ISolutions` African road pays off

By Iain Scott, ITWeb group consulting editor

Johannesburg, 03 Feb 2003

JSE-listed Interconnective Solutions` (ISolutions`) African expansion helped to boost turnover by 78% in the six months to end-October.

Chairman and CEO Mark Smith says the turnover increase from R4.44 million to R7.9 million is largely attributable to the strategy of establishing interactive voice response (IVR) platforms in African countries.

Also contributing to the growth was the increase in minutes on the FoneWorx SA IVR platform and increased revenue from new clients and tighter controls as a result of restructuring.

Smith says the restructuring has progressed well, particularly with regard to the focus as an application service provider for value-added voice and data services using the group`s interactive digital platform in the provision of services to fixed or mobile devices.

"In addition, the group`s entry into the export of this technology and turnkey services offering within Africa is progressing well with very exciting prospects during the calendar year of 2003.

"The increased footprint of mobile cellular services in many African countries has established outstanding prospects for the group to provide hosting of value-added services using the group`s IVR platforms supplied to the contracting party in each territory."

Smith says ISolutions hosts a platform of 600 channels of digital voice and data in SA and has recently commissioned a platform of 120 channels in Kenya and 120 in Botswana.

Other countries being evaluated are Mozambique, Swaziland, Uganda, Nigeria, Angola and Rwanda.

"The strategy to roll-out to Africa will provide an excellent voice and data footprint to a number of multinational companies, such as those operating in the fast moving consumer goods environment, promoting their products through media such as DSTV, satellite radio, etc," Smith says.

"This footprint will provide these entities with a 'one-stop` gateway to market their products and services."