Auction Alliance completes successful ICT migration to the Integr8 Group

Issued by MicroZone Public Relations for Integr8
Johannesburg, 14 May 2010

The Integr8 Group has successfully migrated all Auction Alliance users and ICT to a fully outsourced solution, which places Auction Alliance at the forefront of global auctioneering.

Previously, Auction Alliance employed a number of full-time IT personnel as well as a host of ICT consultants.

The company was looking to engage with a single ICT partner, which could deliver nationally, but also to the exacting standards of international auctioneers, and specifically a partner who matched Auction Alliance's strong entrepreneurial spirit.

After an extensive open RFP process, with responses from both the public and private sector, the Integr8 Group clearly stood out.

Once the tender was awarded, Integr8 immediately mobilised their Transition Team - a team of professionals that focus on the seamless migration for companies moving their people, technology and processes to Integr8.

The migration was completed in just eight weeks.

Integr8 connected Auction Alliance digitally to its Nerve Centre, enabling a 24/7 call centre with technical telephonic support, same contact, remote on-demand support, third-Tier escalations, remote monitoring of core technologies and delivery of private and public cloud hosted services.

A team of full-time technical staff were also placed on-site to take up various senior and mid-tier support roles.

Rael Levitt, CEO of Auction Alliance, comments: “It is incredible how Integr8 have been able to deliver a world-class service, more effectively and cost efficiently by using innovative technology. Apart from this, they have mapped out a technology roadmap for us, which is perfectly aligned to our future business strategy.”

Rob Sussman, joint-CEO of the Integr8 Group, comments: “Managing Auction Alliance's ICT environment is only one aspect of the game. A combination of our on-site personnel and Nerve Centre will simply deliver on all expectations in this regard. Integr8 Consulting Services (ICS), our national team of technology experts, is going to unlock further innovation for Auction Alliance through the application of leading global technologies. I believe this is where the client will see real benefit!”

Integr8 is not resting on its laurels. One of the firsts Sussman mentioned is set to be delivered within the next four weeks. The deployment of technology enabled “hubs” giving auction bidders a host of features, including: connection for remote bidders via Skype; transfer of funds using secure VPN tunnels; connection to all major banks; video access for all interested bidders, no matter what their location; as well as connection for all attendees to the company's social networking portals.

Integr8 will also enable anyone in the world to connect live to the auction floor via a secure portal, allowing full visibility of all bidders, whether remote or at the location.

“We will use technology to bring the auction experience to remote, global bidders and people that are just curious, providing a global stage. This will be a live version of Ebay and a world first,” concludes Sussman.

The Integr8 Group

The Integr8 Group is an established and dynamic provider of managed information, communication and telecommunication services.

The group houses the following companies:

Integr8 IT - Focusing on the design, implementation and ongoing management of ICT infrastructure. The core focus is on the provision of Managed Services around ICT infrastructure.

Integr8 Rental - Focusing on ICT and all asset related finance for Southern Africa and Africa based corporations.

Integr8 Fax - Focusing on the provision of electronic fax transmission via its Global fax platform and footprint, with servers located on every continent.

Integr8 Telecoms -Focusing on the provision of telecommunication and voice switching services in the emerging markets of Africa, India and China.

Integr8 Property - Focusing on long term strategic investments into prime ICT intelligent real estate

With over 400 full-time, highly skilled professionals and substantial market share, the company is the largest privately owned BEE ICT company on the African continent.

Integr8 IT is the innovator, founder and operator of the only South African based Nerve Centre (www.nervecentre.co.za), providing a digital hub to manage and regulate the ICT environment of many of the country's leading corporations.

The Integr8 Group - in its application of skills and transfer of value in each company - has been acknowledged and accredited with many awards, namely Microsoft Gold Partner of the Year, African ICT Achievers CIO of the Year for Africa, Best Customer Experience of the Year, Network Infrastructure Solution of the Year, Security Solution of the Year for Middle-East, Africa, & Eastern Europe, Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, and many others, every year, since inception.

Named as one of the country's Top ICT Companies, The most innovative company on the African continent and honoured with a position among South Africa's Technology Top 100 Companies, the Integr8 Group, through its associated companies and organised network, has established itself as a strategic partner with numerous internationally-recognised industry leaders.

Editorial contacts