BUSINESS CONNEXION TIMES
Âť GROUP FOOTPRINT
The Business Connexion Group Footprint AFRICA MIDRAND (HEAD OFFICE) Business Connexion Park 789 16th Road Randjespark Midrand Tel: + 27 (0) 11 266 5111 Fax: + 27 (0) 11 266 1088 NETCAMPUS Tel: + 27 (0) 11 266 6345 SANDTON (EXECUTIVE SUITE) Forum Building 5th and 6th Floor c /o 5th and Maude Street Sandton Tel: + 27 (0) 11 290 9001 Fax: + 27 (0) 11 290 9006 CAPE TOWN Ring Road Century City Montague Gardens Cape Town Tel: + 27 (0)21 550 3000 Fax: + 27 (0)21 550 3020
UCS SOLUTIONS 2nd Floor Sunninghill Crescent 2 The Crescent 3 Eglin Road Sunninghill, 2157 Tel: + 27 (0) 11 518 9050 Fax: + 27 (0) 11 803 4017
INTERNATIONAL DURBAN 1 Cranbrook Crescent Cranbrook Park La Lucia Ridge Office Estate La Lucia Tel: + 27 (0) 31 560 9100 Fax: + 27 (0) 31 560 6008
MOZAMBIQUE Rua de kassuende No. 140 Bairro da Polana Maputo Mozambique Tel: + 258 21 49 5530/40 Fax: + 258 21 49 4831
ZAMBIA
Lucy Lameck Street Plot 6 Kinondoni District Dar Es Salaam Tel: +255 (22) 278 0606 Fax: +255 (22) 278 0504
12 Kalembwe Close Rhodes Park Lusaka Zambia Tel: + 26 (0) 211 25 6347 Fax: + 26 (0) 211 25 6348
NIGERIA 228 Adebola House Ikoyi Lagos Nigeria Tel: + 234 144 890 60 Tel: + 234 1 463 83 25/6
PIETERMARITZBURG Techno House Redlands Office - Estate 1 George McFarlane Lane Wembley Pietermaritzburg Tel: + 27 (0) 33 264 4160 Fax: + 27 (0) 33 394 6018
JOHANNESBURG ACCSYS Sandhavon Office Park Pongola Crescent Eastgate Ext 17 Sandton, Tel: +27 (0) 11 719 8000 Fax: +27 (0) 11 719 8060
UCS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES 2nd Floor 34 Melrose Boulevard Melrose Arch Tel: +27 (0) 11 243 3600 Fax: +27 (0) 866 186 242
INTEGR8 IT 17 Scott Street Waverley Johannesburg 2000 Tel: +27 (0) 11 555 9300 Fax: +27 (0) 11 555 9301
CANON 802 16 Road Randjiesfontein Midrand Tel: +27 (0) 11 266 75000
EAST LONDON
NAMIBIA cnr Jan Jonker Road & Thorer Street Windhoek Namibia Tel:+ 264 (0) 61 204 0000 Fax:+ 264 (0) 61 204 0009
CEB MAINTENANCE 10 Archimedes Street Cnr Desmond Road Kramerville Sandton Tel: +27 (0) 11 444 0265 Fax: +27 (0) 11 444 0360
PRETORIA Block F - Glenfield Park Cnr Glenwood Road & Oberon Avenue Faerie Glen Pretoria Tel: + 27 (0) 12 427 0300
TANZANIA Mikocheni
Chesswood Office Park, 10 Winkley Street, Berea, East London Tel: + 27 (0) 43 743 2860 Fax 1: + 27(0) 43 721 0191 Fax 2: + 27(0) 43 721 0161 KENYA 2nd Floor Eden Square Complex Chiromo Road West Land Nairobi Kenya Office: +254 203 673 242 Fax: +254 203 673 232
PORT ELIZABETH Business Connexion Park 106 Park Drive Central Port Elizabeth, 6001 Tel:+ 27 (0) 41 397 6000 Fax:+ 27 (0) 41 397 6001
DUBAI Executive office NR 1 Dubai Internet City Building NR 1, Dubai Tel: + 971 (0) 4 375 6892/1 UNITED KINGDOM 25 Southampton Buildings London WC2A 1AL Tel: + 44 (0) 845 678 1122 Fax: +44 (0) 845 678 1123 DATA CENTRE: Connexion House 4 Arlington Court Whittle Way Arlington Business Park Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2FS
For queries or submissions please contact Marketing and Communications at Tel: +27 (0) 11 290 9128/9108,
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E-mail: bcxtimes@bcx.co.za
Visit bcx.co.za or bcx.mobi to find out how we can connect your business to a world of endless possibilities.
Edition 6 | July 2013
BusinessConnexionTIMES METRO ETHERNET (E) SERVICES Business Connexion Communications Business Unit provides resilient Metro Ethernet (E) network services of 10 Gbps that offer high capacity network connectivity to business areas in Gauteng.
PUBLIC SECTOR RESTRUCTURE Our recently restructured and integrated Public Sector Division will enable us to assist the South African government and SMMEs to deliver efficient services in their key areas.
OUR CITRIX AWARD Business Connexion was awarded the ‘Best Technical Competency Award 2012’ at the 2013 Citrix Partner Accelerator event for our Citrix certifications and our entire Citrix product portfolio.
DID YOU KNOW? Our Graduate Internship programme hosts Talent Open Days to identify top ICT talent in order equip them with the skills they need to further their careers.
