PQ Africa`s networking division, PQ Networks and Kitso Networks, the South African information technology and telecommunications company, have joined efforts to design an IT infrastructure for South Africa`s newly established medical aid watch-dog, the Council for Medical Schemes. The implementation, the first of its kind for the Council for Medical Schemes, will enhance its overall work-flow and efficiency.
As a division of the Department of Health, the Council for Medical Schemes is responsible for protecting the interests of medical scheme members. The Council required a new IT infrastructure as part of the process of establishing new offices in Hatfield, Pretoria. The brief was to supply a solid IT foundation for the Council, providing simplified communication and the most up-to-date networking technologies and security levels available.
The solution had to be robust enough to establish links with the 160 medical schemes that have a total annual contribution flow of an estimated R35 billion, and seven million beneficiaries in South Africa, and with other relevant stakeholders. Working in collaboration, PQ Networks and Kitso Networks delivered a new IT infrastructure consisting of HP servers, workstations, network cabling and associated software, Nortel LAN/WAN equipment and network security.
Comments Patrick Masobe, CEO of the Council for Medical Schemes: "The two companies provided us with the perfect skills match. We are extremely impressed with the way they worked hand-in-hand on the project, alternating between facilitation, support and implementation as and when necessary."
As part of the joint initiative PQ Networks facilitated the implementation, acting as the leading company and ensuring the appropriate skills transfer. "PQ Africa recognises the important role which private business plays in the national reconstruction and development of South Africa. The group is committed to projects like the Council for Medical Schemes, that have the potential to make a difference to South Africa," comments Tim Knowles, managing director of PQ Networks. "It is particularly encouraging to be able to work on these projects with developing companies such as Kitso Networks who demonstrate such potential."
The Council for Medical Schemes was the first project for which PQ Networks and Kitso Networks submitted a joint tender. The Council for Medical Schemes identified the synergies between PQ Networks and Kitso Networks when the companies submitted their tenders. "We were very happy with the technology solution proposed by PQ Network`s, but were equally keen to give Kitso Networks the opportunity to develop its skills. The proposed joint venture provided us with the dual benefit of a concrete method of skills transfer with very controlled risk," comments Masobe.
"As this was the first time that Kitso Networks and PQ Networks had worked together there was mutual learning involved in the project. It was hugely beneficial that the two companies had complimentary skills with very little overlap or duplication. The project worked exceptionally well," comments Richard Ndlela, managing director of Kitso Networks. "Our involvement with PQ Networks on this project has assisted in building our skills capacity, providing our engineers with exposure to high end implementations and on site professional services. We look forward to future projects of this nature where we can partner with large companies such as PQ Networks."
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PQ Africa
PQ Africa is South Africa`s leading provider of competitive, innovative and flexible business solutions based on Information and Communication Technology ("ICT"). PQ Africa`s networking division, PQ Networks (PQN) has become the foremost network systems integrator and solutions provider in South Africa. PQN has established an enviable track record in providing world leading networking solutions encompassing both the wide and local area environs. This incorporates all aspects in the communication technology arena, from Telecommunications infrastructure and Virtual Private Networks to Internet technology and all the related services.
Through direct representation of the world`s top network product manufacturers PQN provides through effective sales and pre-sales qualification processes, the most appropriate technology and design to meet the customer`s business requirements. PQN is actively supplying competitive and innovative solutions to diverse industries such as finance, retail, insurance, telecommunications, manufacture, travel, utilities and government services.
With a support organisation spanning some 33 locations throughout Southern Africa, PQN have the capability to service and maintain the computer networks of companies in all market segments supporting differing geographical and service level requirements. This extensive support organisation and the sophisticated Customer Care Centre enable the outsourcing of network services, such as network management, network operations and maintenance, and bandwidth management.
Kitso Networks
Kitso Networks (Pty) Ltd is a broadly based South African Information Technology and Telecommunications company that comprises of a number of very focused and competent divisions that are able to offer world class solutions. As a division of Zakithi Investments (Pty) Ltd Kitso has since become a major contender for national and international business. With this in mind, Kitso seeks to provide cutting edge Information Technology Solutions by harnessing intellectual skills and network. This has led to our organically growth and emergence as one of the leading computer networks company with countrywide centres and partners.
At Kitso Networks we specifically design workgroup and enterprise networks that are technologically superior and reliable. Utilizing a broad range of data networking solutions that include hubs, switches, adaptors, network management and equipment for Internet/Intranet, such as routers, IP Sharers and communication servers. We are increasingly running powerful applications for our client-designed networks with offering specialising in Local Area Networks (LAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN). Kitso designs, sources network equipment, installs and configure networks.
About the Council for Medical Schemes: The Council for Medical Schemes, which according to Act 131 of 1998, was established as a separate Regulatory Authority, is inter-alia responsible for protecting the interests of all medical scheme members.