Businesses within the growing small-to-medium space are under pressure to adapt general modus operandi and business models to suit new conditions in the IT market. So claims Robert Sussman, joint MD at Integr8 IT, South Africa's largest privately owned national BEE ICT network integration and infrastructure management specialist.
In his delivery of a presentation at the launch of Phakisa, a SME Development Programme initiated by the Information Technology Association (ITA), Sussman pointed out the need for businesses - most notably those in the small to medium bracket - to understand the process of change in IT management structures.
"The ICT sector is moving towards a more streamlined and more structured approach to service delivery. There is a general shift towards a multi-sourced environment and there is new opportunity to be gained by service providers who understand the dynamics represented in this growth. The conventional supply and demand outsource relationship can no longer meet current and expected market requirements," said Sussman.
Integr8 IT has developed a mentorship program that is aimed at assisting operations in the small-to-medium bracket to develop and implement a strategic approach to ICT investment and use.
"Our role is to enhance this market through information share and by offering proven expertise that is aimed at lowering the cost of ownership for businesses who are embarking on their journey into IT investment and operation," says Sussman.
Phakisa also served as a platform for the introduction of key communication technology influences identified by Integr8 IT. These included Web 2.0 or second generation of web-based communities and hosted services, such as social networking sites, that facilitate online information share and collaboration between users.
"Businesses must know that they are operating under vastly different conditions than was the case a year or two ago. The advent of Internet and Web 2.0 is directly affecting the way business is conducted and managed. Now there has to be a level of interaction between all role players in an organisation in terms of technology. The traditional approach of a stand-alone IT administrator versus the rest of the business simply cannot work anymore," added Sussman.
Sussman also referred to local bandwidth supply and routing, suggesting that local businesses should be proactive in their dealing with service providers to ensure reliable connectivity in order to bolster levels of competitiveness and profit.
"There are a few questions to be answered in terms of how best to utilise the Internet as a critical business tool. Key considerations include security, cost, the hosted e-mail option and storage of data - all of which will help to determine connectivity and usage policy and strategy," he said.
Sussman did not pull any punches at the podium. The thirty-something IT executive had something to say about regulation and the existence of what he calls "wide-reaching, stringent" legislation.
"Distinct trends have emerged in worldwide legislation relating to electronic communication and the storage thereof. Corporate scandals, identity theft and the upsurge of electronic communication in business activity have led to the introduction of these laws. Businesses need to be proactive in compliance and not fall into the trap of distraction over missed opportunity to comply and balancing this necessity against core competency."
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Integr8 IT is South Africa's largest privately owned national BEE ICT network integration and infrastructure management specialist.
A renowned leader in the field of system integration, infrastructure management and support services, the company employs over 350 full-time highly skilled professionals.
Integr8 IT is the innovator, founder and operator of the only South African based Nerve CentreTM (www.nervecentre.co.za), providing a digital hub to manage and regulate many of the country's leading corporations.
The company's core focus is on network infrastructures specialising in design, planning, deployment, management and maintenance. Integr8 IT has offices in South Africa, Botswana United States of America and the United Kingdom. The South African Offices are found in Gauteng, Cape Town, Durban and representation in Port Elizabeth, East London, and across the southern Africa region.
Integr8 IT is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner for Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, Network Infrastructure Solutions, Information Worker Solutions, and Security Solutions.
It has been acknowledged and accredited with many awards, namely Microsoft Gold Partner of the Year, African ICT Achievers CIO of the Year for Africa, Best Customer Experience of the Year, Network Infrastructure Solution of the Year, Security Solution of the Year for Middle-East, Africa, & Eastern Europe, Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, and many others, every year, since its inception.
Named as one of the country's Top ICT Companies and honoured with a position among South Africa's Technology Top 100 Companies, Integr8 IT has established itself as a strategic partner with numerous internationally-recognised technology vendors and industry leaders.
Integr8 IT has been nominated as the Most Innovative Company in Africa and Microsoft Network Infrastructure Solutions of the Year
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