Spescom DataVoice, the Spescom subsidiary responsible for world-class voice recording (VR) solutions, has successfully deployed a state-of-the-art system as part of a project in a contract worth R25 million for SCMB (Standard Corporate and Merchant Bank).
Following more than a year of planning, the network commenced operation from early May 2002.
The internationally linked network for Standard Bank provides a multimedia-equipped trading system more advanced than any presently in use and DataVoice provided the key VR technology to support the bank's complex financial trading services.
Siemens South Africa will implement a live-trading system for SCMB dealers in branches across the country over a period of approximately three months. This large-scale contract involved the most sophisticated technology, including video conferencing and video feeds to desktops on the network. The Siemens HiPath communication system, which was implemented, is a next-generation PC-based trading solution, incorporating video conferencing and video distribution.
SCMB selected Spescom DataVoice to provide the essential voice recording systems because this solution offered the best technology and cost-effectiveness.
This complex project has been carefully planned over a lengthy period. The initial studies were conducted in early 2001 with Spescom DataVoice being appointed in April 2002. The first elements of the network went live a month later.
Andrew Condon, Spescom DataVoice commercial manager, points out some key factors that resulted in winning the contract.
"Spescom has global experience in advanced VR," he says. "With a world-first voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) implementation already achieved in mid-2000, the company has established its abilities in this area.
"Highly specialised solutions - such as those required by major international financial services companies - must achieve exacting levels of security, flexibility and reliable operation. Fortunately, the DataVoice solution meets these needs while remaining within an affordable budget."
Any project of this size includes a large amount of work to provide proof of concept before it is rolled out in the field. This is even more the case when dealing with the critical financial transactions of a major international bank.
"We were fully able to meet the customer's requirements," says Condon. "Our initial presentations were well received and an extensive amount of tests and product trials were conducted.
"These efforts were well rewarded with a smooth implementation that was up and running right on schedule."
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Spescom Limited is an information and communications technology (ICT) company listed on the JSE Securities Exchange SA, with operations in the US, UK and SA.
The group is active in two main areas of the world IT market, namely offering product and solutions to connect to the networked economy, and the provision of software solutions to manage information and knowledge.
The strategic focus is on the convergence of knowledge, document, configuration and voice transaction management technologies.
Spescom DataVoice is a subsidiary of Spescom Limited and is dedicated to the development and global marketing of its DataVoice products in the area of capture, management, and recreation of live data.
Spescom holds the controlling interest in US-based Spescom Software Inc (formerly Altris Software Inc), a Nasdaq-, OTCBB-listed company, and developer of the award-winning eB software.
In SA, Spescom, in alliance with world-leading companies such as Cisco and Avaya, provides a range of customer contact and intelligent network solutions to its blue-chip customer base.
The company is a leading supplier of communications solutions and products to network operators and service providers on the African continent.
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