NetCom CRM, provider of computer telephony integration (CTI) infrastructure and technologies, has re-established itself as PDQ Convergence, an integrated communications and services company operating in Southern Africa.
PDQ COO Gary Shepherd says the move serves to eliminate market confusion with similarly named NetCom Solutions, and to align PDQ to meet future market demands associated with emerging voice over IP (VOIP) technologies.
PDQ, which was launched yesterday, describes itself as an integrated communications and services organisation born from an established group of companies and merging of a number of other existing businesses.
Shepherd says one of the companies new to the group is ISP Blue Knight. More companies are also being taken on board, with announcements on these due soon. The new group says it will be positioned to enable continuous business operations for all customers, including communications infrastructures, ISP services, data solutions and financial technology.
"NetCom CRM was originally born out of the NetCom Solutions stable and became the sole Southern Africa distributor for Mitel Networks, a leading-edge provider of next-generation IP telephony solutions," explains Shepherd. "Following Mitel`s acquisition of March Networks, the company is now looking to include video and data technologies in its offering, so the partnership between Mitel and ourselves will continue to play an integral role in our business."
PDQ comprises four integrated business units, each of which focuses on its own capability in the fields of voice solutions, Internet services, data solutions and financial technologies. "In this way, the customer can choose to interact with us through one or a combination of any number of these services, or can invest in all four as a total solution," says Shepherd.
PDQ Voice Solutions concentrates on the emerging integration of voice and data networks, and provides business solutions in the telephony, call centre and customer relationship management environments.
Shepherd says the ability to offer data and voice technologies will eventually prove to be a significant advantage to PDQ. "Once VOIP has established itself, many vendors will struggle to compete because they will either have data only or voice only capabilities. We, on the other hand, will already have extensive expertise in both. Additionally, the availability of more network bandwidth means that video communication is also rapidly coming to the fore and the ability to meet market demands in this regard will prove critical."
Shepherd says one differentiator for PDQ in the marketplace is that it has also developed new financial transaction packages that allow for better control and management of account debits, including preauthorisation capabilities, a facility that electronically notifies a customer before money is debited, and enables more flexibility in payment options. PDQ Financial Technologies develops and implements real-time, online financial transaction processing solutions.
"These custom solutions are developed around customer requirements, and are geared towards alleviating the management and operational issues relating to bulk debit orders and Internet credit card authorisations."
Shepherd says PDQ`s Internet services include off-site e-mail and security maintenance, with SMEs and mobile workers in mind. He adds that PDQ Internet Services also offers reliable connectivity to the Internet, as well as e-mail services. "Additionally, full management services, which include monitoring and control of Internet usage in compliance with our customer policies, are also provided. These facilities can be geared towards full remote support of a data network in conjunction with our Data Solutions unit."
PDQ Data Solutions focuses on the design, implementation and support of disaster-proof local and wide area networking, utilising the appropriate technology, including fast-emerging technologies associated with network-attached storage and storage area networking.
"This unit combines in-depth professional consultancy experience with proven project and systems management methodologies," says Shepherd. "Outsourced services in areas such as facilities management, ad hoc technical engineering and remote network management are coupled to a fully-fledged call centre, which can provide the required support services."
PDQ`s client base includes the financial, government and utilities sectors. The company is already established in SA and sub-Saharan African countries, including Botswana, Malawi and the DRC.
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