A 20 YEAR HISTORY
The beginnings
Founded in 1986 by Giuseppe Diomelli (the current President of
the company) CDC immediately distinguished itself by the originality of
its mission: to spread complex technologies in a simple way, bringing
the computer closer to families and to small and medium sized companies.
In 1987 in Bologna, the first in a long series of Computer Discount stores was opened, and this brand quickly became a leader thanks also to the rapid development of the network of computer shops and to their capillary presence in the main Italian cities.
The multichannel strategy
1990 saw the creation of Micronica
which produces and assembles desktop pcs and small servers.
In 1993 and in 1995 a further two distribution channels were created:
Cash
& Carry and Compy.
The former were built upon the model used by the large food distribution
chains and are exclusively dedicated to operators in the sector. The latter
are situated within stores and superstores selling electrical and retail
goods and are geared towards the public. In a very short time, they have
established themselves as the leading network for the distribution of
computers in Italy, both in terms of turnover and number of outlets.
In 1998 via its Internet site, CDC began an innovative system of E-commerce
B2B, which allows member operators to buy its products directly via Internet.
In September of the same year the distribution chain “AmiCo”
was born, using the e-commerce B2B system, which is for specialist resellers
in the computer sector.
Obviously, CDC could not miss out on the Internet revolution. In July
1999, via Interfree,
CDC obtained the licence as Internet service provider, which allows it
to offer connection free of charge to Internet, thanks to the installation
of the connection software in each computer sold within CDC's distribution
network. Moreover CDC offers through the portal Interfree a wide range
of information and services.
In 2000 CDC entered the TLC sector by developing the Dexgate
solution, a unique integrated Web Based platform, that through the exclusive
browser technology and thanks to the Internet revolutionizes the traditional
management of multimedia communication. A R&D department with skilled
engineers and technicians is in charge of the activities of testing, validation,
analysis and subsequent certification of VoIP technologies and components
in order to verify their compliance with VoIP standard protocol, with
Dexgate platform and other products.
As of 2001 CDC also serves government and large corporate markets, Direct
Sales division.
During over 20 years of activities, CDC has been able to develop an exclusive
and trusting relationship with its customers, both end users and commercial
operators in the computer sector.
Awards
In the past CDC received several awards:
- Microsoft - Intel Award for the best interpretation of Digital Home made in Italy through the solution CDC Multi Emotion Box Windows Media Center.
- Ernst & Young Award for Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001 won by Giuseppe Diomelli for the E-Economy industry
- Philip Kotler Award for the best company marketing programme in Italy (1996)
- Internet Key Award 2000 in the e-commerce B2B category won by the web site www.cdcpoint.it.
- Best Italian computer distribution company in the past eight years according to VNU’s readers.