BUSINESS CONNEXION VALUE:
“Make a difference - Live with passion”
Amplifying the power of Connective IntelligenceTM
Business Connexion is a Gartner Cool Vendor Every year Gartner, the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company, identifies new Cool Vendors in key technology areas and publishes a series of research reports highlighting these innovative vendors, their products and their services. This year, Business Connexion was selected as a Cool Vendor in Emerging Markets in acknowledgement of our customised cloud computing services. According to Gartner, “coolness” in emerging markets comes from harnessing the unique attributes of these markets, such as price sensitivity, weak brand loyalty, underdeveloped social services and rapidly rising technology usage. Cool vendors are vendors that have captured Gartner’s interest during the past year because they offer innovative or intriguing technologies or solutions, featured vendors have all had a specific impact on emerging markets. Gartner recommends that technology companies offer solutions that take into account local regulations for security, data privacy and engagement models that allow enterprises to share risk and reward. Benjamin Mophatlane said that a large portion of Business Connexion’s solutions are geared towards supporting social and financial inclusion in emerging markets, therefore that the business is excited about the recognition that Gartner has provided. CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
| ABOVE Rally to Read Rietfontein NGK Primary School, Western Cape children reading The Red Man
Please scan the QR code below and let us know what you think of the new-look Business Connexion Times by completing the short survey. We would appreciate your feedback.
Business Connexion’s new and exciting Thought Leadership programme inside…
Download a QR code reader: If you have a web-enabled smart phone with a camera, go to your phone’s app store and search for “QR” or “QR readers”, there are plenty and they are free. Only Business Connexion employees will have access to the survey.
| Think Big, implement ideas new/old, take calculated risks, step out of your comfort zone.” ~ Jacques Loubser, SPARK.
BUSINESS CONNEXION TIMES
»
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO’S DESK
EDITION 6 | PG 02
Dear Colleagues
| ABOVE Benjamin Mophatlane ~Business Connexion Group Chief Executive Officer
Welcome to the last quarter of entitled: ‘Givers take all’, assessing some of the most the financial year. interesting pointers from Adam Much like the final lap of a long Grant’s book ‘Give and Take: distance race, this is the time to A Revolutionary Approach to concentrate our focus, increase Success’ (Viking, April 2013). our efforts and finish the race The article was based on the with pace and vigour. theory that encouraging It has been a challenging employees to both seek and financial year, which has seen provide help, as well as the Rand plummet, and the rewarding givers can reap combination of dollar strength significant and lasting benefits and domestic concerns over for business. labour unrest, place South Africa in a strenuous position. As This revolutionary approach business, our task has been to to giving really appeals to me, continue to drive efforts for particularly because often we success, and now is the time think about the help we require, to reinforce our efforts, close and overlook our own abilities deals and continue to focus of to provide help to others. delivering excellent service to our July is Mandela Month at clients. Business Connexion, and I read an interesting piece in this year’s Mandela Day is April’s McKinsey Quarterly, one that we, as a business
MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS IT WEB
» ACQUISITIONS
ANDRE AND 702’s AKI
» TALK APPS
BUSINESS DAY LIVE
HI-TECH SECURITY
will embrace in support of Nelson Mandela’s life cause of unity, doing good and helping others. It is with this spirit that we honour Nelson Mandela. So I would like to appeal to each of you to play your part this Mandela Day and think about how you are going to contribute during your 67 minutes this year.
encourage our Thought Leaders to be represented on different platforms and to inspire even more Thought Leaders to come to the fore. We look forward to the outcomes of this project. The Barrett Survey, which assesses the culture in organisations, is something the Senior Leadership of Business Connexion looks forward to every year as we get your views on the culture of our organisation. So please ensure that you take part when the time comes.
We’ve had many achievements this quarter, one that I am particularly pleased with is our Gartner Cool Vendor recognition as 2013 Cool Vendor in Emerging Markets. This is in recognition of our Until next, time, remember world-class customised cloud that you are an important part of the Business Connexion computing services. family, and together, we can Marketing also launched an make great strides. exciting Thought Leadership programme called Regards, SPARK, which is a platform to
» SKILLS MAP
» ACCSYS GIVES BACK
Ben
IT WEB
» ON AFRICA
WEBHOST
» EXPANSION
EDITORIAL TEAM Editor in Chief
Acting Editor in Chief
Editor
Deputy Editor
Art Director
Contributors
Deanne Pienaar
Arnold Beyleveld
Palesa Madumo
Rositta Mbanze
Dorbyl Malubane
Mike Walker, Leeya Hendricks,
GM: Marketing and
Group Manager: Marketing
Communications Manager:
Public Relations Assistant
Design Specialist
Brigitte Brooks, Rehana Hassim.
Communications
Operations and CSR
Business Connexion Group
rositta.mbanze@bcx.co.za
dorbyl.malubane@bcx.co.za
Interns: Jacky Kobile and
deanne.pienaar@bcx.co.za
arnold.beyleveld@bcx.co.za
palesa.madumo@bcx.co.za
Keratilwe Mophatlane
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS QUERIES: T: +27 (0) 11 290 9112 E: bcxtimes@bcx.co.za | SEND YOUR WINS TO E: insidefocus@bcx.co.za
BUSINESS CONNEXION TIMES
» MANDELA DAY 18 JULY Every year, on Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s birthday, is Mandela Day, an initiative unanimously adopted in 2009 by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly as Nelson Mandela International Day. Mandela Day not only celebrates Madiba’s birthday,
but is also an annual call to action to people everywhere to contribute to the global movement for good by effecting change within their community. What are you doing with your 67 minutes this year?
