Microsoft offered its global partners food for thought as the call for more strategic positioning, early adoption and adherence to emerging technology trends was sounded at the Global Partner Convention held recently in Minneapolis, USA.
Local network integration and infrastructure management specialist Integr8 IT recently took advantage of the opportunity to engage with internationally recognised technology vendors. The South African company is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner in two key competencies, namely Advanced Infrastructure Integration and Enterprise Networking, and is looking to acquire accreditation in an additional two focus areas of business.
Robert Sussman, joint-MD of Integr8 IT, attended the event and was complimented by Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer for Integr8 IT`s exceptional organic growth and success within the managed services arena.
Sussman noted Gartner`s prediction that 40% of the companies at the convention would be out of business within five years, if they failed to reinvent themselves, as well as the forecast that by 2010 more than 40% of IT services that are currently delivered by humans will be delivered, in part or whole, by software.
"This prediction is a major wake-up call for all businesses. We cannot afford to take opportunities for granted and we must always keep in mind the changing dynamics of international information and communication technology and the subsequent changing requirements of customers," says Sussman. "We relish the opportunity to interact with partners such as Intrasight because it broadens our perspective as far as the industry as a whole is concerned and increases our knowledge of current and emerging trends within technology and strategies around application and integration."
Zulfiq Isaacs, MD of LiquidThought, described the conference as "a fantastic platform for Microsoft-centric technology providers to expose themselves and their business to a global audience and engage in structured networking with other international partners".
"This is significant for local partners because they gain first hand exposure to emerging hot trends and, as a result, are in a far better position to prepare accordingly. The right positioning and early adoption can secure greater advantage and more support from Microsoft directly for competitive wins," says Isaacs. "As a result of the conference, we have concluded two significant partnerships with US-based companies focused on the information worker and mobile competency. These partnerships have been established to distribute product, deliver offshore services to the US market and extend our footprint globally."
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Integr8 IT (Pty) Ltd is a network technology services and solutions company. A recognised leader in the field of system integration, infrastructure management and support services, the company employs a wealth of highly skilled, best of breed, certified system engineers who are directly involved in high level consulting, support and integration.
The company`s core focus is on network infrastructures specialising in design, planning, deployment, management and maintenance. Offices are located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and representation in Port Elizabeth, East London, and nationally across the southern Africa region.
Integr8 IT is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner for Enterprise Systems and Advanced Infrastructure Solutions. It has been accredited as the Mid-Market Infrastructure Integrator of the Year for the last two consecutive years. Named as one of the country`s top ICTe companies and honoured with a position among South Africa`s Technology Top 100 Companies, Integr8 IT has established itself as a strategic partner with several internationally-recognised technology vendors and industry leaders, including 3Com, CA, Citrix, Intel, Microsoft, MTN Network Solutions and Attix 5.
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