Outlook Portfolio - Technology and Communications

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TECHNOLOGY AND C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

P O R T F O L I O LONESTAR

CELL MTN 50 A market-leading offering with room for expansion

ORACLE AFRICA 4 Playing a key role in Africa’s tech transformation

VODACOM LESOTHO 70 Diversifying its revenue stream by embracing technology change

AIMS DATA CENTRE SDN BHD 84

Placing customer demands in capable hands

P R O M O T I N G T H E V E R Y B E S T I N G L O B A L T E C H N O L O G Y A N D C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

THEY TOLD US THEIR STORY

A N D W E TO L D THE WORLD

FOR MORE than two years now, some of the most renowned names in global technology and communications have been telling us their story and, in turn, we have told the world.

The companies above represent just a small sample of the businesses to have benefitted from the free exposure we provide across both digital and print platforms, as well as a free, bespoke marketing brochure and an unparalleled forum for attracting new investment and networking opportunities.

W W W. O U T LO O K P U B L I S H I N G . C O M Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 650 Email: ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com

W E L C O M E Our Outlook on Global Technology and Communications

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EDITORIAL

TECHNOLOGY AND C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

Under the Outlook Publishing umbrella and spanning three of the most developed and innovative regions on the planet; Africa Outlook, Asia Outlook and Europe & Middle East Outlook strives each and every month to bring the very latest news, trends and success stories across the full array of industrial sectors.

Technology and communications have has long been instrumental and P O R T F O L I O fascinating topics of discussion as part of these continuously evolving publications, featuring heavily in both our front-of-book section as well as our core company profile showcase.

The latter facet is where we pride ourselves especially, leading to the inclusion of some of the world’s most prominent players in the technology domain, as documented in this portfolio.

In Africa, Vodacom and MTN have have provided critical insight into the most pressing industry trends engulfing continental communications, via their Lesotho and Liberia operations respectively. Meanwhile, global heavyweights, Oracle have benefited on numerous occasions from our digital and print offering in both the EME region and Africa. The significance of the technology sector in Asia has similarly been reflected through a plethora of feature profiles, including the success story of AIMS Data Centre Sdn Bhd, as seen within this assortment.

These examples, and this portfolio as a whole, provide just a small sample of the extensive coverage we have provided the technology and communications industries’ leading protagonists over the past two years, and with the Outlook Publishing name fast-spreading throughout the sectors’ consciousness via numerous media partnerships and event collaborations, there has never been a better time to join these industry heavyweights in enjoying the same unparalleled levels of exposure.

Reaching 165,000 monthly readers in Africa as well as a further 190,000 in Asia and 380,000 in the EME region, technology and communications have been two of the most prominent sectors throughout Outlook Publishing’s growth, so please do take a look at this brochure as proof of what Matthew Staff we can offer, so that we can, in turn, Editorial Director, Outlook Publishing continue to give back to the industries.

LONESTAR

CELL MTN 50 A market-leading offering with room for expansion

ORACLE AFRICA 4 Playing a key role in Africa’s tech transformation

VODACOM LESOTHO 70 Diversifying its revenue stream by embracing technology change

AIMS DATA CENTRE

SDN BHD 84 Placing customer demands in capable hands

P R O M O T I N G T H E V E R Y B E S T I N G L O B A L T E C H N O L O G Y A N D C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

Editorial Director: Matthew Staff matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com Deputy Editor: Emily Jarvis emily.jarvis@outlookpublishing.com

PRODUCTION Production Manager: Daniel George daniel.george@outlookpublishing.com Art Director: Stephen Giles steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com Advert Designer: Mandy Farnell mandy.farnell@outlookpublishing.com Images: Thinkstock by Getty Images

BUSINESS Sales Director: Nick Norris nick.norris@outlookpublishing.com Operations Director: James Mitchell james.mitchell@outlookpublishing.com Sales Managers: Eddie Clinton eddie.clinton@outlookpublishing.com Tom Cullum tom.cullum@outlookpublishing.com Heads of Projects: Arron Rampling arron.rampling@outlookpublishing.com Donovan Smith donovan.smith@outlookpublishing.com

ADMINISTRATION Finance Director: Suzanne Welsh suzanne.welsh@outlookpublishing.com Admin Assistant: Sophia Curran sophia.curran@outlookpublishing.com Office Manager: Katie Park katie.park@outlookpublishing.com Web Design: Hamit Saka IT: James Le-May

OUTLOOK PUBLISHING Managing Director: Ben Weaver ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com Chairman: Mark Weaver CONTACT Outlook Publishing Ltd Woburn House, 84 St Benedicts Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 4AB, United Kingdom Sales: +44 (0) 1603 959 652 Editorial: +44 (0) 1603 959 655 SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0)1603 959 655 Email: matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com

www.africaoutlookmag.com www.asiaoutlookmag.com www.emeoutlookmag.com Africa Outlook Asia Outlook EME Outlook Africa Outlook Asia Outlook EME Outlook

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Oracle Africa Enhances its

PRESENCE on the Continent The multinational technology corporation’s presence on the African continent has long been unparalleled within the industry, and the Company continues to innovate in 2015 Writer: Matthew Staff • Project Manager: Donovan Smith

racle Africa has offices in South Africa, Mauritius, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. In the past two years, Oracle Africa has taken even greater strides to enhance its already extensive partner network, embracing the acceleration of cloud adoption among customers, and becoming more active in its commitment to the communities where it does business in the region.

Flexible expansion

“Over the past two years we have doubled our workforce in the region,” says Oracle Vice President Technology AFTA Cluster Leader and VP A&C ECEMEA, Janusz Naklicki. Referring to Oracle Africa’s most recent expansion

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of office space into Kenya in the east, and Nigeria and Ghana in the west, Naklicki adds: “Our country leadership teams in Africa consist of local nationals and our primary offices in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa act as hubs for the West, East and South African markets.