EDITION 6 | PG 03
PICTURE FROM: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, by Matthew Willman
Connected Kenya Business Connexion attended the • The new Kenyan Government Connected Kenya Summit hosted in structure Mombasa, Kenya from the 27th to • The new Kenyan constitution the 30th of May 2013. • Decentralised government • The role of the Kenya ICT Board The summit, which brought as an enabler of government ‘s together industry ICT leaders from ICT uptake across Africa was an opportunity for • The new ICT Master Plan 2017 ICT players, leaders and influencers from the public and private sector, The event was attended by as well as academia to network and Julien Liebenburg, Donald drive ICT strategies and innova- Thomson, and Dr. Tony tions that will assist in the growth of Githuku, Managing Director Kenya’s economy and facilitate of Business Connexion Kenya public service excellence. as well as Modise Nyawane Business Connexion Managing Under the theme: “The County Executive for LARA who both Citizen Served”, the summit focused addressed delegates on these on the following: respective topics: ‘Happy Citizens
Business Connexion is a Gartner Cool Vendor (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01)
Live and Work Well in Managed Counties’ and ‘Cities of the Future’. “There are high levels of capability and talent in the Kenyan ICT market and what we at Business Connexion are trying to do is come in and tap into that talent, lifting it to new heights. We want to use technology to assist government in making the lives of Kenyan citizens better” commented Dr. Githuku. In a radio interview on a local Kenyan station, Dr. Githuku spoke about the ICT sector in Kenya and the devolution of countries. He also spoke about Business Connexion’s involvement in the summit as well as what our future plans are to better service the ICT landscape in Kenya. “As technology develops in Africa, what we see ourselves doing in the future is taking processes like water meter readings services and developing them for mobile
The markets that Gartner considered for their research include: • Latin America: All countries • Central and Eastern Europe: All countries • Asia/Pacific: All countries except Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan • Middle East and Africa: All countries except Israel
worldwide IT spending, estimated at near $3.77 trillion in 2013. In line with global trends, enterprises and consumers in these markets are adopting IT technologies based on the nexus of social, mobile, information and cloud-based solutions to create new business and lifestyle opportunities. This, in turn, is creating opportunities for IT vendors that offer compelling (Gartner, 2013).
FACT: Emerging markets are globalising, a trend that is led by the Internet and an improved communications infrastructure. IT spending in these markets represents 33% of the total phones, eliminating the manual process and ensuring that the services are efficient,” he added. Business Connexion also had an exhibition at the summit and our representatives showcased the following services and solutions in an effort to depict our role in assisting government to function
better, ensuring quality service delivery to citizens: • LARA E-government ICT solutions • Human Capital Management • E-Learning • SCADSYS
SkillsMap: Africa’s Premium Talent Community to the SkillsMap Talent Community portal, an Applicant Tracking System as well as a Customised Client Career Portal. This first of its kind offering, enables companies to source skilled professionals in an easier, more affordable monthly subscription fee.
As the first top skills targeted online recruitment service based in Africa, SkillsMap targets the entire African continent as well as the Middle East, Europe and the UK.
“By combining Business Connexion, the largest ICT skills base organisation with a company like SkillsMap that understands the recruitment domain extremely well, we are aiming to provide a proudly South African game changer to the market.” said Andre Vermeulen, Business Connexion Managing Executive for Application Services.
MapMySkills is a unique free tool on the website available for candidates that give them access to great career articles, affirmation card service, motivational screensavers and a free career guidance assessment to help them grow their career profiles. Not only do we offer companies and job seekers a complete three-in-one offering, but we also provide the back office applicant tracking system to manage the administration process. This tracking system effectively allows companies to cut out the recruitment middleman whilst ensuring the best candidates for the job.” said Heidi Duvenage Conscript Africa CEO.
The three-in-one Software as a Service (SaaS) application provides companies access
The first step for job seekers is to register their career profile, which they can
Our first SkillsMap client, The African Management Services Company (AMSCO) joined
Job seekers get free subscription onto SkillsMap, whilst corporates will require a paid for subscription.
Attracting and retaining the right talent is at the heart of any business’ success. With the skills pool in certain sectors being quite small, it is becoming increasingly challenging for companies to gain access to the right candidates in the quickest possible time. Business Connexion in partnership with Conscript Africa launched SkillsMap on 18 June – a Talent Community
update at their convenience. After creating a profile, job seekers will be able to receive notifications for possible jobs opportunities that are specific to theirs skills and qualifications.
portal where companies can post vacancies and potential candidates can apply for available positions.
us at the launch. AMSCO is a human capital development organisation that provides qualified experienced hands on professional managment and related services to selected private companies and commercially operated public enterprises in Africa. AMSCO has been in existence for 24 years and currently operates in 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with a vision to assist companies to become globally competitive, profitable and sustainable. SkillsMap aims to revolutionise the recruitment market radically in South Africa and Africa giving m o re pe o pl e e m pl oy m e n t opportunities and further their careers. “We have a few exciting features planned for releases for the latter part of the year that include a Mobile Application, integration and partnership with LinkedIn as well as the automation of Candidate verification (Credit, criminal, qualifications) checks.” added Duvenage.
