The AST Group has signed an agreement to resell Trispen Technologies` IP-Granite range of virtual private network products and solutions. AST intends to develop the VPN market intensively - the agreement forms part of the security strategy for AST Security Management.
According to Michael Horn, General Manager of AST Security Management, AST chose Trispen because of the business focus of its VPN solutions.
"In today`s dynamic business environment, a company`s ability to swiftly adapt its IP services to evolving market conditions and business requirements is key to creating and sustaining a competitive advantage," says Horn. "Trispen has best-of-breed, standards-based VPN solutions that compete favourably with other VPN products internationally."
AST also gains access to Trispen`s expertise in designing complex VPN solutions; something that Horn says is a crucial building block to AST`s security strategy. "AST sees the IP-Granite suite of products becoming the VPN Solution of choice in a security strategy," he says. "We see huge opportunities in the future in the VPN market. Trispen`s products will expand the current market`s view of VPN solutions and show it the cost-effectiveness of exploiting the Internet by using VPN technology."
Trispen CEO Jaco Botha says that although IP-Granite outperforms most products it is flexibility that has become the key to a successful business strategy. "Since no two customers have the same requirements, service companies need to form relationships with suppliers that provide the flexibility to supply offerings that fit the customer`s needs as closely as possible," he says. "The IP-Granite VPN range offers AST this flexibility."
Under the partnership, AST`s development team has direct access to Trispen`s development team. "This will enable AST to incorporate VPN technology in their service offerings on a `built in` - not `bolt on` - basis," says Botha.
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In just three years the AST Group has established itself as one of the leading information and communication technology companies on the JSE Securities Exchange. Its consistent creation of value for shareholders, clients and employees has resulted in a steady increase in monthly revenue to the R100 million plus mark.
AST is now the fourth largest South African IT company by market capitalisation, and is one of the top three in terms of physical infrastructure (mainframe, servers and desktops, and networks under management) and geographical footprint with over 62 physical locations.
Counting almost 90% of the top 100 JSE-listed companies among its clients, the AST Group services mostly large corporate and government clients, but is increasingly offering its services to rapidly evolving small and medium enterprises.
Trispen Technologies
Trispen Technologies designs and develops new products that enable the networked economy. The security of sensitive or confidential information is one of the cornerstones of e-commerce and the new economy - where companies and industries are increasingly linked over a public network such as the Internet. The staff of Trispen Technologies has many years of in-depth experience in developing security products for the networked environment.
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