Altron, Huawei in IOT partnership

Issued by Altron
Shenzhen, China, 18 Oct 2018

JSE-listed technology company Altron and Huawei Technologies, the largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer in the world, have announced a global partnership in an Internet of things (IOT) ecosystem that will see the two companies combine their expertise to deliver tangible and real IOT solutions for businesses in South Africa and the rest of Africa.

Commenting on the partnership, Altron Group Chief Executive Mteto Nyati said: "We need to develop more IOT solutions that are relevant to the African market. We need smart electricity and water meters in our homes that automatically transmit consumption data to municipalities, enabling them to bill customers without a physical inspection. Beverage companies can benefit from using fridges that provide data about location, repair and service requirements. We want to see smart waste bins that monitor waste levels, which leads to better waste management and streamlined pickup schedules. Our partnership with Huawei will enable us to offer these solutions in our market."

Huawei South Africa's Chief Executive Fan Wen said: "Our more than 80 000 research and development engineers will work with Altron technical experts in designing market-leading smart solutions that harness IOT and are not vulnerable to cyber fraud. Together, we will make IOT deliver business value to our joint customers."

The partnership will see Altron's technicians and engineers being upskilled through Huawei Technologies' Johannesburg Open Lab facility, which offers an environment that promotes creative thinking and innovation where the combined teams of technicians and engineers will jointly design solutions together.

Allied Electronics Corporation

South African listed Allied Electronics Corporation (Altron) is invested in telecommunications and IT, offering ICT services in the areas of cyber security, software security solutions, business process outsourcing, skills development, secure transactional solutions, systems integration, cloud computing, managed services, IT infrastructure, electronic component distribution, fleet management, telematics, data analytics, converged and broadband communication services and networks, and the resale of Microsoft software.

The group's primary focus is in providing innovative solutions in the fintech, health tech, safety and security, and learning and development verticals that have a meaningful impact on society by addressing challenges facing communities in South Africa, the continent and beyond, while delivering shared value for all its stakeholders.

Founded in 1965, Altron has a direct presence in South Africa, the rest of Africa, the UK and Australia through its various businesses. In addition, the group's strategic partnerships with leading international technology companies gives it access to leading technology capabilities and products from across the world, including Asia, Europe and North America. The majority of the group's revenue and headcount are derived from the local market in South Africa, where the group is headquartered. The Altron group employs more than 8 000 employees globally.

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