IOCORE - previously known as NATH (New Africa Technology Holdings) - has developed several leading Internet applications for the upcoming new e-commerce company, Trivella and Associates, trading as Fingershopper.
IOCORE is a $100m high-technology group employing 1, 000 people worldwide across 14 countries. Key capabilities of the Group include e-commerce, billing systems, ERP, Supply Chain and financial applications.
IOCORE`s Application Development Division Practice Manager, Esias Bootha, says in addition to work done on the Fingershopper site, IOCORE has worked on several other sites for Trivella and Associates.
These include the highly successful Afrishop, an e-commerce site which markets a large range of goods with an African theme, WeddingGift, which enables people to purchase gifts for couples online and the virtual Hi-Fi Corp e-commerce site, where people can buy merchandise from the store.
Bootha says IOCORE`s most intensive development was with the WeddingGift site. "This allows couples that are to be wed to put their picture and a description of themselves on the site, as well as a list of gifts that they prefer. People can also post messages to the couple on the site."
Trivella and Associates technical director Lynne Trivella says: "We have now used IOCORE to assist us in the development of a number of applications. They have met their deadlines and produced work of an extremely high calibre.
"But the area in which I have found them to excel in is their interpersonal skills. They are friendly and always willing to `go the extra mile`."
She says Fingershopper chose IOCORE because of the IT company`s good reputation in the industry. "E-commerce is still in its infancy in South Africa but has immense potential," Trivella explains. "We want to be top of mind when e-commerce does reach the big time in this country - which will undoubtedly happen."
Trivella cites statistics that online sales increased by 177% from R420m in 1997 to R1.16 billion in 1998. "Some 24% of local web users have already bought by web and 94% will do so again."
She says the company`s flagship is Fingershopper: "With a focus on gifts and lifestyle products, Fingershopper ensures users never forget another important date and helps them choose an appropriate product. When clients register as shoppers we will remind them of birthdays and other important days either via e-mail or SMS and, if requested, send information on special offers, tailored to specific lifestyles."
Fingershopper aids customers by allowing them to search under certain criteria - for example "male, child" - and presenting a list of suitable gifts.
Like most Internet businesses, Fingershopper commenced business on a shoestring. It developed in a garage in Randpark Ridge and has now evolved into a highly sophisticated e-commerce site, backed by major JSE-listed companies, according to Trivella.
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