Teljoy Cellular Services, South Africa`s largest independent cellular service provider, is to invest over R30 million over five years in a new subscriber management system in line with its strategy to aggressively grow its subscriber base and position itself to offer customers an international level of service, says Johann Pieterse, CEO and managing director of Teljoy Holdings Limited.
The system, known as CABS2000, is the most focused subscriber management system in the telecommunications industry. Supplied by Sema Group Telecoms, the system is widely used in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
`We looked for a system that is in operation all over the world, as we wanted something that would be adaptable to developing markets, and all forms of payment and levels of credit risk. We also needed a system that is supported internationally,` says Pieterse. `With Sema we now share in the strategic planning and system development of a family of over 150 large international telecommunications providers.`
With the new system, to be implemented in August , Teljoy will be able to offer a number of new services to customers that would be unique to the South African market.
`Our cellular customers have become more sophisticated and educated over the last six years, and are demanding a higher level of customer service that is comparable with international standards,` says Pieterse.
Comments Jaime Guevara, southern African sales manager for SG Sema Group (Pty) Ltd: `The South African telecommunications market is among the most advanced in the world, with dynamic companies that are prepared to purchase and implement up-to-date technology. Operators continually plan and analyse new areas of customer service, and are early adopters of new trends such as convergence.
`Sema Group Telecom is ideally positioned to offer new trends to operators and has researched the needs of the South African market in a bid to improve its product features and offerings to this growing market. The South African market offers huge opportunity for innovation and capability with a big potential for growth.`
`We constantly strive to improve our business and to manage all of our customers` requirements. CABS 2000 will enable us to shorten the service chain which will empower our service staff to better assist our customers,` concludes Pieterse.
SEMA Group Telecoms
Sema Group Telecoms is an international strategic business unit of Sema Group, one of the world`s leading information technology companies in consulting, systems integration and outsourcing. Quoted on both the French and the London stock markets, the Group employs 16,500 IT specialists in over 130 locations world-wide. With more than 15 years of experience in the telecommunications field, Sema Group Telecoms integrates IT and telecoms systems to deliver a more competitive advantage. It serves more than 150 operators and 37 million subscribers world-wide. In 1997, Sema Group Telecoms` turnover increased by over 60%, making it the fastest growing sector of the Group.
Teljoy Cellular Services
Teljoy Cellular Services is a subsidiary of the JSE-listed Teljoy Holdings Limited, and was the first service provider affiliated to the Vodacom network. It currently has over 190 000 individual and small business contract subscribers, 120 000 prepaid customers, as well as a corporate subscriber base unequalled in the industry and is the preferred service provider for the corporate market, giving it the largest subscriber base.
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