The proprietary brand IT software solutions developed by financial services provider Real People, in association with its principal technology partner Microsoft, is a concrete example of how business partnering in the IT space can be a win-win for all the parties concerned.
Now the subject of two Microsoft case studies, the Real People experience demonstrates how, with the use of Microsoft's enabling technologies, companies in the financial services sector can reshape their businesses and build scaleable enterprise solutions.
Real People's success is largely due to it developing world-class Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and advanced support systems. This focus provided it with a leading edge in its core business area of collecting installments. It also placed the company in a position to compete favorably in a highly competitive and challenging market sector.
Established in 2000, Real People is today recognised as one of South Africa's Top 300 Companies. It is the largest non-banking, privately-owned provider of financial products and services to its target market, and is one of the country's foremost debt collection management companies.
Says Real People's chief technology officer, Bevan Knott: "Information and Communication Technology systems are at the core of Real People's stability. The development of a leading-edge software solution has enabled the company to conduct business effectively and efficiently but with the necessary flexibility to meet the demands of a challenging business environment. Real People has managed to achieve the holy grail of financial services systems in that the system is customer centric and manages all support services and diverse products on a single platform."
Over the years, Real People has built a number of important IT business partnerships - all of which have helped the company reach the pinnacles of success that it has. Real People's enterprise portal is the gateway to the technology functionality of its business. It comprises of a web based application portal, and integrated workflow and document management system - powered by the Tilos technology suite, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.
The company's debtor management solution, Evolution, is deployed in the Tilos portal. This debtors system was developed in-house, using the recognised CreditEase Debtors System from K'e Concepts, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, as its nucleus.
It is this system that enables Real people to be a leader in collection efficiency, and as such Real People is recognised as a major player in the collections industry. The strategic technology partnership with K'e Concepts provides for a powerful and stable transaction processing and CRM platform.
Built on the Microsoft.NET framework, the solution makes extensive use of web services, XML and other modern solutions, standards and development methodologies. Says Knott: "Real People prides itself in its level of in-house technical skills. Our highly skilled team develops and maintains all the interfaces and specialist functionalities of the business units. Extensive training programmes ensure that the team stays up to date with Microsoft's cutting edge technologies. All software development, based on Microsoft's latest technology, is in line with international technology trends and adheres to international standards. "
Together with its infrastructure partner, Business Connexion, (formerly Comparex), Real People operates an advanced technology infrastructure. This includes a high speed fibre optic switched network which is voice over internet protocol (VoIP) capable - managed through Cisco routers and switches. A Nortel Meridian PABX, together with an Orion voice recorder from Spescom DataFusion, provides an integrated telephony solution.
The storage solution utilises the world renowned EMC2 storage area network (SAN) and network accessible storage (NAS) technology, connected by fibre optic switches to powerful HP servers.
Says Knott: "The company has set new standards in this demanding and complex industry. A unique approach to technology with its innovative solutions has equipped management with quality, real-time information to adapt quickly to changing market conditions, enabling Real People to outperform its competitors and challenge the large established financial institutions in South Africa."
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