Experienced IOT strategist joins IoT.nxt

Shane Cooper, Chief of Operations, IoT.nxt

---

As its global expansion accelerates, innovator in IOT technology, IoT.nxt, appointed experienced strategist Shane Cooper as Chief of Operations this month. Cooper joins IoT.nxt from the Vodacom Group, where he served as Managing Executive of Strategy.

“Shane has a deep understanding of the possibilities of IOT technology and strategy for enterprise and his insight and vision will help us drive our entry into new markets and territories. He has had a close relationship with the IoT.nxt team and was central to discussions that led to Vodacom’s acquisition of a majority stake in IoT.nxt earlier this year,” says IoT.nxt CEO Nico Steyn.

According to Cooper, who first encountered IoT.nxt shortly after the company was founded in early 2016, it was IoT.nxt’s focus on innovative edge technology that attracted his attention. “This set the company apart from what many others in the fast-growing IOT industry were developing at the time. It was revolutionary, as everyone else was talking about the cloud,” Cooper says.

“IoT.nxt has great potential to expand its operations and become a leading global IOT company, proven by Vodacom and Vodafone’s interest. Beyond that, IoT.nxt has also registered the attention of the likes of consulting giant Gartner and leading tech companies like Dell, Microsoft, Fujitsu and ADTRAN.

“This is further validation that we are heading in the right direction, but also brings with it the pressure to constantly remain ahead of technological developments. And thanks to the Vodacom shareholding, we now have the funding and support to accelerate the building of a global company,” notes Cooper.

As Chief of Operations, Cooper will drive the company’s global expansion by being alert of and mitigating growing pains that start-ups typically encounter in the journey to become truly international organisations.

At Vodacom, Cooper was responsible for strategy for the group, which included all operations across the group in all territories in which it operates. His key focus was to devise strategy that positions the company for the future, as the core telecommunications offerings matured, and new opportunities and expanded services were prioritised. The digitalisation of business and guiding enterprises on that journey was a critical focus.

Cooper holds a MBA from Heriot-Watt University, a BCom Accounting from the University of Port Elizabeth and completed a BCom honour's (Accounting) degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.