MTN Network Solutions (MTN NS), a tier-1 ISP, announced today that it has entered into a strategic partnership with KeyTools for the provision of Internet access, hosting and GPRS access services to support its TransPhormer product.
TransPhormer is a remote data transfer protocol, which allows for a `relatively thin client` element to be deployed on a PDA or laptop. When activated, it enables access and data transmission, via GSM, HSCSD, GPRS or Bluetooth technologies, to central company databases, eg ERP, CRM, support and financial, thus making mobile application commerce a realistic and cost-effective proposition. It is irrelevant whether the user is contracted to Cell C, MTN or Vodacom.
"As specific and essential data only is moved between the TransPhormer-deployed server that is hosted on the MTN NS network and the `relatively thin client` (and vice-versa), time spent on connectivity is far shorter with regard to GSM and volumes of data over GPRS are drastically reduced," commented Richard Chalk, CEO of KeyTools.
"TransPhormer enables the delivery of business critical information to mobile devices enabling senior executives, sales teams, service teams or third-party agents to be more efficient and effective. Construction, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, service industries, FMCG and the public services will all be impacted by these mobile commerce developments.
"The client uses their current ISP connection to the Internet backbone and thus enables cost-effective mobile commerce for any information, at any time, in any place, in any format, using any device, for any authenticated user and in any marketplace," concluded Chalk.
"We are very excited about this application service," added Mike Brierly, CEO of MTN NS. "We will be actively marketing this capability to our user base as well as providing appropriate connectivity to other ISPs. In a reciprocal arrangement, KeyTools will also join our reseller programme, and will refer their clients who may prefer to have a direct link into MTN NS so that they can access the TransPhormer application directly with the utmost security."
"Our brand new state-or-the art hosting facility combined with the MTN NS high availability network, strong SLA, and our direct integration into the MTN GSM network were the key factors in concluding this partnership. This will guarantee the reliability that KeyTools required for their clients," said Stuart Hardy, Sales Director at MTN NS.
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MTN Network Solutions (Pty) Ltd is a wholly owned by the MTN Group and Johnnic Communications. MTN NS is a network service provider, and provides a wide range of services to corporate clients. Its key focus is on virtual private networks (IP-VPNs) , hosting and Internet access services. It is one of only four tier 1 providers in SA, and has it own national network, as well as it own International points of presence in London and Washington.
With offices located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and representation in Durban, Port Elizabeth, Windhoek and East London, MTN NS offers services nationally across the southern African region. It has the staff, the skills and expertise to plan, deploy, manage and support corporate networks of any size.
Through its direct integration with MTN`s cellular network, MTN NS is uniquely positioned to provide its clients with mobile data solutions, spanning the various technologies like SMS, WAP, HSCSD and especially GPRS.
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