Oracle SA has presented its annual "Partner of the Year" award to Unihold Database Solutions (UDBS), the Unihold Group subsidiary that specialises in database sales, services and support for Oracle relational database management systems.
The award was presented at the Oracle Excellence Awards function in Johannesburg last night by Kelvin Reynolds, Oracle SA General Business and Alliances country manager. He acknowledged the achievements of Oracle channel partners in a number of categories. Awards were also presented to:
IOCORE Africa - Applications Partner of the Year
ERP.com - Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing
CCH - Sales and Market Development
Dimension Data I-Commerce - Best New Partner 2000
Makana Business Solutions - Emerging Partner of the Year
Hewlett-Packard - Vendor Alliance Partner of the Year
KPMG - Alliance Partner of the Year 2000
Speaking at the ceremony, Reynolds said Oracle`s Partner Programme has grown from strength to strength over the past year.
"In 1999 Oracle had 43 channel partners nationally, Today we have 123," he said.
"We congratulate and salute our winners and wish them every success for the future. It is largely through their efforts that Oracle has posted a record 100% growth in revenue over the past year."
Reynolds said Oracle`s achievements in South and southern Africa have been supported by the dedication of Oracle partners, who have flown the Oracle flag to great effect this year.
"While the awards presented here tonight recognise and honour those partners who have demonstrated exceptional performance, Oracle`s success is due - without exception - to the endeavours and application of all our channel team members."
Reynolds noted that Oracle certifications have increased significantly over the past year as more Oracle partners focus on broadening the technical skills and knowledge of their employees.
"Our market profile has also evolved over the past 12 months," he continued. "Our focus - and the focus of our partners - is increasingly being directed at the mid-market, or SME space.
"Oracle`s results reflect this trend, with 43% of license revenues being gained from SME customers.
"This shift in emphasis is in line with analyst findings in the US and Europe, where a 48% - 53% move to the SME market has been predicted by Oracle watchers."
Reynolds added that nine South African Oracle partners have been recognised by Oracle EMEA as having reached "world-class" standards in terms of Oracle systems certification.
Awards to the following companies will shortly be presented by Oracle EMEA: Anderson Consulting; Bynx Lid; CCH; EDS; EMC; iOCORE; Keops Isis; KPMG; Olap Solutions; Opal Systems; Sun Microsystems; Unihold; and Xcel.
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CCH Enterprise Solutions
Established 15 years ago, CCH is an e-Business systems integrator providing full service insourced and outsourced business solutions, comprising technology and professional services.
The group`s focus is primarily on the financial services, telecommunications and public sectors.
As a Preferred Certified Partner for data warehousing, CCH`s Enterprise Solutions has the depth of expertise in the domains of e-business and customer relationship management (CRM). Oracle`s data warehousing offerings provide key input into both business areas, as well as other aspects of CCH`s business.
The relationship formed between Oracle and CCH is part of the group`s commitment to data warehousing as a core business endeavour.
Dimension Data I-Commerce
Dimension Data Holdings i-Commerce, a LSE-listed DiData subsidiary, is focused on assisting customer organisations` evolve their traditional businesses into interactive enterprises by providing the application highways for the deployment of interactive commerce.
i-Commerce takes e-commerce initiatives beyond the Internet channels of e-mail and Web, to embrace the wireless interaction devices of tomorrow. Through the i-Commerce division, Dimension Data also provides relevant consulting services and software solutions to enable "new-economy" enterprises that operate in the digital domain to achieve their strategic e-commerce objectives.
The emphasis is on assisting organisations to achieve multiple, integrated channels for customer and supplier interaction.
Fundamentally, i-Commerce aims to implement solutions that rapidly improve time to market.
ERP.COM
ERP.COM is a full service ERP (enterprise resource management) consulting firm, providing solutions and support offerings that enable all areas of businesses to operate with maximum efficiency and reliability. Providing a single point of contact for companies using ERP applications to manage their business, the company is committed to keeping up-to- date with changes in applications and solutions needed to enhance customers` ERP software.
ERP.COM is also committed to developing solutions that allow companies to better leverage ERP system investments. Whether it`s third party integration tools, or ERP software selection, ERP.COM helps companies maximise their ERP software assets.
Hewlett-Packard South Africa
HP South Africa is a wholly owned South Africa subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard Company and is the representative of HP enterprise solutions in South Africa.
It is also a representative of several complementary, industry-leading hardware and software solutions. The company originally commenced operations in South Africa in 1968 as HP South Africa. In July 1989, HP sold its complete sales and support operation to Siltek Limited, a subsidiary of Anglovaal Corporation. Hewlett-Packard returned to South Africa in 1997 and currently employs 270 people with branches In Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Durban, Richards Bay, Pretoria, Uppington and Witbank. We also have international distributors in Gaborone and Windhoek.
IOCORE
iOCORE is one of the world`s fastest growing IT companies and is strategically positioned to entrench its strong position in Africa over the first decade of the new millennium.
Established in South Africa in 1995 under the Intec name, iOCORE`s original focus was on IT project delivery, using advanced development tools. In the space of five years, iOCORE has diversified and grown to the point where it now has offices in 14 countries and employs in excess of 1000 professional staff. Its market penetration spans Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Americas.
The company`s projected revenue for the 2000 financial year is in excess of US$100 million, a more than 50% increase over its last financial year, with foreign earnings accounting for 70% of its operating income.
KPMG Consulting
KPMG Consulting is a management consultancy that focuses on the delivery of industry-focused solutions in the new economy by integrating strategy, performance improvement and the implementation of the latest technologies.
As an Oracle partner KPMG aims to embrace IT and traditional management consulting to provide completely integrated end-to-end solutions.
KPMG IT Consulting`s range of advisory services focus on business-led initiatives to ensure the successful identification of strategic IT requirements, definition of the client`s detailed requirements and selection and implementation of the most appropriate IT solutions to meet the clients business requirements.
As an integral part of this service, KPMG assists clients to identify pitfalls and successfully manage their IT initiatives through formal application of IT project management work methods.
Makana Technologies & Solutions
Makana Technologies & Solutions is an IT company offering training, services and solutions in business intelligence systems (BI Systems) and data warehousing.
Makana also offers Web services, applications and WAP solutions (Wireless Application Protocol) through its strategic and quality partnerships.
Makana is a dynamic company rich in intellectual capital and IT experience. The company`s impressive track record covers applications and experience in Finance, Corporate and Government Sectors.
Makana executives also serve on various IT councils and bodies including advisory committees for the South African Government.
Makana`s background of rich and diverse cultures, pioneering spirit and commitment to the African Renaissance (widely attributed to President Mbeki) is firmly entrenched in the company`s vision and beliefs.
Unihold Database Solutions (UDBS)
Unihold Database Solutions (UDBS) is the Unihold subsidiary which specialises in database sales, services and support for Oracle Relational Database Management Systems.
UDBS` specialisation is the provision of practical alternatives to in-house database management, administration and consulting services. The company is an Oracle Premier Partner and has attained formal Oracle certification enabling it to provide an end-to-end solution for a wide range of organisations.
These currently span some of SA`s leading financial and medical aid operations to medium-sized companies across the industrial spectrum.
UDBS is currently exploring market needs in the Dot.Com arena. It is also looking at how best to leverage its skills strengths to support the e-business movement.
UDBS is planning to market other Oracle-based solutions such as Human Resource packages in the near future.