Ariel Technologies Botswana, a subsidiary of arivia.kom, has extended its contract with the Botswana Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). The new project, the second phase of a successfully implemented contract, is worth R4.8 million and forms part of arivia.kom`s drive to expand its business network in the rest of Africa.
In March 2003, the Botswana Ministry of Agriculture and Ariel Technologies Botswana signed off a R5.9 million contract. The project included the provision, design, supply, and implementation of infrastructure to 250 users in Gaborone and remote sites in southern and western parts of Botswana. This was achieved by mid-January 2003, six weeks ahead of schedule and well within the estimated cost. The infrastructure capability included cabling and networking services, remote services, e-mail facilities and the configuration of hardware and software.
In terms of the recent award of the business, the second phase of this project began on 6 July. During this phase, the 15 sites to be implemented will cover the northern sector of Botswana, starting in the central district and will cover remote sites as far north as Kasane, Maun and Shakawe on the borders of the Okavango delta 1 300km away from Gaborone.
MoA IT manager, Mande Mandevane has expressed his satisfaction with progress and notes that the second phase of the project will provide managers, even in remote sites, with ready access to e-mail, the Internet and data sharing, thus ensuring good management processes and improved service delivery.
The remoteness of these sites will provide a number of challenges, but Steve Oliver, Ariel Technologies Botswana CEO, is confident that the company will meet all stated objectives.
As with the previous contract, arivia.kom will make extensive use of local expertise where possible, and will assign the cabling work to Botswana-based companies while local trainers will once again undertake the IT related training of the Ministry of Agriculture staff.
Arivia.kom is in the process of strengthening its position in Botswana through Ariel Technologies Botswana.
Bheki Nkomo, executive for the Africa division of arivia.kom, notes: "The strengthening and repositioning of the Botswana office is an important step in terms of our commitment to Botswana and the continent."
Arivia.kom is a leading South African IT company operating throughout Africa, with a proven ability to implement customised, integrated IT solutions and provide services at whichever global location clients may specify. Its end-to-end services and solutions generate significant business advantages for its clients. It has a thorough understanding of the market sectors on which it focuses and an impressive track record as proof of its capabilities. http://www.arivia.co.za
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