AST Enterprise Hosting, the Application Infrastructure Provider business unit of the JSE Exchange-listed AST Group, has been awarded the contract for the total IT outsourcing of DPI Plastics. The three-year project, worth an initial R5 million, will see AST not only assist DPI Plastics with IT outsourcing, but with strategic business offerings that will improve its bottom line.
DPI Plastics, owned by Group Five and Sasol Chemical Industries, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of PVC and PE piping systems in Southern Africa. In addition, it also distributes a large range of products throughout Africa for the mining, building, agriculture and civil engineering industries.
In terms of the agreement, the AST Group will take full charge of application hosting, WAN services, service delivery management, Internet connectivity, enterprise systems management and service desk services. In addition, through SafeGuard iT, AST`s disaster recovery and business continuity business unit, DPI Plastics will also be provided with disaster recovery services.
"By outsourcing its IT infrastructure to AST Enterprise Hosting, DPI Plastics will benefit from ongoing consultancy in best practices and new technologies," explains Flip Pretorius, MD of AST Enterprise Hosting. "This will enable the company to make informed decisions and stay ahead of competitors in terms of technology.
"Outsourcing of non-core business components is becoming an increasingly popular trend among large companies," adds Pretorius. "DPI plastics can now concentrate on remaining a leading company in Southern Africa."
"People - and therefore Companies - buy from people, especially when the people they buy from understand the nature of their business. It is no longer just about IT services, it is all about business outcomes, and unlocking business value," explains Nico Meintjes, Executive Manager: Sales and Marketing. "To achieve this, you really have to understand the core of the client`s business, its CSFs and burning issues. One can only achieve that level of understanding by having the client`s business interests at heart, as well as a mature business relationship that allows the client to trust you with these disclosures."
"To be globally competitive, a company needs to focus on the core issues that directly contribute to the bottom line," says Glenn Geldenhuys, Managing Director of DPI Plastics. "Our company has successfully outsourced non-core activities over a number of years, which has allowed management to concentrate on continuous improvement and customer service in all areas of the business. I have no doubt that our relationship with AST will allow us to deliver on the expectations of all our stakeholders."
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The AST Group is one of SA`s largest information and communication technology (ICT) services companies that is independent of any vendor. It is the fourth largest company overall, by market capitalisation, listed in the technology sector of the JSE Securities Exchange.
The AST Group, operating from more than 60 sites, services large corporate and government clients throughout SA and has expanded to other Southern African states, Australia and the UK. Employing more than 3 500 ICT professionals, exploiting best-of-breed technology and applying international best practices, the AST Group provides services across the entire plan-build-run-leverage value creating cycle.
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