"Africa is certainly a new market for technology such as unified networks and call centres. However, we are seeing definite signs of growth - a good sign for those companies in the industry which have built, or are in the process of building, partnerships in countries north of the Limpopo," says Karl Osswald, Africa partner manager, unified networks, for Grintek Telecom.
"Grintek's experience in the African market has been based on partnering, rather than establishing a direct presence. This enables us to share our partners' knowledge of their local markets while offering them access to our technology and expertise. We have already established successful partnerships in countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya (which also serves Uganda), Ghana, Nigeria, and Angola.
"What we can offer is not only leading-edge technology, system design, integration and support, but also financing in those areas where the capital to invest in new systems is in short supply. We believe that this differentiates us from our competitors by enabling end-users to implement high-end solutions they might not otherwise be able to afford.
"Besides call centres and unified networks, we are also looking at rolling out voice solutions such as PABX and IVR as well as promoting Nortel Networks data product range. Countries such as Nigeria are also looking at voice over IP (VOIP), due mainly to its VOIP-friendly legislation. In other areas this poses a problem due to strict regulation but the scenario is constantly changing."
Adds Osswald: "Grintek Telecom sees itself as more than simply a solution provider. We build in a great deal of value add in the form of support and services which help to cement long-term relationships not only with our African partners but also with public and parastatal organisations. The value of the African IT market is difficult, if not impossible, to quantify. Suffice to say that it is largely untapped and those technology companies that are first to make inroads into the continent will be the biggest players."
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