MultiChoice chooses Realyst

Issued by Global Research Partners for Realyst
Johannesburg, 25 Oct 2004

Realyst today announced that the IT, Technology and Facility unit of MultiChoice had successfully completed its contract lifecycle management (CLM) project, the first within the company.

"We needed to establish a better way of measuring our suppliers` performance as part of our latest programme that is focused on improving our service level management for suppliers," commented Suzi Kennedy, Service Level Manager for IT, Technology and Facility at MultiChoice.

"The implementation of the Realyst solution for my division has significantly helped in this regard and we are very pleased with the outcome of this project, which will also have some financial benefits for us. As a direct result of the project implementation and its positive outcome, we have now appointed someone who is responsible on an on-going basis for the management of the contracts held by MultiChoice`s IT department."

"Although CLM is only one of the components of `good governance` from an organisational viewpoint, it is already proving to have significant financial bottom line benefits for those companies, such as MultiChoice, that are now pursuing such implementations," added Tony Maddison, Director of Realyst. "Unlike many `grudge` purchases, this one does have real and rapid ROI scenarios."

At the recently held Gartner conference in Cape Town, contract lifecycle management was one of the `killer applications` identified by them as key for the next decade or two.

For further information, please contact Tony Maddison: telephone +27 11 463-5311, fax +27 11 463-7179, e-mail tmaddison@realyst.com

MultiChoice

MultiChoice Africa (MCA) is a multi-channel pay television platform with channels from Africa, Europe, Asia and the US. It provides premium television entertainment to 971 866 digital subscribers (September 2003) in 49 countries on the African continent and adjacent Indian Ocean islands through its DStv bouquet.

Through the introduction of a dynamic technology platform and the assembling of an excellent bouquet of channels, built around compelling and premium movie and sports channels, MCA has succeeded in building a significant television business, which spans the African continent.

Operations include world-class subscriber management services and the management of a digital satellite television platform broadcasting over 50 video and 56 audio channels 24 hours a day - also included are a number of data channels, the first non-return path interactive television offerings on the continent. In March 2002, MCA demonstrated its continuing innovation by launching full return path-based interactive television services and new integrated programme-related interactive services.

MCA is one of the outstanding examples of a pioneering African company, owned by the MIH Group, an international player providing entertainment, technology and e-commerce services.

MCA`s involvement in Africa goes beyond its core business, with social investment programmes in every country in which it operates. One of the company`s biggest development projects is a teacher development programme undertaken in partnership with the South African Department of Education, through the MultiChoice Africa Foundation. This programme uses satellite and information communication technology to train teachers in rural and disadvantaged urban centres across SA.

Realyst

Realyst was established in 1998 and is the leading provider of contract lifecycle management solutions in southern Africa. Realyst provides the technology solutions as well as consulting services spanning the implementation of best practice contract management methodologies and processes, education and training. Realyst offers gain share engagements designed to optimise the organisation`s contractual relationships and to deliver quantifiable savings using the Realyst processes and supporting technologies.

The services offered by Realyst include business process mapping, programme and project management, business consulting and where required, full business process outsourcing.

Realyst has developed and markets two software applications, Premises Manager and Contract Manager.

Premises Manager, launched in 1998, is a premises management system designed for the users of property and has achieved significant success in the retail sector.

Contract Manager, launched in 2002, is designed to facilitate the management of contractual relationships across the enterprise.

The Realyst user base includes several large corporate organisations including Altron, Discovery Health, Foschini, Johnnic, MultiChoice, Nike, Primedia and Woolworths.

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