Unisys Africa has outlined its e-business strategy for the Durban and extended KwaZulu-Natal market. Drawing on the company`s entrenched strengths, it has as a central tenet the e-enablement of the area`s large base of manufacturing companies.
"Durban is one of SA`s manufacturing powerhouses," says local Unisys e-business consultant Jared Frost, "with this market sector contributing some 30% of the region`s revenue. Their e-enablement will help them become more competitive, reducing the overall cost of doing business, improving efficiencies and strengthening their supply chains."
While many industry pundits have condemned e-business to the scrap heap after the dot-com collapse, Frost points out that all indications are that business-to-business (B2B) e-business will triumph over the next four years, while B2C (business-to-consumer), which was by and large the aspect of e-business that was involved in the dot-com crash, will continue to languish. And it is solely in the domain of B2B that Unisys Durban will be focusing its efforts.
"Gartner, for instance, predicts growth of 12 500% in B2B by 2004," notes Frost, "of which 90% will be driven through supply chain integration, collaborative commerce, e-procurement and e-marketplaces."
In this regard, says Frost, Unisys will initially target large and medium-sized manufacturers with the Ariba e-procurement solution: Unisys is a global partner of Ariba. "We will deliver Ariba through an application service provision (ASP) model, as this makes financial sense for the Durban market."
Among Unisys`s traditional strengths are high-availability back-end systems, large project management and delivery, and a consistent track record in delivering against commitments; all of these are required to ensure e-business success.
Unisys`s engagement model for e-business will be consulting-led, rather than product-led. "E-business depends for its success on the liberation of a client`s mind in such a way as to stimulate the imagination, and paint a picture of a future enabled by the convergence of many technologies and business drivers," notes Frost. "Our approach will be characterised by an engagement with senior management, a focus on business rather than technology and adaptation to local market conditions, so as to identify opportunities in this convergent space."
Frost has assisted Unisys Durban to identify and deliver on a number of e-enablement projects for its existing corporate clients in the region, specifically in the financial services arena.
He is also looking to partnerships to enhance the company`s service offerings and to assist with delivery. This approach will embrace consultancies, complementary companies and even competitors, where these have solutions required by customers.
Share
Editorial contacts