Bytes Technology Group (BTG) has further strengthened its relationship with international communications service provider Alcatel, with the inclusion of the vendor`s full product offerings within its BTG Systems Integration (BTG SI) division.
The extension of the relationship comes on the back of a renewed local channel expansion drive by the French company Alcatel, and its desire to drive more aggressively into the convergence arena.
The Advanced Technology Services (ATS) division within BTG SI has a wealth of experience and a depth of technical skills in and around the areas of wireless, voice and data, making it an ideal partner of choice for Alcatel.
Says Rob Griggs, Executive Director of BTG SI: "Alcatel has shared a long history with BTG, and we are delighted that the company has looked internally at BTG in order to take the relationship that one step further. BTG Systems Integration is an enterprise solutions and services company, and we aim to provide our customers with the best possible solutions, even if it be product-agnostic.
"That said, we align ourselves with international vendors which provide best in class solutions, and ensure our team has the technical competencies to effectively implement each one of these - to the exacting requirements of the customer. It is against this backdrop that we are eager to start taking the Alcatel product set and vigorously drive it to market."
As part of the agreement, BTG SI will have access to the full suite of end-to-end Alcatel voice and data products, with a view to taking its products and solutions in the convergence arena to market.
Alcatel currently provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees.
The company boasts sales of 12.3 billion euro and operates in more than 130 countries. Alcatel has in excess of 7 000 voice and data installations in SA.
"Clients and system integrators alike are starting to broaden their thinking on vendor strategy for converged solutions," says Gary McHugh, Channel Director, S&E Africa at Alcatel Enterprise Solutions Division.
"Alcatel, known for its leadership in voice communications, has been a sleeping giant in data infrastructure offerings; however, with some recent big wins in both Europe and the US in the IP market, we are quickly becoming a major competitor for converged enterprise solutions.
"Our customers are also looking for technology partners which are able to provide both strong voice and data competencies, and it is with this that we have looked to bring on additional competencies from BTG to assist us in taking our products to market. BTG SI is a business division which provides fully integrated solutions and services to the enterprise and adds the kind of value we believe our customers are looking for."
While BTG has a strong position in the local market in and around the PBX and voice market, it only touches the tip of the data market.
It is with this that the newly defined relationship will combine the expertise of the data-rich experience within BTG SI`s ATS division with the voice competencies within the group through Bytes Communication Systems.
"Our positioning to clients is that of trusted advisor - where we not only assist in the identification of the required technology, but provide business solutions and services that provide additional drivers into their business through a `solutions` sell as opposed to a technology sell. Taking the Alcatel brand, which is the clear leader in Gartner`s Unified Communications and Corporate Telephony Magic Quadrants, that one step further into the group will provide us an additional element to this overall strategy," ends Griggs.
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BTG Systems Integration is a division of Bytes Technology Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a member of the multibillion-rand JSE-listed Bytes Technology Group Ltd and Altron group. The company provides its clients with world-class software and service offerings based on platforms, processes and methodologies from acknowledged industry leaders.
BTG Systems Integration business units include: Managed Consulting Services (MCS), SAP, Advanced Technology Services, AXAPTA, KRONOS Time and Attendance, Microsoft Solutions, Configured Solutions, Process Management and Control (PMC), and Professional Services.
Some of our world-class partnerships and products include Business Objects, Kashya, NetApp, Microsoft, Enterasys, Centennial, Cisco, HP, Serena, Nexan, SeeBeyond, Interwoven, Sanrand, Chordiant and Interwoven. BTG Ltd is divided into international and South African operations. KAGISO has a 27% shareholding in BTG SA (Pty) Ltd. The South African operations include: BTG Systems Integration (the combination of the former Bytes Technology Networks, Bytes Business Solutions, Bytes Software, Spearhead and CS Holdings, Systems Integration Division); Bytes Document Solutions (formerly Xerox SA), Bytes Specialised Solutions (formerly NDS), Bytes Managed Services, Bytes Business Communication Systems (formerly Alcatel Business Systems) and Digital Healthcare Solutions. International comprises: BTG UK operations and our Africa operations based in Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Mauritius. BTG has offices throughout SA, as well as in Africa and the UK.
For more information, visit www.btgroup.co.za.
Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of 12.3 billion euro and 56 000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
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