Petrochemical giant Sasol has awarded its ICT outsourcing contract, after spending two years in deliberation.
The deal, worth more than R500 million, has been split among three companies - T-Systems, BT Global Services and Business Connexion (BCX) - with BCX retaining the lion's share of the contract.
Sasol did not quantify how much of the contract had been awarded to each service provider, but BCX says it has kept 70% of the deal, after being Sasol's outsourcing partner for over a decade.
BCX CEO Benjamin Mophatlane says the company will continue to provide strategic services, such as Sasol's data centre, storage and networking requirements. He explains that the Sasol deal was built up over a decade, starting with a networking contract, and being added to over time.
The addition of new service providers and provision of the services transitioning is expected to be complete during the first half of 2010.
New approach
Jacqui O'Sullivan, Sasol group communication manager, says Sasol's IT department - Sasol Information Management (IM) - undertook a review of its strategy at the same time as the BCX contract was due to expire.
As a result, Sasol offered potential service providers the opportunity to propose IM service solutions, which are managed through its procurement processes, she explains.
The company decided to pursue a multi-sourcing approach to provide ICT services to its global user base. Sasol's aim was to have both the global reach and depth of service capability it required to support its cost saving focus, while providing capacity for its growth targets.
CIO Johan la Grange says: “The suppliers were selected for their specialised expertise and execution capabilities, and we believe that they will significantly enhance our ability to provide the business with leading-edge ICT solutions.
“The potential savings and improvements offered in the ICT space become particularly relevant in the current economic climate,” he notes.
Riaan Rademan, group GM for Sasol Group Services, adds: “Sasol Information Management has entered a progressive phase in its service delivery to the Sasol Group and I am confident we will realise the benefits of this more focused strategy in the near future.”
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