“We have recently committed to new office space in Lagos and Nairobi to accommodate our growth in these locations.”

The drive to keep investing, and to keep expanding, is key as part of the wider Oracle Africa continuous improvement strategy, where “in today’s world, business agility is key,” comments Naklicki.

This flexibility is further supported by rapid growth of its Oracle PartnerNetwork.

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Helping partners thrive and build local businesses is an imperative.

Oracle partners are an extension to the Oracle Africa sales force, as they help Oracle Africa drive new innovations and products into local markets.

Naklicki adds: “We have been engaged in doing business in Africa for decades, and we know the importance of personal engagement with customers.

“We do this through our local partners; we empower them to

provide customers with highvalue products and services, build local relationships, and help their communities prosper.”

Cloud adoption

A more comprehensive partner network and ecosystem, coupled with a more concerted physical presence, helps Oracle Africa align itself with the very latest customer trends.

With cloud adoption rates accelerating in Africa, this ability

becomes even more prevalent, with not only Software as a Service (SaaS) becoming engrained in the sector’s consciousness, but the Platform as a Service (PaaS) space is also gaining traction.

“IT systems have to be fast and simple to be able to be agile,” Naklicki notes. “We believe organisations that run Oracle software, Oracle hardware, or the combination, either on-premises or in the cloud, immediately move to the forefront of innovation and cost-

We do this through our local partners; we empower them to provide customers with highvalue products and services, build local relationships, and help their communities prosper

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effectiveness.

“Our customers face many of the same challenges in Africa as our customers in the rest of the world,” Naklicki states. “Oracle technology is based on open-standards. If you want the power, performance, scalability and agility that computing needs to deliver today, then we recommend Oracle on Oracle.

“From the data centre to the cloud, Oracle Africa not only helps to eliminate the complexity that can

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stifle business innovation, but it also engineers in speed, reliability, security, and manageability.

Skills development

“Skills and ongoing workforce development are essential to create a stable, affordable and, most importantly, local workforce; local knowledge and experience combined with technology can help give rise to new innovations,” Naklicki says, concluding that: “Our customers are

using information technology as a very powerful tool. They are saving money, they are delivering services that weren’t possible before and they are finding very smart ways to bring their products to market.

“Throughout Africa we have seen innovation and transformation beyond even our own expectation and as economic recovery starts to gather momentum, Oracle Africa plans to play a key role in this transformation.”

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SAAS

Offering Tangible Business Benefits through the Cloud

Thomas Kurian President of Product Development

WHEN CONSIDERING the rise of global cloud computing, you don’t have to read far down the list of pioneers to find Oracle. While the uptake of its comprehensive cloud service varies across its extensive international footprint, the Company’s presence in Africa is especially fascinating having grown on the continent alongside the very trends that the business is helping to introduce.

When discussing cloud computing in Africa, you have to discuss Oracle.

Silver linings

Given the rise of cloud technologies over the past decade, the challenge to differentiate and optimise the offering is monumental, but the rewards for finding the right solutions are invaluable, as Oracle has found to its credit across all of its regions of operation.

At a recent Oracle Media Day, Oracle executives told journalists that Oracle customers benefit from using a development platform that supports the same Java programming language used to develop Oracle’s own SaaS applications. They offered five reasons why Oracle should be considered a cloud company.

‘Unrivalled levels of understanding regarding database security, coupled with the ability to continuously expand its cloud functionality, further sets Oracle apart from competitors...’

CIO Perspectives on SaaS

SaaS Blueprint for Success A recent independent survey by IDC of 160 CIOs & IT Decision Makers in 8 countries in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (ECEMEA), complemented by in-depth interviews with SaaS users, provides valuable insight into how CIOs and business managers view and are adopting SaaS.

SAAS OFFERS TANGIBLE BUSINESS BENEFITS

69%

Companies are changing the way that they view SaaS and it is no longer seen as hype, but offering tangible business benefits.

Over 60% of all companies across major verticals have adopted or are in the process of implementing cloud solutions.

say that the cloud offers significant tangible benefits

MAIN DRIVERS OF SAAS ADOPTION

58%

53%

Access to better technology.

Faster deployment.

51% Delivery of more projects.

TOP BENEFITS GAINED BY ORGANISATIONS

36%

61%

Increased competitive advantage.

48%

Improved workforce productivity.

62%

Significant savings achieved.

Impact on process efficiency.

SAAS ROADMAP FOR THE ENTERPRISE CRM

ERP

HCM

20%

19%

planned

already implemented

20%

18%

planned

already implemented

16%

18%

planned

already implemented

In terms of adoption or future adoption plans, most companies have a “SaaS Also” approach.

ORACLE CLOUD: COMPLETE, MODERN, FLEXIBLE, SECURE—AND READY FOR BUSINESS Oracle Cloud delivers a full suite of integrated, enterprise-grade applications services, enriched with social capabilities and embedded business intelligence, and providing easy access via mobile devices.

As a result of Oracle's uniquely comprehensive, modern approach to cloud applications, business can:

Innovate faster with less risk

Quickly execute integrated business processes

Transform user experience and mobile accessibility

Deliver unprecedented insight with transparent and actionable reporting

To download theTHE fullINDEPENDENT report, visit:MARKET-RESEARCH www.oracle.com/goto/idcme DOWNLOAD REPORT Get your copy of the IDC research report “SaaS Blueprint for Success” to see further details about cloud adoption.

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DOWNLOAD NOW

Zensar Technologies Zensar and Oracle are ready to propel your business using the cloud Zensar is a leading software and infrastructure solutions provider with industry expertise across Manufacturing, Retail, Insurance, Utilities, Banking, Financial Services and the Public Sector. The company delivers comprehensive services for missioncritical enterprise applications, business intelligence and analytics, business process management and digital enterprise services.

