Maseco Bytes IT Solutions (Maseco Bytes) formed in April 2002 by the merging of Maseco Systems Integrators and Bytes Technology Networks` (BTN) (a Bytes Technology Group company) Cape operations. Maseco Systems Integrators has a majority shareholding of 66.67% and Bytes Technology Group the remaining 33.33%.
"The merger has proved seamless thanks to a powerful synergy between the two companies and has had little impact on day-to-day operations. We started operating as one company virtually from the beginning," says Maseco Bytes managing director, Nomvula Ndzengu. "Before the merger, we personally explained the move to our respective clients and the positive response has been extremely encouraging."
Says executive director Motsami Nduna: "Maseco System Integrators was an entrepreneurial company that had reached a cross-roads in its development. We had the option to either partner with an established company and gain the benefits of a more corporate approach to business or we could restructure the company internally. We opted for the partnering route which satisfied a number of criteria, allowing us access to different markets, benefit from an organisation with established practices and lend the organisation financial stability.
"BTN was a perfect match for Maseco," continues Nduna. "The two companies complement each other having come from different sectors. We are now in a better position to deliver an enhanced service to a broadened client base."
Angus Fisher, executive director of Maseco Bytes, advises: "The merger enables Maseco and BTN to attain critical mass in an empowerment vehicle which boasts considerable service delivery capabilities. The two organisations have operated for five years in the IT market in the Cape region. With complementary business in government and corporate sectors, significant economies of scale and growth opportunities are anticipated."
Maseco Bytes IT Solutions has emerged as an organisation that offers a range of corporate services from the design and implementation of complex enterprise architecture solutions to a comprehensive portfolio of service management solutions. These support offerings encompass outsourcing, managed resources, desk and service management consulting, that can assist in meeting the support demands of businesses and allow Maseco Bytes to act as a reliable extension of an organisation`s in-house IT department. The company has linked its networks and integrated its systems to create an IT supply and distribution infrastructure that is capable of providing a high standard of technical backup service and management support to its customers.
The company has six main business units which offer a total IT solution to is customer base, namely managed services, technology solutions and networks, enterprise resource planning, Microsoft solutions, enterprise systems and storage, and learning solutions.
The managed services unit offers a variety of flexible service level agreement options that are tailor-made to suit the customers` requirements. The agreements assure customers of immediate availability of parts and labour and guaranteed response times. The unit offers full on-site hardware maintenance, time and material support, standby service, software support, desktop management, inventory and asset management, help desk facilities, business continuity planning and the supply of project based, specialised IT support skills.
Furthermore, as a successful Microsoft large account reseller, the role of the Microsoft solutions business unit is consultancy-based. The unit has the resources, experience, knowledge, understanding and partnerships to deliver software-licensing solutions to all type of organisations across a range of software products. It offers a single source of software, lower purchase costs, quicker and more effective procurement processes, assistance with compliancy and a consultancy service.
The enterprise resource planning and software development unit offers a wealth of opportunities for companies to assist in increasing productivity by merging many different systems into one large integrated system. The business unit offers SAP implementation and design, additionally ERP planning and change management, Web site design and development, database design and development and mainframe application systems development and maintenance.
An important focus area of the technology solutions and networks business unit is the understanding of the customer`s business requirements, in order to design and implement solutions that enhance the capabilities of the existing network infrastructures. The unit is responsible for the design and implementation of complex local and wide area networking solutions and focuses on voice and data integration, mobility, network security, quality of service, IP telephony, remote access and network management.
The learning solutions unit enables Maseco Bytes to streamline the implementation of new technology, reduce the burden and costs associated with booking IT-related, public-scheduled courses and to bridge the gap between the IT department and a customer`s business. The company has created a learning solution that offers internet and intranet based tutoring; access to a library of up to 1 500 training modules online; the ability to plan and track employees` training programmes; to offer full training programmes for vendors such as Microsoft, Cisco and SAP; the ability to submit accurate and substantial skills levy claims reports to SETA in line with its requirements and the NQF (National Qualifications Framework) and the development of tutoring systems for custom-developed applications.
Finally, the enterprise systems and storage solutions unit focuses on the design and implementation of complex, business critical, storage and server environments. Focus areas include high availability, "always on" server solutions, datacentre and ERP infrastructure solutions, clustering solutions, mid-range server solutions utilising IA64 architecture, enterprise management solutions and scalable storage solutions.
Maseco Bytes` employee complement comprises 81% previously disadvantaged individuals of which 38% are female employees and the company is committed to equitable, non-discriminatory employment practices.
"Our human development strategy is characterised by a continuous investment in the production of skilled people," says Fisher. "The educational and technological advancement of our employees remains a high priority on our black economic empowerment agenda."
Maseco Bytes has invested heavily in a social responsibility programme that reflects its commitment to the communities from which it chooses suitable candidates to train and develop to acquire internationally recognised qualifications.
"Our company facilitates donations of computer equipment, networking accessories and software to schools and other social organisations and then takes responsibility for the installation and maintenance. The programme operates on a 'train the trainer` basis, where teachers are given computer literacy training to enable them to train others," says Nduna.
"We are now a nationally represented organisation with an expected annual turnover of R100 million. Maseco Bytes is a company driven by shareholders and a dynamic management team that utilises a hands-on approach to conducting its business. In a nutshell, we are a skills-based organisation that supplies infrastructure, with the correct profile," concludes Fisher.
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