Out of the trend of employees bringing personal devices to work and the consumerisation of IT, has arisen a challenge for IT departments: the integration of personal technology with organisations' back-end systems.
This challenge has prompted a strategic partnership between leading South African ICT services company Gijima and Apple, which was announced today by Apple's value-added distributor, Core Group.
Gijima is the first to be appointed as an authorised systems integrator (SI) for Apple in SA. The listed company will assist with the support for Apple hardware and software solutions that work with company-managed systems.
According to Gijima, industry observers have noted that IT departments are faced with the twofold challenge of integrating company-owned technology, as well as personal devices of employees. “Employees recognise that devices, such as the iPad, are excellent productivity tools and are demanding that their personal technology integrates with their organisation's back-end systems.”
Executive director of Core Group RJ van Spaandonk says the use of Apple technology has increased substantially in the enterprise space, demanding more systems support. “We recognise that the trend of 'bring-your-own-device' has increased with the consumerisation of IT and the launch of the iPad. Gijima has been appointed to meet the increased demand for support and will assist organisations with their Apple technology requirements.”
Directive shift
CFO of Gijima Carlos Ferreira says there has been an about-face in organisations' use of devices. “The consumerisation of IT has brought about a turnaround in the use of devices in the workplace. A few years ago, the CIO would dictate what devices people would use, but lately it is the people who are dictating. CIOs now have to adapt to handle the security issues that come with this shift, and that is what is driving this move.”
“Tablets are especially suited to those who are out on the roads, and this is why we have seen a huge wave of growth, with the devices being far more appropriate and user friendly for certain jobs.”
Business information
Ferreira says the integration and support strategy is twofold. “We will sell the devices and implement the integration of these.” The former, he says, goes hand-in-hand with consolidated support and maintenance of the devices.
He adds that the integration of devices will primarily serve to facilitate access to and use of business information. “Managers can monitor and access business transactions and communication by their employees, as well as administration information. Managers can, for example, calculate petrol claims and toll road fees, or access leave applications. This all happens through the iPad.”
Ferreira says the implementation of this system is currently at work within Gijima itself. “In June this year we integrated 3 300 iPads into our own organisation, so we have firsthand experience with the requirements and systems needed to support companies with their Apple technology needs.”
As an authorised reseller and SI, Gijima will sell and support iPad, MacBook Pro, Macbook Air, iMac, Mac Mini, Lion and Lion Server to both small and large enterprises. Ferreira says the partnership is part of the company's Vision 2025 initiative, by which Gijima looks to grow into a leading black-owned company with global reach within a 15-year period.
“Becoming the first systems integrator in SA to have the opportunity to assist companies with tangible solutions for integrating Apple technology into their organisation is a very exciting opportunity for us. Historically, Apple never played a huge part in enterprises, but rather it was more retail-based. Now, due to the consumerisation of IT, the devices are playing a considerable role in business communications.”
The Gijima-Apple partnership will create immense opportunities for companies in SA, Ferreira concludes.
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