A South African team of software consultants has become a global expertise resource for the implementation and support of modules within Industrial & Financial Systems` (IFS) telecommunications solutions and is currently involved in developing a world first in terms of the integration of Web solutions.
The team is currently in the West Indies helping to implement a contract with Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT). Phase I, a three-month project entailing the implementation of IFS Retail for Telecommunications and its integration with the EPPIX billing system, running on an Oracle database at a transactional level, is currently coming to an end.
"Phase 2, which is a six-month project starting early next year, will be a world first in terms of achieving seamless integration between the billing systems and IFS`s Web-based retail solution," says Jacques Coetzee, account manager for IFS Telecommunications.
"It will enable TSTT to make the facilities within the retail solution available to its dealer network while retaining control of sales, pricing and account criteria in the billing system."
IFS South Africa`s implementation team became a global expertise resource for IFS Retail for Telecommunications following the implementation of IFS solutions at MTN South Africa, MTC Namibia and MTN Nigeria over the last two years.
"SA has become the primary IFS skills base for implementing IFS Retail for Telecommunications and integrating it with related systems, such as billing," says Gawie van der Merwe, consulting manager, IFS SA.
Initially, a team of South Africans were seconded to implement IFS software that will support TSTT`s Retail and Inventory Management processes at 10 sites.
Coetzee was responsible for carrying out the business process analysis at TSTT, with the balance of the team doing the system set up, training and integration of IFS Retail for Telecommunications with the Eppix and TDMA cellular and fixed-line billing systems.
Under the contract TSTT will deploy IFS components for customer orders, document management, invoicing, inventory, purchasing, business performance and portals.
"We expect IFS`s collaboration and portal technology to boost our growth with improved customer lifecycle management, reduced order cycle times, and better inventory control," said Nigel Forde, TSTT Mobile IT Manager. "With the assistance of IFS software, TSTT will move to a streamlined set of processes."
Commenting on IFS`s ever-growing presence in the global telecommunications markets, Van der Merwe says telecommunications operators are looking for technology that can quickly improve their bottom line without major disruptions, lengthy training or added manpower.
"IFS Applications is designed for a fast return on investment through portal and Web-based components," he adds.
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