As part of its new empowerment programme, business software developer, EmSoft has formed a new joint-venture company with black-owned e-commerce solutions provider WebShad. Known as Thutani, the new company will be equally owned by EmSoft and WebShad.
"In a country where the lack of IT skills has reached critical levels, empowerment plays a significant role in addressing this shortage," says EmSoft MD, Gilbert Parsons. "Software development, in particular, is an area where high-level skills are sadly lacking. Consequently, the formation of an alliance with an embryotic company such as WebShad is essential so that we pass on this expertise and enhance our offering to the market."
According to Parsons, EmSoft takes empowerment seriously. "We see our role as training previously disadvantaged individuals in sought-after developer skills, bringing them up through the ranks until they are well versed in our products and methodologies, and are capable of managing an entire project on their own, " he explains.
EmSoft`s product base includes a variety of applications across all sectors of the market. All have built-in development and modification tools to facilitate customization.
Parsons adds, however, that while the company boasts internationally recognized, highly functional products, many of which are locally developed, a partner skilled in the implementation of these products will serve to enhance its offering even further.
"A company such as WebShad can make a vital contribution in this regard, owing to the wide range of integration services it provides," he says.
"SITA has recently slated those organizations who use black-owned companies as window-dressing to procure business. We believe empowerment is about responsibility. If we can hand that responsibility over to a company for reward, then we have achieved true empowerment," Parsons concludes.
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