Internet Solutions (IS), a leading communications and network service provider, has been awarded the ability to register domains directly with ICANN, making IS the only network service provider in Africa to be able to do so.
ICANN is the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers and is the international body responsible for the allocation of IP addresses, top level domain management (eg, .com, .info) and country code system management.
ICANN tracks and manages the issuing of all IP addresses and ensures the domain name system (DNS) allows users to resolve domain names (www.is.co.za) into IP addresses (196.34.149.154).
In essence, ICANN allows the Internet user to remember a Web site name instead of its IP address. It also makes sure there are no "crossed-wires" - the correct IP addresses are allocated to the correct organisations.
Mark Strathmore, Manager of Access Solutions at IS, says: "We are so used to typing domain names into our browsers that we often do not realise that a company's domain is very much part of their brand and identity. Many companies register multiple domains both to cover a diverse product set, as well as to prevent reputational risk associated with other entities 'squatting' on a domain that sounds or looks similar. Previously, companies (or individuals wishing to register a domain) would have to go through several intermediaries in order to register domains. This added complexity, cost and time to the process. IS can now address all three of these areas by directly providing domains on behalf of ICANN.
"Anyone who has ever requested more IP addresses will understand the complexity in terms of being issued additional IP address space. Also, we are developing a Web interface to this service which will make both the application and management process significantly easier," concludes Strathmore.
For additional information, see http://www.is.co.za/domains/Domains.htm and www.icann.org.
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Internet Solutions (IS) is a leading provider of end-to-end connectivity solutions and related services across the African continent. The people at IS are passionate about constantly innovating and delivering solutions and services that are relevant and critical to their customers. These services are built on a world-class, secure, resilient infrastructure, delivered according to global best practices and effected in partnership with the world's leading technology vendors. It is through these services and solutions that IS creates a competitive edge for its customers' communication needs, and promotes sustainable business growth.
The business was founded in 1992 on the principle of developing a robust infrastructure in order for corporates and other organisations to communicate. Since then, IS has established itself as a leader in this space, attracting over 80% of South Africa's top businesses as clients. From listed companies to non-governmental organisations, local and national government and smaller companies, IS is enabling and evolving communications to meet the business needs of thousands of customers.
Today the company enjoys a leadership position as it delivers services including: hosting, access, security solutions, virtual private network, mobile solutions, VOIS, African solutions, broadband and application services. Recent growth in the African economy has resulted in IS spreading its services across all parts of the continent as clients demand reliable and robust networking connectivity in the African market.
Internet Solutions has been certified as a Level 4 contributor to BEE (100% compliant), and has earned an impressive collection of accolades and awards.
Partnerships with major global players such as Cisco and Microsoft are also fundamental to IS, and as such Internet Solutions was recently awarded Microsoft Gold Certification in the hosting specialisation for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration (Hosted Exchange and SharePoint) and Managed Hosting Solutions - the first South African company to achieve this accreditation. Similarly in 2002 IS was certified as a Cisco Managed Security Service Provider, the first company outside of the US to be awarded this accolade.
For more, visit us on www.is.co.za.
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