Already recognised as a provider of infrastructure as a service from its Africa-leading data centres, Business Connexion has announced a new relationship, which sees it growing its presence in the software as a service environment. By partnering with SIPCOM, the company is ready to deliver Microsoft-based communication and collaboration solutions, including Exchange, Lync with full Enterprise capabilities, and SharePoint, on the SaaS model.
Business Connexion CEO Benjamin Mophatlane says the deal has strategic significance for the company. “The way in which companies are procuring and using information and communication technologies is changing. The SaaS model is maturing rapidly; from its appeal to small to medium businesses, it is quickly coming to the attention of the enterprise,” he says.
That's because SaaS services are rapidly configurable, come at a low cost and provide flexibility to adapt to changing business circumstances. Business Connexion's infrastructure as a service provides the same advantages for 'hardware'-based services, such as computing power and storage capacity. “By adding SaaS capability to our product and solutions capability, we have in effect fulfilled our strategic intent of becoming a complete cloud solutions provider, taking full advantage of our data centre capacity,” Mophatlane asserts.
SIPCOM, says Johann van Schalkwyk, Business Connexion Managing Executive for the Microsoft division, provides a proven platform 'at scale' for the delivery of SaaS solutions. “The company has a presence in over 40 countries with thousands of customers. Simply put, SIPCOM knows how to configure and structure large-scale SaaS for easy consumption by users.
And the value that Business Connexion adds, continues Van Schalkwyk, lies in its market reach, consulting and delivery capability in Africa, as well as its data centre assets, which will host the software.
Explaining how SaaS will be delivered to African clients, he says online solutions will be directly accessible via the Business Connexion online procurement channel, and via resellers on a channel-based model.
SIPCOM CEO Daniel Allen is enthusiastic about its entry into the South African and African markets. “Our goal is to create services which are easy for clients to understand and easy for them to procure. With its substantial hosting and delivery infrastructure, Business Connexion is the ideal partner of choice to take popular Microsoft solutions to market on the SaaS model,” he says.
Furthermore, Allen points to Business Connexion's experience in the services on-demand environment. “With its customer base, proven delivery capability and extensive reach, this is a natural fit for us, which I'm sure will be beneficial to all parties. It's a very powerful combination.”
While the initial deal with SIPCOM is for three years, Van Schalkwyk anticipates that it will run 'for as long as there is demand for cloud services'. “We anticipate a long-term partnership. Whether in charge of large or small companies, managers and directors are seeing the advantages of the SaaS model. Together with SIPCOM, we are now able to offer clients a range of software options and choices; clients can procure reliable, cost-effective solutions for their businesses, irrespective of their size.”
For media queries, please contact:
1. Miranda Lusiba
Group Manager: Communication, Marketing & Communications @ Business Connexion;
Tel: +27 11 2909112 / +27 83 2128624;
Email: Miranda.Lusiba@bcx.co.za
2. Vernicia Pillay
Marketing & Communications Assistant @ Business Connexion
Tel: +27 11 2909101
Email: Vernicia.Pillay@bcx.co.za
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Business Connexion
Business Connexion is a leading integrator of innovative business solutions based on information and communications technology (ICT). With over 4 000 employees and a track record spanning 32 years, Business Connexion runs mission-critical ICT systems and manages products, services and solutions for JSE listed and key public sector organisations, parastatals and medium-sized companies.
Business Connexion has a unique business model that represents the company's approach to configuring and integrating business solutions, which we develop and implement by drawing on expertise from entrenched competencies across the organisation. In order to deliver a world-class service, Business Connexion has developed strong relationships and attained top-level certification with many of the world's leading ICT suppliers. To find out how we can connect your business to a world of endless possibilities, visit www.bcx.co.za.
SIPCOM
SIPCOM provides partners with access to its Global Services Network: a next generation resource that combines hosted voice, unified communications and data services with solid network and infrastructure solutions; all underpinned by its strategically located data centres. SIPCOM's white label services include: unified communications as a service (UCaaS), sales, billing, technical support and training. For more information, visit www.sipcom.com.
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