Black-owned information and communication technology (ICT) groups are positioning themselves to play a major role in the South African New Economy. That`s the word from Simon White, joint MD of market research firm, Forge Ahead BMI-T, which is finalising the results of the research for the Forge Ahead BMI-T Andersen Consulting Black Achievers 2000 awards and Black ICT Achievers Directory 2000 market research report.
White says that more than half (55%) of the 120 companies that participated in the research have operational websites, while around 18% of respondents provide website development services to their clients.
Considering that 43% of these companies were only established between 1997 and 1998, and 62% are small organisations with annual turnover below R5m, it is evident that black ICT companies realise the value of having a web presence as a powerful business tool, says White.
White adds that Forge Ahead BMI-T has introduced a category to this year`s Black Achievers awards that will recognise the adoption of the Internet as a business tool among black-owned ICT companies.
Alfie Naidoo at Andersen Consulting, the lead sponsor of the BMI-T Black Achievers Awards says that the larger black-empowered telecoms and IT groups such Johnnic are leading the Internet charge among black-owned ICT companies. Johnnic is an aggressive contender the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) markets through initiatives such as TradeWorld, I-Net Bridge, and Johnnic E-Ventures.
One black-owned company that stands out for its aggressive use of Internet technologies, as well as its positioning as an e-business solutions provider, is Safika Holdings, says Naidoo.
Naidoo says that most black-owned companies have recognised the value of the Internet as a communications and marketing tool that extends their geographical reach. This is the first phase in e-business enablement, which provides a solid platform for companies to use the Internet to streamline business processes and transact securely with customers and business partners.
"The achievements of these companies is particularly noteworthy because of the obstacles the limited telecoms infrastructure and the high costs of bandwidth in the country present to companies that wish to use the Internet as a channel to market," Naidoo adds.
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