Data Pro, part of the JSE-listed Control Instruments group - and one of SA`s leading ISPs (Internet Service Providers) - has announced its entry into the much-touted VPN (Virtual Private Network) industry, with the launch of a transport-focused VPN.
The company was recently appointed as a Lucent VAR (value-added reseller) and, now that Lucent has merged with another major communications player, Ascend, believes the right mix of technology is available to "enter the VPN market and do justice to it on a local front".
This is according to Douglas Reed, MD Data Pro, who confirmed that the company`s VPN will focus exclusively on the transport sector. "This is because Control Instruments has a recognised pedigree in this market sector. The company currently tracks most of the corporate vehicles in SA through its renowned Matrix vehicle tracking system. This is a market we understand - and this is where we believe we can add most value on behalf of our client base."
Control Instruments is also a preferred supplier to leading companies such as BMW and Mercedes.
Reed said the company has already set up a VPN infrastructure with what he termed a "transport portal". He said the company`s new network is arguably one of the best in the industry and has been standardised on Lucent technology - at an investment cost of millions of Rands.
"The entire transport industry can link into our network. We will be leveraging all the alliances held by Control Instruments, as well as the experience gained in this market since the 1940s. We believe no-one else will be able to compete in this industry - certainly not at our level. While other VPNs might be focusing on the medical or financial services markets, we are focusing on what we believe to be our strongest forte - transport." Data Pro`s VPN infrastructure will essentially be running off its recently-launched E-Link network, a network tagged by the company as a "wide area network of the future".
The company has already invested well in excess of R10m to establish E-Link.
Reed said the company`s new transport portal will cover literally any aspect or facet of the transport industry, adding that "anyone that is anybody" in this market sector would benefit from making use of its capabilities. "We are talking about fleet management and tracking, vehicle auctions, vehicle financing, or simply the marketing of new products."
The company is also in a position to stream data via satellite feeders, thanks to a recently-concluded agreement struck with InfotSat. "This means we can stream data straight into a fleet manager`s computer, enabling him to obtain all the information he may require about his fleet management system, fast and effectively - with no downtime."
The applications are endless. When a vehicle fills up with petrol, for instance, this information can automatically be sent to the central control system, giving management precise and up-to-the-minute data on their entire operation. Video conferencing is also a reality with Data Pro`s transport portal.
"We were either going to move into this market and start building market share from scratch, or we were going to leverage on our existing experience and market position - and become a major player in this market immediately. We chose the latter," said Reed, "and we believe it will ensure that we become the leading transport VPN in Southern Africa." The company also believes the move into the VPN market will create "cross-pollination" for its ISP business.
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