Some regard the technology solution as a Pandora`s Box of sorts: one never truly knows what to expect when this is implemented or integrated. The ICT industry remains under pressure and players, especially young businesses or late starters, risk adding their names to a long list of has-beens or `never-were`s. So what happened to all those solutions being banded about the market? What have they helped to solve?
National network integration and ICT infrastructure specialist Integr8 IT continues to rally behind clients who pursue the real value in solutions. But, instead of promising a fleeting romance with robust technology, the company is meticulous in its evaluation of the business environment and only when it understands the client`s business needs, unique features and operations, will they evaluate, select and implement technology accordingly.
"Businesses hear the word `solution`, acquire and implement it, only to be disappointed with the results. The solution is not the product on its own - it can never be the technology alone. Our strategy is to consider the entire organisation, its people and processes, and decide on what kind of technology will best suit its operation," explains Lance Fanaroff, director at Integr8 IT.
The company, with a national footprint throughout Southern Africa, is just three years old. In that short space of time, it has successfully entered into service level agreements and established long-term relationships with a number of international vendors including Microsoft, Intel, 3Com, Computer Associates (CA), Citrix and MTN Network Solutions.
Through these partnerships, Integr8 IT is able to provide its own client base with its skills and capability.
"It is a fact that customers look to proven experience and knowledge as primary criteria for joint projects and infrastructure implementation. We have been proactive in our quest to achieve the highest accreditation with these vendors. This is imperative to our survival because we have to prove we have the capability to understand complex environments, to accurately asses the situation and advise on technology and solutions. This is our recipe and we believe it is what works," says Fanaroff.
The company has maintained its course in terms of skills retention and service standard. The focus for management remains for the company to be consistently viewed as the IT arm of the organisation: support for networks and all that a client holds dear as far as IT investment is concerned.
"Business requirements have to be carefully considered. It is of no use whatsoever for a company to invest in IT infrastructure and hope that it will instantaneously erase any issues, challenges or problems. A solution has to be aligned with the business needs - what is mission-critical, what systems have to be running and what connectivity options exist, what pro`s and con`s are there, and have all the risks been identified. Some may argue that it is unusual for a young company to have the restraint and insight to insist on strategic alignment of all resources prior to active participation in a project. We do not view this as merely necessary - this is vital and non-negotiable," adds Fanaroff.
This tenacious attitude to service, solution and delivery has helped the company not only survive where others continue to fall, but also establish a recognised identity within an ultra-competitive market.
"The network is the heart of the ICT infrastructure and should be central to any ICT investment strategy. The reality today is that most businesses, in what ever vertical market, have to communicate in real-time. They have to reach their market in more dynamic, more effective means and this requires robust technology."
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Integr8 IT (Pty) Ltd is a wholly owned network technology services and solutions company in Southern Africa. Based in South Africa, the company employs a wealth of highly skilled and certified system engineers who are directly involved in high level consulting, support and integration.
With offices located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and representation in Port Elizabeth, Durban and East London, Integr8 IT spans nationally across the Southern Africa region. It has the people and expertise to plan, deploy, manage and maintain an information technology environment.
Whether a client seeks better control of its networked environment or is in need of practical solutions, complex or simple, Integr8 IT provides the answers with Enhanced Information Technology Services.
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