BUSINESS CONNEXION TIMES
»
EDITION 6 | PG 04
Isaac Mophatlane and Henry Smith take on new reigns Isaac Mophatlane has been appointed Group Executive for Business Connexion’s Canoa Division. Isaac, who co-founded Business Connexion in 1996, was Group Executive of the Innovation Division, prior to his new appointment. He has provided great leadership and direction in the division over the years; the division houses the groups own software and packaged intellectual property.
| ABOVE Isaac Mophatlane ~ Business Connexion Group Executive: Canoa Division
Business Connexion’s acquisition of the Canoa Group in 2011 helped the group to fulfil its strategy on establishing it as a convergence player with capabilities in the previously d i s t i n c t a re a s o f co n t e n t , printing, telecommunications and information technology. The division op era t es i n a highly competitive environment with Managed Print Solutions, a significant growth area within
the ICT workspace. With Isaac’s extensive knowledge of Business Connexion and his successful record of accomplishment in increasing revenue’s in his divisions, there is great anticipation about the future success of the Canoa Division. Taking over the reigns, is Henry Smith, who has been at Business Connexion since 1998, managing what is today known as Q LINK – a one-stop collections service that overcomes the complexity of multiple disparate interfaces to a variety of collection channels including bank debits as well as payroll deductions. Q LINK processes approximately 23 million transactions per month and continues to enjoy positive results, with strong growth in their value added garnishee order and bank
deduction services. The Innovation Division is well positioned for growth into Africa with a tailored local government solution that is contributing to moving South African into the digital age. As the intellectual property hub of the group the Innovation D i v i s i o n i s co m m i t t e d t o managing on-going investments in intellectual property through the development and enhancement of software solution offerings. Isaac and Henry’s leadership skills and exceptional strategic direction, experience and expertise, position both divisions for great success in the highly competitive environments. | ABOVE Henry Smith ~ Business Connexion Group Executive: Innovation Division
BUSINESS CONNEXION TIMES
»
EDITION 6 | PG 05
COLUMN: CTO’s Food for Thought
ideas for action
& how You can fix them... PROBLEMS WITH INNOVATION
| ABOVE Andy Brauer ~ Chief Technology Officer
One of Einstein’s famous quotes is “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” In IT, how often do we do the same thing repeatedly and know that we will achieve the exact same result? The root to true innovation is to look at the root cause of both old and new IT troubles.
this problem, we need to take control of the cost of change. This requires a complete IT transformation where you redefine your approach to every application in your portfolio and strategically think about how you will respond to business requests. Not long ago, if you asked an IT executive about transformation, there was a good chance you’d get a technology-centric response. You’d hear about consolidation and virtualization, power and cooling, security and availability.
This in its self is an opportunity to automate and innovate. The problem redefined, is that the root cause of IT challenges has everything to do with changing software, both old and new.
Today, the responses are different. IT is all about transformation. Not technology change, but business change through the use of technology.
The root cause of IT troubles has everything to do with changing software, in order to solve
Over time, the nature of transformation has, well … transformed. Instead of technology
advances for technology gains, companies have learned they can use IT to reduce costs, create efficiencies, and solve problems.
After a rigorous selection process, 50 employees from different business units were
selected for the initial phase of the initiative and, they were invited to the launch at Arts on Main on 16th May, where guest speaker Abdullah Verachia shared his thoughts on the make-up of a Thought Leader in today’s extremely competitive business market. Verachia shared some thoughts
Award Business and Finance Show winner
demand rather than listening to the next best message we pick up on in the press – after all it is about business!.
Such a transformation doesn’t At the same time we also need happen overnight. to look at some of the root causes of our problems. 91% The good news is that it can be of sub-Saharan Africa uses off the done one project at a time, with electricity grid and has no light cumulative benefits and past 7pm when the equatorial sun savings that can fuel the drops abruptly from the sky. So, next transformation phase. before we think of Cloud we need to make sure that there is sufficient This is a transformation that electricity and then make sure that can take an IT department from we can power the networks and being a business scapegoat to a have sufficient bandwidth. With centre of excellence and innovation. these basic building blocks we will really see mass adoption of Cloud So we have a fundamental Computing in Africa. choice, pay a high premium for maintenance, software upgrades It is also the simple answers to and re-customised offerings which problems which are practical, as is disruptive to our business, or we know NASA spend millions on we seriously look at the basis developing a pen that could write of the problem we are trying to in space while the Russians simply solve and focus on the business used a pencil.
| ABOVE Cecile Nel ~ Talk Radio 702 and 567 Cape Talk ‘The Money Show’ producer and Mike Walker ~ Business Connexion Group Manager: Strategic Marketing
The South African radio community came out to play at the Annual MTN Radio Awards held in April at the Sandton Convention Centre. The awards, which aim to recognise talent and excellence in the South African Radio landscape, brought together Commercial, Campus, Public broadcasting and Community radio stations, all hoping to walk away with an award for their efforts. Talk Radio 702 and 567 Cape Talk’s The Money Show, hosted by Bruce Whitfield, walked away with the award for the Best Business and Finance Show, a category sponsored by Business Connexion.
Our new SPARK
SPARK is Business Connexion’s new Thought Leadership programme that has been designed to engage and celebrate our Thought Leaders as well as identify andnurture a continuous generation of Thought Leaders within the organisation.
