Microsoft solutions specialist Business Connexion has landed a two-year contract to provide banking giant Absa with comprehensive volume and software licensing services.
Business Connexion will work on the contract in collaboration with AST Distributed Technology Services (DTS), Absa`s IT service provider. Under the terms of the contract, Business Connexion`s licensing experts will analyse Absa`s purchasing forecasts, existing volume licence agreements and desktop standards in order to recommend the best options for software purchases. The contract covers 30 000 end-users.
Dawie Raath, AST DTS procurement manager, says stringent criteria were applied in awarding the software licensing contract. "The Absa deal required a company that could not only deliver value-added services, but also possessed a strong black empowerment record. In both respects Business Connexion is a perfect fit for the contract."
Business Connexion was formed as the result of a recent merger agreement between Business Connection (a predominantly black-owned IT Microsoft systems solution partner) and Microsoft specialist Seattle Solutions.
The new company is one of Microsoft`s most significant Southern African partners in terms of licence revenues, accreditations and service revenues. It is also one of the largest corporate resellers of Microsoft licences in SA, with an expected annual turnover of R150 million.
Raath says Business Connexion is one of AST DTS` preferred partners in volume licensing deals. The distributed services provider specialises in the desktop management process, and has secured the provision and management of end-to-end distributed technology services and solutions to major corporations such as Absa and Iscor.
Says Raath: "Business Connexion provides the service we are looking for - the company`s business methodology is exceptionally thorough and it is able to supply AST DTS and Absa with all the information needed to make accurate, informed decisions."
He adds that optimum management of the desktop environment - particularly where software licensing agreements are concerned - can contribute significantly to clients` competitiveness and profitability.
"There are hefty liabilities for companies who do not adhere to licensing agreements. At the same time, there are major price benefits for companies with high-volume licensing requirements," he adds.
Business Connexion is the only Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Enterprise Systems in SA, a status awarded to the company on the basis of its proven competence in designing, planning and deploying large enterprise solutions based on Microsoft`s newest technologies: Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server and Exchange 2000.
Benjamin Mophatlane, MD of Business Connexion, says securing the Absa contract and achieving Microsoft Gold Partner Status are milestones that illustrate Business Connexion`s success in the local IT market.
"Having secured major contracts with several government departments, alongside operations in the commercial arena, Business Connexion has established its expertise in large enterprise IT engagements," he says.
"The Absa deal marks a further strengthening of Business Connexion`s position in the local marketplace. It clearly demonstrates our national reach, world-class licensing offering and superior account management capabilities."
Mophatlane adds that Business Connexion`s expertise in software licensing has given the company competitive advantage and the opportunity for continued growth.
"Business Connexion is positioned to provide large companies with volume software licensing services and technology support, and to assist them in the implementation, deployment and support of their personal computing strategies," he concludes.
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