The Electronic Commerce Division, which processed transactions worth over R4.3 billion in the past twelve months, will ramp up the business offering presently on offer by including connectivity, web hosting, design and full back office integration and in the process will become a first tier ISP.
This move is in response to a growing trend where PQ Africa`s corporate clients and partners are embarking on electronic commerce initiatives and require full technological support from the group. Their key issue is to manage the technology risk associated with the new electronic business channels. The new extended services within the Electronic Commerce Division will enable us to focus on providing the corporate market with the services they would expect from a group of our size.
In the past twelve months sales over the Internet and via cellular media has seen an overall growth in transactional value of 1175%. The number of Internet based transactions for the first quarter of 1999 increase by 97% over the last quarter in 1998, showing the acceleration of on-line commerce.
"Building on top of our successes by moving up the value chain is a big drive for us. Whilst other companies are beginning to invest in the technology, we are already experienced in the field - processing significant transactional value and adding services to facilitate the growing demands from corporates for a full service," says Willem van Rensburg, group executive of PQ Africa`s Electronic Commerce Division.
"Our biggest strength is in harnessing synergies within the division, and the group, in such a way that we are able to create a product offering that will maintain our leadership position," says van Rensburg.
"By working closely with other companies in the group, like PQ Business Consulting, the Electronic Commerce Division is ideally placed to assist businesses in implementing electronic commerce solutions that maximise the benefits of existing and new business channels," he says.
"Being a first tier ISP means that we are able to provide our clients reliable Internet bandwidth with the differentiating factor being Quality of Service (QoS). We will offer our corporate customers the infrastructure that will facilitate the effective deployment of electronic commerce," says van Rensburg.
"The service will include direct local bandwidth into the ISPA peering point as well as direct international bandwidth. This is absolutely in line with our drive to support our corporate customer base in their globalisation efforts.
"Our vision to broaden electronic commerce opportunities within South Africa led us to launch a Channel Partner Programme at the beginning of this year. PQ Africa`s Electronic Commerce Division will be focusing on providing the corporate market with Internet services and will continue to invest significant resources to offer channel partners the opportunity to leverage off PQ Africa`s expertise, complex technology and links into the banking network.
"The opportunities that we are embarking on, especially in the business-to-business world are very exciting. We are already operating in different vertical business markets such as the healthcare, motor, leisure and travel industries. As a whole the division`s ability to develop and integrate a web-site, host the site, commerce enable it, with direct connection onto the South African banking network and offer digital certification all under one umbrella, positions PQ Africa`s Electronic Commerce Division for phenomenal growth," says van Rensburg.
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PQ Africa
Persetel Q Data Africa (Pty) Limited (PQ Africa) was formed as a result of the merger of the business activities of Persetel Holdings Limited and Q Data Limited.
Comparex Holdings Limited has a 50% minus one share interest in PQ Africa who represents Comparex`s Southern African and other African interests. The black empowerment group NITAC (the National IT Acquisition Consortium), led by Real Africa Holdings Limited, holds a controlling interest of 50% plus one share in PQ Africa.
PQ Africa is the leading provider of competitive, innovative and flexible business solutions based on Information and Communications Technology ("ICT").
These comprehensive solutions include systems integration, consulting, package implementation, software development, outsourcing, hardware, software, peripherals, voice, video and data communication systems, customer relationship management solutions, and networking equipment and services.
Internet solutions include the development and deployment of electronic commerce and electronic data interchange-based solutions and digital authentication.
Through direct representation of the world`s foremost product manufacturers and an extensive support organisation, PQ Africa provides the appropriate technology, skill, and expertise to meet clients business requirements.
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