A recent industry trends study by Oracle highlights a clear increase in demand for Cloud solutions in 2015. Additionally, it indicates an increase in the number of organizations showing an inclination towards making a move to the cloud. Moving to the cloud is rewarding, but poses a few challenges as well. This is where Zensar can help you.

For example - A leading work force management company with over 26 branches leveraged Oracle Cloud solutions to replace manual processes with automated and integrated processes. Zensar helped them realize superior work force, improve end customer service, ability to monitor and control the financial spend and most importantly acquire a scalable platform to support aggressive business expansion plans.

Zensar is an Oracle Platinum Partner and an Oracle Cloud specialized partner. We have helped organizations across the globe to leverage Oracle Cloud platform and gain the following: • Faster return on investment • Simplify and standardize IT infrastructure and lower cost • Moving from CAPEX to OPEX • Process standardizations

Zensar and Oracle Cloud Unique Advantages: • Oracle Cloud Centre of Excellences for Customer Experience, Enterprise Resource Planning, Enterprise Performance Management, Human Capital and Analytics • Proven and tested rapid cloud solution deployment methodology • Cloud and application unlimited coexistence solutions • Oracle Cloud certified professionals • Dedicated Oracle Cloud Lab to build proof of concepts and demonstrations Zensar in Africa Zensar is among the top Oracle service providers in the world and has been present in Africa since 2001, and is well entrenched in the context of understanding local requirements and providing solutions to help Africa based organizations achieve their business objectives.

Zensar set up its first office in Johannesburg and then expanded into Southern and East Africa. Today, Zensar has presence in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Nairobi across various verticals. Currently, the African operation is 700+ people across shores and has got close to 30 customers specifically in the Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, Retail, Manufacturing domains and the Government. In South Africa, Zensar is a BBBEE level 3 certified organization operating under the name Zensar (South Africa) Pty Ltd.

E marcom@zensar.com www.zensar.com

We are a leading provider of IT consulting and System Integration services with more than twenty two years of experience in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean, as well as in the European and African regions.

Since our incorporation in 1992, the company has achieved considerable growth, reaching in 2014, an annual turnover of around USD 10 million.

Our Headquarters is in Mauritius and we have regional offices in Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Madagascar.

Our workforce of around 150 professionals comprises business consultants, experts and software engineers in the field of Information Technology and Communication. More than 30 of them hold some certification in an Oracle technology.

We successfully carry out, on average, more than 100 projects every year for clients in more than 10 countries in the Indian Ocean, African and European regions. These projects provide solutions in many sectors, including Government, Financial Services, Telecommunications, Agriculture, Textile, Manufacturing, Aviation and Logistics, Hospitality and Tourism, Commerce/Retail, and Construction.

Our New Digital Service Lines

We have dedicated teams that develop and implement innovative solutions in leading edge technologies:

Cloud We implement both On Premise and Cloud solutions.

We recommend Cloud wherever possible because it encourages best practice, requires little upfront investment, avails the latest version of the software and is secure and highly available.

Mobility Our off-the-shelf or custom developed mobile applications integrate seamlessly with our Oracle offerings to provide comprehensive solutions.

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Data We help clients build, manage and analyse gigantic databases.

Security We have a host of solutions to address security concerns of our clients.

Formerly known as MAURITIUS P.O Box 41 1st Floor, The Factory Building, VivĂŠa Business Park Saint Pierre 81430, Moka, Mauritius T +230 405 7900

BOTSWANA P.O. Box 26591 Plot 135, Unit 9, K Gaborone, Botsw T +267 316 1279 F +267 316 1281

In recognition of our valuable achievements, our company has obtained several awards: • We have successfully implemented Oracle solutions for more than 15 years, and are currently an Oracle Platinum Partner.

• In 2010, we obtained the Oracle Partner Specialisation Award for being the partner of choice in the Financial Sector in the region.

• We are a member of the Oracle Partner Advisory Board Africa since April 2013.

Our wide range of expertise in Oracle solutions includes: • Oracle E-Business Suite Implementations: ERP, HCM, Financials, Oracle Database (DBA) and Application Server Support Services • Oracle Cloud implementations: Fusion, Taleo Consultancy and knowledge transfer services: Database • Administration, Oracle Discoverer Oracle vertical applications: Fleet Management, Axle • Load Control, Old age pension management, Document Management System (DMS), Training Institution Management System (TIMS) and Seamless integration with mobile applications, web services • Oracle custom application development using advanced Development Frameworks that boost up productivity

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need us to assist you in addressing your business challenges DCDM Consulting Ltd

Kgale Terrace, wana

MADAGASCAR Emplacement F5, Zone « AFRIPORT » ZI Forello, Tanjombato, Antananarivo Madagascar

SOUTH AFRICA The Business Centre Fourways, Leslie Ave Design Quarter 2191 South Africa

E contact@agileum.com

agileum.com

TANZANIA 7th Floor, Amani Place Ohio Street, Office Park Dar es Salaam Tanzania

KENYA ICEA Building, 17th floor Kenyatta Avenue P.O Box 15168-00400 Nairobi, Kenya

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SAAS Oracle’s President of Product Development, Thomas Kurian emphasised the importance of strategic levers given to customers via integrated applications including ecommerce, sales and service to ensure an all-encompassing real-time customer service. “This type of tight integration between traditionally standalone applications is where we think the future is,” he said within the blog.

“This type of tight integration between traditionally standalone applications is where we think the future is”

8 STEPS TO ORACLE PRIVATE CLOUD

1 Design

5 Ordering services

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Unrivalled levels of understanding regarding database security, coupled with the ability to continuously expand its cloud functionality, further sets Oracle apart from competitors across key areas of innovation, and while PaaS looks set to overtake SaaS as an option in the years to come, the latter still formulates a large aspect of the Company’s service uptake in Africa.

