Integr8 IT proves why women now lead in IT

Tami Sussman, regional director at Integr8 IT, Africa's leading 400+ people strong ICT managed services provider, has been selected as a potential recipient of the African ICT Achievers 'Top ICT Business Woman in Africa' Award.

Sussman joined the group's board of directors a few years ago and was appointed to the position of regional director, a role that calls for interactive management of all Integr8 branches, at director level.

The business network is spread throughout the country and Sussman's core function is to assist in maintaining service levels and entrenching the presence of the group and its associate companies.

At the time, she said her appointment was empowering from an individual point of view but that it also attested to the group's maturity in following and applying global HR practices.

Sussman's election in the Top ICT Business Women in Africa award is based on recognition for her contribution to the business and industry at large.

"It is an honour to be recognised for this prestigious award. Professionally, it goes a long way to further cement the company's roots in South Africa and Africa. As a fully established and BEE local entity, it helps to entrench our proactive managed service and emphasize the value of our nerve centre to provide knowledge transfer to local skills in support of both African and global markets," says Sussman.

"This is further proof to the fact that Integr8 IT is regarded as a leading and reputable ICT infrastructure and services group in this dynamic and exciting industry," she adds.

While Sussman agrees that the ICT industry has traditionally been limited in its offer of credible opportunities to women and its support of equality in the workplace, she now believes there has never been a better time for a South African professional woman to advance their careers in ICT.

"Opportunities are plentiful for women in the ICT sector today. There is really nothing stopping South African women from entering the ICT sector and excelling at it. There is no glass ceiling in this sector and women have an equal opportunity to men to become company CEOs, directors, software developers or CIOs. I think women in the ICT sector should make an effort to take up positions where they have increased decision-making powers or where they are at the cutting edge of technological developments," Sussman continues.

Should the thirty-something-year-old director take honours at the awards, her supposition at this point is that she will be taken more seriously within her workplace environment, and is a genuine 'feather in the company's cap'.