Most of A`s major companies have an Internet presence but executives are looking at new ways to maximise the utilisation of the global network. They are on the lookout for new services that can help their companies do business better.
This trend is not lost on Internet infrastructure suppliers who are looking to broaden their services beyond the provision of connectivity.
Angus MacRobert, CEO of Internet Solutions (IS), says the company has set up a dedicated new business development team, where members apply their minds to come up with creative business solutions that can be built around Internet technology.
"For years now, companies have had basic connectivity at least and some sophisticated services built around that," he says.
"But the e-business landscape changes quickly and it`s our team`s task to predict business trends and identify technological possibilities and opportunities," says MacRobert.
Hillel Shrock, executive in charge of new business development at IS, says new business applications are designed to use existing Internet infrastructure, and to evolve the platforms and core competencies that the company has put in place over time.
"Our mandate is to come up with new services that make doing business easier and more efficient - to create more value out of the Internet for businesses," he says.
"For example, mobile messaging is a hot button right now and many organisations are looking to Internet-based technology to interactively communicate in a structured and managed way with their stakeholders. We are bringing together voice, fax and e-mail components into a mobile environment where these communications can be accessed from portable devices," he says.
Another project shortly to be rolled out to the market is a content distribution network, which will be used to deliver audio and images. In time the technology will be used to deliver inexpensive e-learning and corporate communications.
Says Shrock: "Without giving too much away, other services we are working on include new hosting offerings and pursuing more opportunities internationally.
"We are looking carefully at the way business is moving, and creating niche services driven by our customers` increasing demands for greater quality and business process optimisation.
"The team is aware of the acceleration of product lifecycles, which makes alliances, as a strategy, essential. We have teamed up with a number of innovative technology companies to bring our customers applications and services that help them do business better. South African companies are ready to adopt a growing variety of focused Internet services," he says.
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Internet Solutions (IS) is SA`s leading provider of infrastructure foundations for electronic business and the forerunner in providing companies with effective connectivity solutions.
At present, it connects over 1 500 organisations to the Internet and over 3 000 sites through its range of VPN solutions, thus forming the primary electronic business community in SA.
IS offers a fully managed environment together with expertise in areas such as Internet access, VPNs, hosting, dial-up, security and data management. Its best-of-breed infrastructure is without equal and has been the preferred choice of leading companies since 1993.
As the Internet industry leader, IS is also dedicated to sharing its success with others by providing improved access to education and information to all South Africans, particularly previously disadvantaged communities.
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