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2 Cloud infrastructure

6 Monitoring

3 Assembling

7 Billing

4 Testing

7 Usage optimisation

Agileum A strong and trusted relationship with Oracle

• The Oracle Partner Specialisation Award for being the partner of choice in the financial sector in the region.

• Membership of the Oracle Partner Advisory Board Africa.

Our ingrained Innovation culture allows us to use cutting-edge technology to create the most suitable solutions to fulfill Over the years, our partnership with the needs of our clients.

Oracle Corporation has strengthened in all business sectors across our territories.

Our company has maintained a As a trusted adviser and a leading ICT strong and trusted partnership with solution provider to governments and Oracle Corporation for over a decade many other industries, we are the first and we have earned a reputation of Mauritian company to have certified implementing Oracle solutions of the resources in Oracle Cloud HCM and are highest quality standards across our currently implementing an Oracle Cloud territories. Our wide range of expertise in solution for a big chain of hotels.

Oracle solutions includes, among others, E-Business Suite implementations, Our implementation of Oracle Human Oracle Custom Software Development, Capital Management to manage the Oracle Business Intelligence, Oracle public service of the government of an Database Management, Java Application African country is one of our recent Development. success stories and further strengthened We also complement our Oracle Cloud offering with consulting services that lead our clients to the adoption of best practices, thereby eliminating the need for customisation. Oracle’s new Cloud HCM version increases global agility with global management of human resources.

With a single human resource instance, for instance, a multi-national can align its HR processes across multiple countries.

In recognition of our valuable achievements, our company has obtained several awards and accreditations: • Oracle Platinum Partner status.

our relationship with Oracle.

We regularly outsource resources to organisations, including other Oracle partners, to assist them on their important and/or complex projects where they require specialised skills. Our rates are very competitive and our skills levels are of international standard.

T +230 4057900 E contact@agileum.com

FLEXCUBE

CENTRE OF LEARNING

Accra - Ghana

INTRODUCTION Harnessing the power and the full potential of your Core Banking Software (CBS) is highly dependent on the skills and knowledge of the end user. From the Teller in the customer facing environment to the Application Support Person, the ability to use your business application effectively to improve service delivery is the goal of most banks. We deliver on all your key end user’s technical or functional training needs.

We propose that for effective utilization of the CBS, banks should target the training of all end users within 3 - 6 months after “go-live”. After this, all subsequent challenges that arise such as changes in sequence of key-strokes are corrected and reinforced. Our goal is to help you maximize the full potential of your investment and to consolidate the in-house knowledge and significantly expand the effective use of ICT.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THE INVESTMENT IN YO U R C O R E B A N K I N G S O F T WA R E ( C B S )

ABOUT US iBanking Solutions Ltd. is a Gold Partner in the Global Oracle Partner Network (OPN), with its head office in Accra, Ghana. Our training programmes are fully instructor-led and facilitated by a team of dedicated trainers with technical and functional expertise in IT as a business development tool and banking operations with several years of experience in the financial services sector.

We help trainees bridge the gap between the business issues they will face in their daily tasks and an ever changing ICT dependent environment. We customize training programmes to meet the needs of a given set of employees in the areas of banking operations and technology as a tool or as a service. Our training centre is well equipped with state of the art technology.

Our programmes can be customized to cover full-day sessions or half-day sessions (Lunch and coffee breaks provided)

A well-trained and knowledgeable employee is an asset, operating more effectively, making fewer mistakes and causing less disruption to business operations. Your bank will thereby operate at optimum capacity. There will also be minimal dependency on your Incident Management Structures. iBanking training programmes are designed to help you leverage the design potential and the flexibility built in the CBS to aid in new product launch from time to time. We enable trainees to understand the banking business requirements that informed the design-logic, architecture and general functionality of the Core Banking Application.

Our programmes are aimed at: • Delivering and imparting technical and functional knowledge which will give your bank a winning edge from a cutting-edge technology.

• Enabling and empowering all levels of users to know what to do, when to do it, how to do it, who to do it and why it must be done and thereby causing little or no disruption to business operations.

• Providing opportunity for continuous learning. Specifically, within the training programmes, selected end users can be taken through structured training modules that will provide FLEXCUBE Technical Certification and FLEXCUBE Functional Certification from Oracle University to successful candidates. In our view, FLEXCUBE Certified staff within a bank ensures a stamp of professionalism in those charged with maintaining a higher level of performance and delivery from your FCUBS platform.

• Reducing on-the-job training time by providing new employees with the requisite knowledge and skills by sending them through Accra-based training facility, fully supported by the designers of the software.

LEARN, IMPROVE ...... RIGHT HERE AT HOME

MISSION: To provide customized and demand-driven training and software managed services consultancies to the banking and the financial services industries with a well-motivated knowledgeable team.

VISION: To be a leading financial services training support centre and partner for ORACLE in the delivery of cutting edge technology in Africa.

www.ibankingsolutions.net

FLEXCUBE

CENTRE OF LEARNING

Accra - Ghana

OVERVIEW OF iBanking TRAINING PROGRAMMES BOOT CAMP (I) TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR NEWLY RECRUITED BANK STAFF OR FRESH GRADUATES FROM TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS The programme provides a powerful combination Of theory and practical knowledge on contemporary topics of the Ghanaian banking and financial services industries. The programme is in two phases: (i) The basics of banking business. (ii) The banking application system used by the institution to deliver banking services. (e.g.

Oracle FLEXCUBE) The aim of this programme is to introduce participants to the basic theory and practice of banking and accounting principles through the medium offered by information technology (thus the term “Banking Application Software”).