We back the MTN Radio
on how through Thought Leadership, individuals can contribute to the agility and relevance of a companywhilst taking advantage of economic opportunities.
into three Tiers, each with different responsibilities. We look forward to the outcomes of this exciting initiative.
Thought Leader: A person or entity that is recognised by peers for Each SPARK participant signed a having innovative ideas or commitment pledge, and wrote opinions. down one thought that they felt could create positive change. The SPARKS have been divided
Business Connexion believes in the possibility of enriching the lives of all types of communities through the use of technology, whether it is business communities, consumer communities, citizen communities or geographical communities, and we recognise the contribution that The Money Show makes to the South African business community with its insightful reporting of our local companies and markets. Other nominees for the Best Business and Finance Show were: • Fine Business Radio – Fine Music Radio • Kaya Bizz – Kaya FM 95.9 • Media@SAfm – SAfm • Bizz Buzz – VOW FM
BUSINESS CONNEXION TIMES
» CSR
EDITION 6 | PG 06
Rally to Read: Contributing to well-read nation One of Business Connexion’s strategic Corporate Social Responsibility intents is to contribute to improving the standard of education in South Africa through our letmelearn™ programme, and one of the ways we do this, is through our participation in the annual Rally to Read. Rally to Read is Bidvest’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme that is conducted through McCarthy and its READ
Foundation. In May this year, we took part in eight rallies that were hosted in Mpumalanga, KwaZuluNatal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape respectively. The annual rallies target rural schools and identify their educational and physical education challenges and provides academic and educational material that helps schools to overcome some of their challenges.
educational standards in the country by contributing to the supply of basic educational equipment to schools in need. In line with our mission statement, we believe that through education, we can foster development and transformation in South Africa in those communities in need,” said Arnold Beyleveld, CSR Manager at Business Connexion.
to Read by supplying educational aids to schools in the rural areas. This year we also in addition supplied netball equipment as well as seed packets to assist the schools with their learner-feeding initiatives. Business Connexion employees volunteered their time to take part in each rally in the different provinces.
“We are committed to supporting the improvement of
For the past years, Business “The rally was great fun for my Connexion contributed to Rally husband, sons and I, we had a
ball doing something good for children in South Africa, and I think it was an excellent example for my sons to remember to always sow back into society.” said Antoinette Mazibuko from Business Connexion Marketing.
Rally to Read raised R7 023 879 between January and May this year. This goes a long way to educating our nation.
| ABOVE Rally to Read PE: Patrick Monks ~ Business Connexion Port Elizabeth Managing Executive
| ABOVE Rally to Read Western Cape: Johan van Huyssteen ~ Business Connexion Western Cape Managing Excutive with the Principal of NGK Primary School
| ABOVE Rally to Read Western Cape ~ Die Eike Primary School children
Wits Hospice commitment signed and sealed Business Connexion continues to deliver on its mission of enriching communities by making the impossible possible, through technology and our recently signed contract to provide the Hospice Association of the Witwatersrand with free ICT services and support. This contract specifies that we will be responsible for providing the hospice with email and messaging as a service, end-user computing services, application services, advanced managed services as well as a service management centre. This initiative has been entered into in partnership with one of Business Connexion’s biggest clients, Anglo Gold Ashanti, the hospice falls under the mining giant’s corporate social responsibility programme.
The contract has been structured the same as one for a paying clients and has strict service level agreements that we have agreed to adhere to. Nigel Unwin CEO of the hospice commended Business Connexion, which has already commenced with some of the service delivery for our professionalism and level of service. “The quality of service that we are already receiving from Business Connexion is remarkable. Even though this is a free service, our expectation is that a service provider should give us the same service levels as it would to a paying client and that is what we are receiving from Business Connexion.” he said.
Connexion, it now gets sameday service. At the time of the signing of the contract, Peter Jacobs, Business Connexion Managing Account Executive for Anglo Gold Ashanti stated that Business Connexion had already commenced with the service desk and would start providing desktop service and support services by 15 April 2013.
day operations and in Business Connexion it has found a single company that is able to provide it with all of its technology needs.
to look after the Hospice Association of the Witwatersrand account and manage their day to day needs.
“We have looked at their total environment and we are now in the process of optimising it from a managed service point of view and intend to remain their trusted technology adviser,” Jacobs said.
Arnold Beyleveld, Business Connexion Group Manager for Marketing Operations and Corporate Social Responsibility commented that the company believes in the hospice and its cause and that it is a great example of selflessness.
Business Connexion has appointed an account executive
“In the next couple of weeks, we will also start providing the hospice with email services. In addition to this we will also host its website and provide it with bandwidth. Our aim is to help the hospice transition from its old to our system with minimum disruption time,” he explained.
Unwin commented that whereas before, the hospice would get Unwin further said that the | FROM LEFT Peter Jacobs ~ Business Connexion Managing Account service turnaround times of Hospice increasingly depends on Executive: Anglo Gold Ashanti and Nigel Unwin, CEO Hospice Association up to six weeks, with Business technology to carry out its day to of the Witwatersrand
BUSINESS CONNEXION TIMES
» NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 9 AUGUST On 9 August 1956, 20,000 women staged a march on the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act (commonly known as the pass laws) of 1950. Happy Women’s Day to all the women of Business Connexion.
