Advanced Television

Loxxess selects S3 Group’s StormTest Decision Line for Tele Columbus STB screening

June 5, 2013

S3 Group, an international digital TV company that accelerates end-to-end delivery of multiscreen TV,  has been selected by Loxxess, a German logistics company providing European warehouse and fulfilment solutions, to supply a reverse logistics screening solution for Tele Columbus Group. S3 Group’s role is to improve testing accuracy to reduce after sales costs, and provide insight on the digital TV set-top box returns of Tele Columbus, one of the leading German providers of TV, internet and telephony via broadband cable.

Loxxess has implemented an integrated logistics solution for Tele Columbus with warehousing, distribution and returns management. As set-top boxes are returned from customers, Tele Columbus wants to ensure that they are processed as efficiently as possible, in order to manage after-sales service costs, and reduce capital tied up in inventory. In addition, an important goal is to prevent deficient set-top boxes from returning to the supply chain and generating customer complaints.

Loxxess selected StormTest Decision Line for Tele Columbus to provide a solution to minimise the costs incurred in reverse logistics, and increase the quality of products returned into the supply chain.  A key element in the solution is the use of automated testing, which increases return center volume throughput, standardizes testing routines to deliver more accurate test outcomes, and provides insight to identify common device failure points. “We are constantly looking at new tools to ensure the highest possible standards and to maximise efficiencies in our reverse logistics services.  We partnered with S3 Group and selected StormTest Decision Line, because they provided a perfect blend of automated testing expertise, with an industrial strength product to meet the needs of our customers,” said Dr. Claus-Peter Amberger, CEO Loxxess.

“Tele Columbus believes that an accurate screening process is essential to a high-performance logistics and repair function.  The solution using S3 Group’s StormTest Decision Line and Loxxess’ s logistical services will ensure only fully functional set-top boxes are returned to inventory, resulting in an increased customer satisfaction, which ultimately reduces our after-sales service costs,” said Dietmar Schickel, CSO and managing director of Tele Columbus Group.

“We are delighted that Tele Columbus has chosen our joint solution with Loxxess to meet its high standards for set-top box quality,” said Philip Brennan, vice president of TV Technology at S3 Group.  “StormTest Decision Line is used by some of the world’s largest reverse logistics companies and digital TV operators. This new relationship with Tele Columbus and Loxxess further expands our screening footprint in the European Digital TV market”.

Categories: Press Releases, Test & Monitor