BOOT CAMP (II) TRAINING FOR NEWLY RECRUITED, CONTRACT STAFF AND NATIONAL SERVICE PERSONNEL POSTED TO BANKS AND THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS The 10-day programme provides a comprehensive coverage of theory and practical knowledge of the various businesses banks offer including new areas such as electronic and mobile banking. The programme is designed to meet the training needs of contract staff and/or temporary staff of banks and financial services institutions (such as National Service Personnel posted to the banks). Practical sessions on banking operations are fully discussed and the theory and the business processes underpinning the daily tasks of the scheduled staff are fully explained.

END-USER TRAINING in Oracle FLEXCUBE FOR SELECTED CATEGORIES OF STAFF, namely: • Retail, Branch and Operations Managers • Tellers (customer-facing and back office) • Staff who work in Trade Finance, Money Markets, Treasury Back Office/Foreign Operations • Consumer Lending/SME/Relationship Managers • Product - & Operations - Support Teams.

This is a 2-10 day programme depending on the job role of targeted staff. The programme uses each individual bank’s Core Banking Software (CBS) version currently in use to execute daily tasks performed by the staff. The programme thus provides the theory, practical knowledge and the technology issues related to the specific business process and the job function of the participant. To achieve full interactivity, the training platform should be what the participant is used to, so we use data from the insitution’s current Core Banking Software (CBS) version.

TECHNICAL TRAINING ON ORACLE FCUBS – APPLICATION SUPPORT The 15-day programme is designed to deepen the knowledge of data centre and end-of-day (EOD) technical staff who support to close current day activities and set-up for beginning of day (BOD) the following day.

In scope in this module are: 1. Managing source versions 2. Debugging user issues 3. Undertaking 1st level analysis and simulated interactions with support teams.

TECHNICAL TRAINING – ORACLE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ENTERPRISE EDITION (OBIEE) The 10-day programme imparts to participants the Oracle FCUBS Technical Architecture, Basic Concepts and FCUBS Naming conventions.

Participants will be taken through the various tables generated in FCUBS Naming conventions. In this module, we cover: • FLEXCUBE data dictionary • OBIEE BI administration universe • Freehand OBIEE/BI publisher report generation Participants will be able to understand the information needed by business units within the bank and will be able to design and produce timely, accurate and useful reports.

TECHNICAL TRAINING ON ORACLE FCUBS DEVELOPMENT WORKBENCH The 10-day programme provides insight into the Oracle FCUBS “Dev Workbench”. Participants are introduced to the Development Workbench Tool, Automatic Code generation as well as Extensibility.

This module includes sessions on FLEXCUBE Installer and Interface set up using Gateway Server.

Contact us Solutions Ltd 10 Abeasi Street, Ambassadorial Enclave, East Legon, Accra - Ghana, P. O. Box KA 30310, Airport - Accra, Ghana Tel.: +233 (0)302 543 202 +233 (0)267 666 351 info@ibankingsolutions.net www.ibankingsolutions.net

Solutions Ltd IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ORACLE FINANCIAL SERVICES SOFTWARE, INDIA AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS WORLDWIDE

LET YOUR INVESTMENT IN ICT DRIVE YOUR COMPETITIVENESS

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SAAS “Oracle Cloud delivers a full suite of integrated, enterprise-grade applications services, enriched with social capabilities and embedded business intelligence, and providing easy access via mobile devices”

Ready for business

“We are the only ones now in the market with all three layers of cloud,” says Kenya’s Country Leader, Dr. Gilbert Saggia.

For Oracle, repeat business and longstanding client relationships are achieved through the evolution to PaaS, and then on to IaaS, but for many of its customers over the past decade, the initial SaaS connection is what defines the Company’s development as a cloud entity and partner.

As an independent survey carried out by IDC recently indicated, the majority of global enterprises now recognise SaaS as a solution that offers tangible business benefits due to the enhanced access to technology, and the improved productivity that is achieved as a consequence.

“Oracle Cloud delivers a full suite of integrated, enterprise-grade applications services, enriched with social capabilities and embedded business intelligence, and providing easy access via mobile devices,” emphasises Saggia.

“Oracle’s modern approach to cloud applications can help businesses innovate faster with less risk; quickly execute integrated business processes; transform user experience and mobile accessibility; and deliver new insight with transparent and actionable reporting.”

“We are comfortable dealing with vendors that are able to provide us with both on-premise and SaaS options for certain applications” - Kevin Kinyanjui, Information Systems Director, Kenya Airways

Dr. Gilbert Saggia, Country Leader, Kenya

“Oracle was selected as the foundation for this new technology platform based on its global expertise in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) deployment and its track record of delivery in the Kenyan and East African markets. We were looking for a world-class solution that is agile and that could seamlessly integrate well with our multiple core business and support systems.

I commend the contribution of Oracle and TransSys, our partner, to the project so far. They have demonstrated global expertise, coupled with a local team that has experience within the Kenyan and regional environment” - Jack Maina, CIO, Britam

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PROJECT JAWABU SET TO DELIVER AN OPTIMUM CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Africa Outlook (AfO): Can you firstly talk me through the company’s affiliation with Oracle and how it began?

Jack Maina, CIO, Britam (JM): In July 2014, Oracle was selected as the foundation of Britam’s new technology platform based on its global expertise in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) deployments and its track record of delivery in the Kenyan and East African markets.

Britam also engaged with Oracle Consulting Services and TransSys Solutions, an Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) Platinum level member, to ensure the system was implemented effectively and that the process of transferring skills to Britam’s IT team was seamless.

and also facilitate improved cash flow management and investment returns.

The implementation of structured workflows to enforce discipline in transaction processing and to track/escalate points of delay should improve our internal control system, and increase the efficiency of our internal audit and enterprise risk management functions and controls.

We expect end-to-end straight through processing of some transactions, significant reduction in manual processes/interventions and work-arounds particularly where processes such as procurement/supply chain and HR were largely manual, resulting in accelerated operational efficiency.