CONGRATULATIONS TO VANESSA OLVER Business Connexion Deputy CEO, Vanessa Olver, has been selected as one of the finalists for the 2013 ‘Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards for her meaningful contribution to the industry and the positive impact this has had on our country.
EDITION 6 | PG 07
5 Questions with Michelle Branco Michelle Branco’s DNA is made up of ICT, she says it’s in her blood as most of her career has been spent in the ICT market and it’s what she’s most passionate about. She is Business Connexion’s General Manager for Communications, and has worked for Tiscali, Internet Solutions, and Vodacom, where, as the Executive Head of Marketing; she established the Vodacom Business brand in 2008 as Vodacom moved from being a mobile centric operator to a converged ICT player.
Q: What makes you so excited about this industry?
A: I think my passion emanates from
| ABOVE Michelle Branco ~ Managing Executive: Communications
a fundamental understanding of the products, services and solutions within the converged IP solutions and telecommunications services space, having held various positions in the product management, sales and marketing environments. You see ICT is changing everything for us in the new information age, it impacts the way we do business, the way we live and learn.
I firmly believe that by bridging the digital divide in Africa we will see a fundamental shift in our economy and the lives of our great nation.
Q: How do you view your role at Business Connexion?
A: I believe Business Connexion is the one player that will take Africa forward, I will be focussing on working towards achieving the business strategy including; developing the convergence solutions portfolio, specifically communications solutions for voice, data and video. I will also be growing and driving our own IP and taking us into markets we haven’t previously services. Africa is very alive with possibilities for Business Connexion. “Africa is very alive with possibilities for Business Connexion.”
Q:
How do you feel about the lack of women in the ICT industry?
A:
I am a keen supporter of transformation, and I understand the challenges we face in particular as women in a male dominated technology arena. Not enough young women consider getting technical training and entering the market in the first place. So we’ve got to start positioning ICT as the rewarding profession that it can be for women in future.
Q: What are your other passions? A:
I would like to coach young people who have an interest in the ICT industry and provide some guidance to them. I would also like to get out of the office more and make some meaningful contributions to my community.
Q:
What don’t people know about you?
A:
I am a devout animal lover! I am the mother of five fluffy animals including the latest edition to the family; two Yorkie’s, a boy and a girl.
Business Connexion Namibia CIO Summit Africa 2013 wins Microsoft accolade Business Connexion Namibia was recently awarded a Microsoft 2013 Country Partner of the Year award. This accolade highlights the exceptional work that Business Connexion in partnership with Microsoft is doing in delivering Microsoft products and services that positively impact customers. Microsoft’s annual partner awards are used as a platform to honour its partners for delivering innovative solutions during a particular year that directly address customer challenges. This past year, these included cloud technology, Windows 8, Microsoft Office and SharePoint applications, as well as entrepreneurial spirit, citizenship and sales excellence.
Business Connexion attended the CIO Summit Africa 2013, a networking platform that provided us with the opportunity to, exchange innovative ideas for ICT solutions and positioning our services and solutions on a global scale.
This year, more than 3,000 entries were collected from more than 100 countries; with award finalists and winners being selected from nominations based on their commitment to customers, their solutions’ market impact and exemplary use of Microsoft technologies. The Microsoft Annual Partner Awards have 44 categories and winners and finalists are chosen from global nominations, which are recognised at the company’s worldwide partner conference, the company’s premier annual event for industry partners. This year’s event will be held in Houston, Texan in the USA from 07 to 11 July. According to Jon Roskill, corporate vice president, Worldwide Partner Group,
| ABOVE Ferdi Graupe ~ Business Connexion Managing Executive: Namibia
Microsoft, this year’s Partner of the Year Award winners and finalists represent some of the best and brightest partners that the company’s ecosystem has to offer.
of global transformation trends. Business Connexion facilitated a Cloud Services workshop and offered free cloud assessments to all attendees and Willie Ackerman, Business Connexion General Manager for Industrial and Commercial Vertical attended the event with Sibusiso Nkabinde, Business Connexion Managing Executive for Retail and Finance and Chris Dorn Business Connexion Business Development Executive for Product Management.
Africa continues to be a hub for the future of ICT development and an attractive investment destination for potential investors, and it is against this backdrop that ICT industry leaders came together for the summit in Cape Town to discuss Africa’s ripeness for invest- “Attending the summit gave us ment. an opportunity to showcase our capabilities in Africa and beyond. This year’s summit was targeted We identified numerous opportuat forward-thinking CIOs with the nities across multiple verticals with potential to define emerging disci- some of the leading clients both in plines critical to organisations effec- South Africa and the rest of Africa.” tiveness, in order to compete on a said Sibusiso Nkabinde. global scale whilst keeping abreast
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EDITION 6 | PG 08
Netcampus goes live! Following the joint venture entered into between Business Connexion and ATIO in April that saw Business Connexion acquire 50% plus 1 share in the share capital of Netcampus (Pty) Ltd and take management control, Netcampus kicked off the first of their road show on the 5th of June at the Business Connexion head office in Midrand. The aim of the road show is to show employees and clients the exciting value proposition that the new Netcampus entity, offers. Business Connexion and Netcampus have already been working closely together over the past two years and the combined value proposition made it inevitable that the businesses merge to create a unique blended learning approach that utilises Netcampus’ future-oriented e-learning platform and Business Connexion’s extensive expertise in learning solutions. “We now own one of the most innovative learning platforms in the market which, together with our extensive learning expertise, will help organisations build a learning orientated workforce that learns to take more responsibility for their own education and training within a structured, supportive and measurable framework - preparing them to meet
organisational demands” said Jane Canny Business Connexion Group Executive. Under the theme “Future Literacy – Innovative Learning Solutions and Services” the new Netcampus showcased its brand, strategy, services and solutions for the future of e-learning in Africa through their unique Blended Learning approach. Blended Learning is the combination of key learning modes that Netcampus has identified which ensure organisations better position themselves for training purposes. These learning modes are Collaborative Learning, Live Learning, Classroom Training and e-Learning In order to help participants better understand the methodology, they built a radio by utilising three of these learning modes. What made this more special was that the exercise supported a community project that makes the wire radio cases, thus adressing unemployment. The following services will be provided by Netcampus: • General training services Sourcing and partnering with relevant industry bodies to provide training and certification utilising our 4 modes of learning.
| FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Anneke Genade, Christelle Du Plessis, Monica Heyns and Jane Canny
e.g. Microsoft Gold Learning partner, CompTIA Gold Learning Partner and MICT SETA • SAP training services Specialized services that enable the sustainable management of user competencies during a SAP implementation, re-implementation and/ or support. Development and implementation of SAP cross-modular training for customers across different industry verticals • Outsourced training services Partial or fully managed training service provided typically to the HR department or IT Department (for technical components) of a company • Training support services Our team of highly skilled Learn-
ing Practitioners ensure that material developed and delivered is aligned to Adult Learning Principles and SAQA requirements. We develop and distribute e-Learning courses that are aligned to customer needs, aimed at specific target audiences. • Technical services The Netcampus Learning Plat form is an innovative, customisable software platform specifically developed to enable organisations of all sizes to rapidly deliver and manage their own branded learning content. A consumer platform is available to the individual who wishes to upskill cost effectively, in their own time.
Collaborative Learning Courses and a catalogue of 15000 eLearning Courses including Project Management (PMBok), Adobe, Soft Skills, Business Professional Certifications, Linux and many more, all running on our platform which won the Microsoft Global Innovative Partner of the Year award in both 2006 and 2009” concluded Yvonne Lotter Managing Executive of Netcampus.
We aim to be the leader in the adult e-learning community in Africa by 2017
“Netcampus boasts over 5000
Project Tracker: Charting new ways for Project Management Applications are changing the way in which we live; economically, personally and socially. There is no denying that the applications have revolutionised the way in which we view the world.
close-up views of numerous projects at any given point in time during the course of the project. It is tailored to meet the needs of project executives, senior management, as well as portfolio/programme managers and is design ed t o work i n In an effort to continue conjunction with project providing affordable and management toolsets. efficient solutions, Business Connexion recently released an According to Andre Vermeulen, application that will change the Business Connexion Managing way organisations of all sizes Executive for Application Services, manage projects from inception this new app is setting a new to completion. standard for the efficient and effective management of all My Project Tracker is a new business projects. application that will assist organisations in meeting the My Project Tracker is available demand for reliable top-level and for download on a subscription
“My Project Tracker subscribers can access a portfolio view of their latest project information, across a host of project management toolsets” basis via the App Store. Once clients are registered, a password and username will then be assigned to them. However, it does require a level of integration with existing or new systems at the client end. The application can source information across various projects, with minimal effort , providing an integrated view of all projects using one or multiple toolsets.
Users have the ability to view project information on a global map, via individual project level dashboards or as graphical reports. Projects can be filtered on seven different levels and the selected filters are then automatically applied across the graphical reports, project listings and global map representations. Examples of these filters include: Portfolio, Program and Project Type; Company, Engagement Cluster, Department and Division; or Project Status. The application combines Project, Finance, Risk and Progress values in one simple
and easy to use management instrument. Its reporting system delivers a real-world view of the project information in such a way that summarises project “health” and highlights business areas or projects that require remedial action. “My Project Tracker subscribers can access a portfolio view of their latest project information, across a host of project management toolsets, accessing accurate dashboards combined with critical ‘drill-down’ capability. This is what makes it a valuable tool for enterprise project management or smaller projects for any organisation” concluded Vermeulen.
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EDITION 6 | PG 09
Living Our Brand through on-brand behaviour The Living our Brand on-brand campaign came hot off the heels of the Brand Geek campaign, and was a simple exercise asking employees to showcase how they make the right connections with colleagues, partners and clients.
Four weekly brand packs valued at over R 2 000 were given to the weekly winners: Jorge E Silva, Stella Uzodinma, Moses Shilunga and Sharon Favre and the grand prize of an unforgettable trip on the Blue Train for the best
on-brand entry. Jorge E Silva won the hotly contested prize for his innovative connection. Congratulations Jorge! Enjoy the Blue Train!
| ABOVE FROM LEFT On-Brand grand prize winner Jorge E Silva ~ Business Connexion Technical Manager for AMS: Platform with his wife (LEFT) and Leeya Hendricks ~ Business Connexion Senior Marketing Manager: Brand
Business Connexion Brand Geek The Brand Geek campaign was run during April and May, and was a fun and interactive way of testing employees’ knowledge of the Business Connexion brand. Employees logged onto Yammer with hopes of walking away with the Brand Geek of the week title.
