AST, Orion Telecom join forces to unlock telecommunications value

The AST Group has signed an agreement with Orion Telecom, which will enable it to offer substantial reductions in international telephone and cellphone call charges to its client base while adding value at the same time. Combining AST`s skills and knowledge in the telecommunications industry with Orion`s range of innovative telecommunication services, the partnership provides solutions that can contribute immediately to the organisation`s bottom line. "AST`s business-oriented solutions approach enables clients to customise solutions to their business needs and, by using solutions such as those provided by Orion, will assist in improving customer service while reducing operating costs," explains Andries Oberholzer, Account Manager, Telecommunication for AST Vaal Triangle.

"Our clients can benefit from substantial and immediate savings with minimal once-off setup costs for systems which connect to most existing infrastructures. The range of value added innovations from Orion is growing all the time and we are very pleased to be in the forefront of solutions providers able to market and integrate these."

One example of such an offering is the Orion Cellular least cost routing service which integrates seamlessly with existing PABX systems and transmits calls to cell phones directly via the GSM network, thereby saving up to 28% on cellular calls. A comprehensive range of connection options is available for both analogue and digital PABXs.

Although Orion Telecom is the largest `full-service` suppliers of corporate telecommunications solutions, and is the only company in South Africa to offer a full spectrum of data and voice services, it is through specialist sales and management teams within Orion, that the company is able to deliver immediate and lasting value for its customers. Orion is constantly developing new solutions, now especially in the converging fields of telephony and messaging where unification is being sought by the market place.

"Our innovative services, which save money and add value, are the cornerstones of our success in the marketplace and will leverage AST`s efforts and synergise with their expertise too. Customers are looking to single source suppliers for technologies which they can no longer manage or afford to bring in-house. This is precisely the market space that we are jointly targeting," says Jacques du Toit, National Business Development Manager of Orion Telecom. "Obviously we will deploy best business practices to deliver a win-win for all parties."

While a number of cellular service providers offer a least cost routing service, the market has come to realise that significant expertise is required in scoping, installing and managing the installation after the sale. "It is in this area that we have focussed our energies to ensure that our business is built to last," added du Toit.

Drawing on this experience and technical expertise, AST will immediately apply its own specialist knowledge of contact centre technologies and business strategies to unlock value for its existing and client base.