Through the HCM (Human Capital Management) modules, we expect increased AfO: What made Britam choose Oracle’s productivity as a result of an enhanced service over other market operators? performance management solution, more JM: We were looking for a world-class accurate and timely computation of benefits solution that is agile and that could seamlessly and reimbursements, efficient recruitment integrate well with our multiple core business and on-boarding process for staff across and support systems. I commend the our seven countries and extended branch contribution of Oracle and TransSys to the networks, and overall increased security and project so far. They have demonstrated global confidentiality of staff information. expertise, coupled with a local team that has The Business Intelligence tool will enable experience within the regional environment. intelligent information, for intelligent decision Oracle has a strong delivery team on the making and increased market responsiveness. ground. Since the initial launch of the ERP project in July 2014, we have seen both Oracle AfO: Finally, what would you say sets and TransSys actively leading at our project Oracle apart from its competitors, based office. on the experience you have had working alongside the company?

AfO: What other benefits have you JM: Apart from providing world-class, enjoyed from this relationship with integrated technology, Oracle has developed Oracle since the services’ adoption? strong presence in the region through its JM: The ERP system is expected to deliver own offices as well as partners like TransSys major benefits for Britam, including timely, Solutions. It is also focused on education to accurate and reliable financial information ensure its whole ecosystem is able to deliver and relevant management reports due to the cutting-edge cloud and shared services integration capability. We expect that the solutions to customers. system will strengthen our management and statutory reporting, incentive calculations

Jack Maina CIO, Britam British-American Investments Company (Kenya) Limited (Britam) is a diversified financial services group, listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, offering a wide range of financial products and services across the insurance, asset management, banking and property domain.

Boasting a presence across East Africa – including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania - the Company has launched “Jawabu”, as the project is known, an ambitious IT-enabled business transformation project designed to deliver the technology capabilities required to provide the best customer experience.

It is part of the diversified financial services Group’s quest to achieve its strategy for regional and local expansion through IT business transformation, and to also respond to the growing requirements of its customers.

Project “Jawabu” is supported by the implementation of Oracle’s E-Business Suite, Oracle SOA Suite and Oracle Middleware, Oracle Taleo Learn Cloud Service and Oracle Business Intelligence tools.

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19

TransSys Solutions TransSys Solutions: Transformation Begins Here Living by its name which represents Transformational Systems & Solutions, TransSys is a certified Oracle Platinum Partner that strives to be a specialist in making client’s transformational vision a reality rather than being a mere system integrator. The founders of TransSys carry over 150 person years of experience in ERP Implementation, Program and Project Management, Bolt-on solutions development and deployment with specialization across Airlines, BFSI, Oil & Gas, Real Estate, Telecom and Retail verticals.

Having a long list honors and achievements to its credit, TransSys Solutions has been recognized with Prestigious Oracle Excellence Award for Specialized Partner of the Year – EMEA in Applications for 2014, Oracle “SaaS Partner of the Year for 2014”, Oracle “Specialized Partner of the Year 2013” in the ECEMEA region and Excel4apps”Partner of the year 2013″ title for GL Wand product category for the second consecutive year amongst other recognitions.

Headquartered in Dubai with a development centre in India, TransSys has served over 70 customers in Middle

East, Africa and India since inception.

The company offers solutions focused on Oracle E-Biz Suite, ERP Implementations, Upgrades and Support, HCM, EPM, Fusion Applications, Customer Experience Management Solutions (Siebel and Fusion) Oracle based Core Developments and BI Solutions.

Innovation driven leadership in Cloud Solutions Besides delivering on premise Enterprise solutions, TransSys is today a leader in delivering SaaS based Solutions with significant innovations to boot. TransSys has done about 30 engagements on Cloud for customers across Banking, Airline, Real Estate and other customers and these solutions cut across Human Capital Management, Customer Relationship Management and ERP domains. Our innovations are around bringing in Industry flavours to the cloud solutions for industries such as Airlines, Real Estate & Banking besides integrations with multiple on-premise applications as well.

Dubai Headquarters +9714-5096707 India Dev Centre +91 44 30851111 www.transsyssolutions.com

O R A C L E

A F R I C A

PAAS

Integrative Solution Instils Customer Confidence

Cherian Varghese Cluster Leader, Africa

“Despite several challenges, African countries have continued to outperform global average growth indicators since the turn of the century”

22

OVER THE past decade, Africa has become one of the most rapidly evolving regions on the planet in regards to embracing new technologies, despite traditional challenges still engrained into some areas of the continent.

The desire to reach levels of western connectivity and accessibility is there in such abundance that cloud computing, especially, has gained previously unthinkable levels of traction over the past decade or more. Getting SaaS off the ground was challenging enough, but the infiltration of PaaS, IaaS and now even DaaS signifies that more and more regions across the continent have the infrastructure to at least be introduced to these new trends, for the good of the future of business and industry in Africa.

“Despite several challenges, African countries have continued to outperform global average growth indicators since the turn of the century,” emphasises Africa’s Cluster Leader, Cherian Varghese. “The world did not expect such a rapid adoption of cloud, especially from the African countries.

“Platform as a Service (PaaS) sounded like a nonstarter in African markets 12 months back. However the global push on cloud has made a significant impact on the African decision makers. With the emergence of mobile as big player in Africa, services like Oracle Java Cloud Service, Oracle Database Cloud Services and storage as an infrastructure service has captured the mind of both SME & large customers in Africa.

Intense education

Research firm, IDC forecasts that, on a global scale, the PaaS market will grow to more than $14 billion over the next two years; an astounding figure given that the benefits of the trend are still debated and ambiguous across different sectors.

“When they move to the cloud, people are no longer only looking for software as a service or infrastructure as a service,” said Mike Lehmann, Oracle’s Vice President of Product Management in a recent Forbes article. “They’re thinking of bringing

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STATE INFORMATICS LIMITED

S

tate Informatics Limited (SIL) is a full-fledged systems integrator that has gained the trust of private companies and Governments alike in the local and international markets. More than 200 consultants, developers and engineers have successfully developed and implemented over 300 ICT projects in Mauritius and mainland African countries.

