Possible products
7.3 Applications
7.4 Security issues
7.5 Data backup
7.6 Licensing Windows: Microsoft Authorised Refurbishment Scheme
7.7 Free/open source software
7.8 Product testing

8.1 What is an inventory management system?
8.2 Tracking numbers
8.3 Inventory management options
8.4 Planning for inventory management
8.5 The management aspect

9.1 Management and steering committees
9.2 Key roles
9.3 Technical staff: skills development
9.4 Motivating staff through production targets

10.1 Priority ranking
10.2 Additional considerations for schools
10.3 Additional considerations for businesses and organisations

11.1 Problem solving strategies
11.2 Service strategies
11.3 Staffing needs
11.4 Pro-active support
11.5 Service standards, timelines and escalation
11.6 Technical support management software

12.1 Size considerations
12.2 Electricity
12.3 Telephony and Internet connectivity
12.4 Paying for and equipping the centre
12.5 ICT equipment
12.6 Location considerations

13.1 Recipients
13.2 Telecommunications provider
13.3 Training partner
13.4 Government
13.5 Tertiary institutions
13.6 Materials recycling
13.7 SchoolNet Africa's "One million computers for African schools" initiative

15.1 Dust extraction
15.2 Cleaning the cases

16.1 Diagnostic software options
16.2 Harddrive testing
16.3 Monitor testing utilities
16.4 Preparing the workshop
16.5 Documenting testing procedures

17.1 PC assembly
17.2 Operating system installation
17.3 Driver installation
17.4 Configuring network settings
17.5 Ethernet cabling
17.6 Application installation
17.7 Simultaneous software installation

18.1 Burn-in testing
18.2 Optional burn-in testing: longevity and temperature testing
18.3 Quality assurance: appearance and performance checklist
18.4 Testing Guidelines

Acknowledgements

This report was prepared as part of the Catalysing Access to ICT in Africa (CATIA) programme, UK Department for International Development (DFID): Component 2a /open source software and low-cost computing.

The guide was made possible by the generous support of the Catalysing Access to ICT In Africa (CATIA) initiative, a three-year programme of the UK Department for International Development (DFID) in close collaboration with other donors and role players.

We would like to thank Philipp Schmidt, Technology Programme Manager at bridges.org for compiling this guide, and the individuals and organisations, including the eight African refurbishment initiatives visited, which agreed to be interviewed and provided the firsthand information upon which this document is based. Their willingness to engage and share experiences enriched this guide immeasurably, and has proven to be a valuable contribution to the field. A full list of those interviewed is included in Annex O.

We are also grateful to the many individuals that helped with logistical support. We would like to give special thanks to SchoolNet Africa for sharing data with us. We urge readers to have a look at SchoolNet Africa's Integrated training programme to set up technical service centres in support of education in African schools, at http://www.schoolnetafrica.net.