World Economic Forum Tuk Tuk’s Business Connexion connected delegates who attended the World Economic Forum (WEF), from 8 - 10 May 2013 by providing Tuk Tuk’s for short distance travel in and around the conference area.
We received positive feedback from delegates about our branded Tuk Tuks – they found them a warm and convenient way to get around a windy and cold Cape Town. Now that is Connective Intelligence™
The aim of the campaign was to get employees to pull out their Brand booklets and refresh their knowledge of our Brand. Four winners were selected, and they all walked away with amazing Business Connexion goodies. Congratulations to: Weimar Pfuhl, Sello Makwe, Xola Pikoli and Rachèl Ribeiro!
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MICROSOFT DEMYSTIFY | Attendants at the Microsoft Demystify event on 24 May 2013
SPARK | Launch on 16 May 2013
SKILLS MAP | Launch on 18 June 2013
EDITION 6 | PG 10
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EDITION 6 | PG 11
MTN awards entire Wintel and Linux Server support contract to Integr8 Integr8, one of Business Connexion’s Group companies, has been awarded the contract to provide support for the entire Wintel and Linux Server environment for telecommunications giant MTN SA. Lance Fanaroff, joint CEO of Integr8, said the company’s proven track record of renowned skills and service has helped pave the way for Integr8 being awarded with this significant high-level support contract. “Integr8 has successfully fulfilled its role as MTN’s interim managed services and solutions provider and by demonstrating our
capabilities we are very pleased to have been awarded this strategic MTN support contract.” says Fanaroff. As part of this specialised Wintel and Linux server contract, Integr8 will deploy, support, and maintain a myriad of technology skills sets and competencies, with regards to: Infrastructure, Security, Messaging and Collaboration, Virtualisation, System Management, Line of Business (Wintel), and Line of Business (Linux). These services will include the following specialised areas: Active Directory, Exchange, SharePoint, Security, SCCM, SCOM, Microsoft Identity Management (FIM),
VMware, HyperV, Citrix, F5, and Compliancy, amongst many others. “MTN’s intricate projects call for the most up-to-date skill, experience, technical expertise, as well as extensive knowledge of the environment we operate in. Integr8 has the ability to support our brand in this highly competitive and fast-paced area of high-level managed ICT services and delivery,” says Louis Nel, Chief Information Officer at MTN SA. The company is well-acquainted with requirements and expectations in this space having served as the preferred ICT infrastructure services provider to a range of top tier local
and international including MTN.
enterprises, also shared by the MTN account management at Microsoft South Africa. “Our business model and service delivery offering According to Trusha Vanmali, ensures that we are able to Microsoft SA: “For the past three deliver immediate value to years I have been managing the the upper mid-corporate and Microsoft Premier agreement enterprise environments and for MTN. The major changes I help our clients maintain their have seen with Interg8 being the leadership position in competi- provider has been incredibly tive markets,” adds Fanaroff. impactful. Integr8 delivers operations success by using industry accepted “We believe that Integr8 has frameworks namely; ITIL and the resources, knowledge, Microsoft Solutions and Microsoft agility and speed to continue to Operations. They contribute meansupport MTN’s requirements ingfully to meetings and have and look forward to develop- proactivelybroughtideasofhowtodo ing this working relationship,” things better operationally across the continues Nel.This sentiment is operations environment.
Business Connexion scoops awards at Invensys Wonderware’s 21st Annual User Conference Business Connexion’s Energy and Industrial Solutions business unit walked away with two prestigious awards at this year’s Invensys X-Change User Conference held at Sun City from 21 to 24 April. The first was for the best SCADA/HMI implementation 2012: This award was in recognition of an ‘end-of-line’ scanning solution that we implemented for our client Aspen Pharmacare for its East London packing halls. The solution included both hardware and software that enabled the company to optimise and automate its data collection and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) transacting, doing away with its previous manual and time-consuming process. The second accolade was a runner-up award for Top System Integrator of the Year: This award recognises system integrators for their sales contribution for the year. Business Connexion also received a special mention at the awards gala for adding a dynamic difference to the conference with our exhibition, prize and attendance. Jaco Moolman, Managing Executive for Energy and Industrial Solutions said: “Receiving these awards was testament of the fact that we are headed in the right direction
with our strategy in the Energy and Industrial Solutions business unit. We have a lot to offer in energy efficiency and industrial automation and we are glad that the market is responding positively to our offerings.” This year’s conference focused on how Invensys can empower both operational and business employees to reach their respective objectives through the use of innovative technology. X-Change | FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Deon Barnard ~ Managing Director Invensys Operations Management, Deon van Aardt ~ Managing Director at Wonderware Southern Africa, Jaco Moolman ~ Managing Executive: Energy & Industrial is regionally recognised as a Solutions, Rob McGreevy ~ VP Platform and Applications, Invensys Operations Management window to the industrial automation and information landscape and brings together more industry professionals than any other event of its kind in Southern Africa. The conference provides a platform that enables system integrators, hardware and software suppliers, end-users and international industrial automation authorities to come together, share ideas, network and collaborate at what is widely regarded as South Africa’s premier industrial automation information event. “As the largest System Integrator in Africa, Business Connexion’s Energy and Industrial Solutions business unit had a fantastic opportunity to meet current and potential clients to discuss our Industrial and Automation Solutions expertise with and also give them some information and demonstrations of the benefits that our solutions can give their companies,” said Moolman.