This has been achieved thanks to the expertise of SIL’s team, to our expertise about the public sector and other domains, and to our relationship with technology partners of global dimensions, including our longeststanding partner, Oracle.

We have learned how to master the technologies of our partners and to adapt them to the needs and expectations of our markets and clients, hence also contributing to our partners’ products, services and brands being highly regarded. SIL is an Oracle Platinum Partner and has developed and successfully implemented key solutions for governments in Mauritius or in mainland Africa, based on Oracle technologies. Examples of such solutions are the Crime Occurrence Tracking System (COTS) for the police force, the Integrated Financial Management Information System for ministries of Finance, the Immigration and Border Control System, and the Company Business Registration Information System (CBRIS). Our ISV status, which is unique in Mauritius, has made it possible for us to provide development services on Oracle and to create the TaMIS packaged software for HR management.

The launch of SILNAM in Namibia in 2003 and that of SILBOTS in Botswana in 2011 both demonstrate SIL’s ambitions as a regional player with partners in various markets, as well as our participation in skills development in every country where SIL is present.

www.sil.mu

Proud to be working with our world-renowned partner.

SIL is a leader in providing integrated IT solutions for the African region. With its offices in Mauritius, Namibia and Botswana, SIL serves multinational companies as well as government organisations and local businesses. The expansion of SIL in the African continent demonstrates our capability to deliver the right solutions, whatever the needs and identity of the client organisation.

Mauritius • Namibia • Botswana

+230 207 8000

silmail@sil.mu

www.sil.mu

O R A C L E

A F R I C A

PAAS over application platforms and workloads to gain some of the same benefits for the application layer; standardisation, faster deployment, automation with more flexible capital expenditure approaches, and seamless integration.”

Varghese explains how this has transpired in Africa: “The adoption of PaaS in our market space has been the result of both intense education to our customers, our partners & our sales ecosystem.

Oracle - PaaS FIRST initiative has yielded great results from market penetration perspective.

African customers are well abreast with our cloud solutions.

Our marquee event “Oracle Cloud World” has pulled customers from this part of the world to attend and interact with global customers. We are backing the African markets with tailored Africa events branded as “Africa Cloud Day”.

“Customers have had challenges to be early adopters, however with a few wins, we have been able to replicate and grow faster than expected”

24

Customer confidence

Research does suggest that the level of understanding surrounding PaaS is improving, allowing Oracle to really benefit in the world’s fastest-improving adopting continent.

Additional services across database Java, mobility, integration and on-demand offerings being delivered in the cloud has set the Company apart in this particular market arguably more so than in any other, and customer feedback only goes further in supporting this claim.

“Customers have had challenges to be early adopters, however with a few wins, we have been able to replicate and grow faster than expected,” Varghese states. “Companies have realised that power and infrastructure is a constant challenge in African shores. The enormous amount of electricity required for running large data centres and cooling them, has led them to believe that a failover environment can easily be hosted in remote countries.

“This has led to CXO’s easily adopting the PAAS platform and thereby reducing capital expenses.

Oracle PaaS gets everything onto one platform, so integration becomes easier. This also leads to better economic sense in serving their customers better and bringing faster services to customers.

Varghese concludes: “In a nutshell, customers are feeling confident about investing in Oracle’s PaaS solution.”

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CISAN INTERNATIONAL LTD

C

isan International Limited “Cisan” is a multi-competency enterprise transformation and technology consulting firm that combines expertise and capabilities across many industries and business functions to deliver superior value to its clients. Cisan collaborates with its clients, both in the private and public sectors, to build high performance enterprises.

Cisan’s IT transformation solutions help clients get maximum value from existing systems and new investments.

Our professionals are experienced in working with both technology and business executives to help them do more for less.

We specialize in transforming IT operations to complement business directions and priorities, and deliver IT services consistently and effectively. We provide a roadmap to support clients through the IT change process while aligning the business and achieving stakeholder agreement. The result is dramatic improvements in collaboration between users, applications, and technology components, generating significant value for any business and creating competitive advantage.

Cisan’s principals and directors have a combined industry experience of over 25 years in various sectors of the economy: with competence in business transformation, financial advisory, software engineering, communication technology, e-Business development, government transformations (e-Government), systems integration, IT consulting, Instrumentation & Control, and process reengineering.

Cisan has deep understanding of the industries it works in, strong technical competencies, and an outstanding track record both in the private and public sectors. With its tested methodologies and best practices, its clients get bestfit, quality solutions that meet their business demands.

With a flexible organizational structure primed to deliver customized services to its clients, Cisan goes the extra mile to fully understand its clients’ real needs.

In this way, its clients are enabled to reinvent themselves and remodel their operations and business services using proven business methodologies.

I.T & TELECOMS ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATION CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGEMENT For over 20 years, Cisan has been providing undisputable first-rate Systems, exceptional Services, and superb business Solutions to a wide spectrum of customers. Our strategic partnerships with many leading global brands have put us in an even stronger position to further secure our place in Nigeria’s ICT and Telecommunications sector.

We supply and deploy Oracle Engineered Systems, traditional servers and storage solutions

Our Partners

Galcon House, Plot 2, Blk 113, Lekki Express Way (By Elf B/Stop), Lekki –Phase 1, Lagos State, Nigeria T: 01-2805755-6 | 08037610167 • E: info@cisaninternational.com • www.cisaninternational.com

O R A C L E

A F R I C A

BIG DATA

Big Data: Who Needs It?

Kevin Attard Country Leader, South Africa

“In Africa, we believe both the private and public sector enterprises are poised to go through the evolution of data warehousing into a fully-fledged data management systems consisting of three components: ‘data warehouse’, ‘data reservoir’ and ‘franchised query engine’” 26

AS TODAY’S enterprises embrace big data, their information architecture must also evolve. Every sizeable organisation has probably run a data warehouse and used business analytics to interrogate the information generated by its IT systems. But data today is far more complex; it consists not only of figures and facts, but also video, data collected outside of the organisation on social platforms, the internet, commerce sites, voice, and many more elements.

“Every enterprise has some sort of data warehouse today, but best practice embraces emerging technologies such as Hadoop and NoSQL,” explains Oracle South Africa’s Country Leader, Kevin Attard. “Today’s information architecture recognises that data is not only stored in increasingly disparate data platforms, but also in increasingly disparate locations; on premise and potentially multiple cloud platforms.”

The idea of a single monolithic “enterprise data warehouse” has faded as a new more flexible architecture has emerged. Oracle calls this new architecture the Oracle Big Data Management System.

Attard adds: “In Africa, we believe both the private and public sector enterprises are poised to go through the evolution of data warehousing into fully-fledged data management systems consisting of three components: ‘data warehouse’, ‘data reservoir’ and ‘franchised query engine’.”

2015 is the year

Now recognised as a kind of capital, data is just as necessary in establishing new products, services and methods of working as it is as financial capital.

“For CEOs, this means securing access to, and increasing use of, data capital by digitising and data-fying key activities with customers, suppliers and partners before rivals do,” Attard continues. “For CIOs, this

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means providing data liquidity; the ability to get data the firm wants into the shape it needs with minimal time, cost and risk.”

To meet the needs of these aforementioned CEOs in Africa, Oracle has set itself apart through its unparalleled levels of innovation to address specific industry criteria, and to produce bespoke solutions across the full range of benefiting sectors.

This, in turn, has laid the foundations for what Attard believes will be yet another pivotal year of big data evolution in 2015: “2015 is the year of big data for enterprises, and it is essential for solutions to evolve as trends for technology usage change in the market. Oracle has an excellent understanding of big data trends predicted in the market and our R&D is geared to address these trends.

“We are focusing on the expectation that corporate boardrooms will talk about data capital rather than big data, big data management will ‘grow up’, companies will demand ‘a SQL for all seasons’, just-in-time transformation will transform ETL (extract, transform and load) activities, self-service discovery and visualisation tools will come to big data, security and governance will increase big data capabilities, and production workloads will blend cloud and on premise capabilities.”

Future forecast

Also addressing the need for different readiness and maturity levels for progressive technologies in Africa, Oracle’s allencompassing approach has aligned itself with recent Gartner research which has shown that early adoption of big data solutions can generate as much as 20 percent difference in performance between themselves and later adopters of the same solutions; Globacom in Nigeria being just one

T

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C

H

N

O

L

O

G

Y

ORACLE’S BIG DATA PREDICTIONS, 2015 1. Corporate boardrooms will talk about data capital, not big data 2. Big data management will grow – up 3. Companies will demand an SQL for all seasons 4. Just-in-time transformation will transform ETL 5. Self-service discovery and visualisation tools will come to big data 6. Security and governance will increase big data innovation

of the numerous enterprises to have enjoyed a close, big data-orientated relationship with Oracle over the years.

“In Africa, telcos and banks are the early adopters. So, we believe that the parts of the equation are poised to bring about a positive difference; Oracle’s offering in Africa being state of the art, and the African enterprises – some of them – being ready to adopt early,” Attard concludes. “Oracle will extend its current Big Data Management System to provide fast, integrated, secure access to all data; not only data stored in an Oracle Exadata-based data warehouse or Oracle Big Data Appliance, but also data stored in operational NoSQL databases, transactional

relational databases, streaming data sources and more.

“Our future Big Data Management System will provide a framework for easily incorporating new data sources, ensuring that these new data sources can be seamlessly managed. Oracle will execute its BDMS vision incrementally, spanning multiple product and release cycles.

“Oracle’s core big data products will be available in the cloud. In line with Oracle’s corporate strategy, the same capabilities and products that are available on-premise are also being delivered as Oracle cloud services.

This allows customers to easily migrate existing Oracle systems to the cloud.”

7. Production workloads blend cloud and onpremise capabilities

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O R A C L E

A F R I C A

C U S T O M E R

S P O T L I G H T :

S K A

THE WORLD’S BIGGEST RADIO TELESCOPE TRIGGERS SA BIG DATA ACTIVITIES

“Unlike what you may consider in life, when observing the universe, size does matter. Ingesting exabytes of radio telescope data requires a secure, long-term and high capacity storage system like the SL 150” – Manfred Gramlich, Systems Executive, Oracle South Africa

28

THE SOUTH African Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Project sees the telescope as a trigger for big data activities in South Africa and reaching into other African Partner Countries. The aim is to bolster development on a large scale as part of a national, multi-disciplinary programme, bringing together local universities, government and industry to tackle a range of big data challenges and to develop skills in big data management.

Focused on the MeerKAT and SKA, a range of projects are underway in the fields of high performance and power efficient computing, advanced algorithms, artificial intelligence and data visualisation, to name a few.

A number of other initiatives are also under way, including collaboration with the Western Cape government that will result in the construction of a big data-focused, high-performance computing facility in the province. In Carnarvon, an e-learning programme for young students, as well as a community knowledge centre, has already taken shape with a view to drive skills development in the area.

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is an international project to build a radio telescope tens of times more sensitive and hundreds of times faster at mapping the sky than today’s best radio astronomy facilities. Simply put: the world’s largest radio telescope. The SKA will also be the world’s largest public science data project.

Once completed, it will generate data at a rate more than 10 times today’s global internet traffic.

The process of building the biggest radio telescope in the world is rapidly moving forward, located in South Africa and eight other African countries and Australia. The core of the African component of the telescope is being built in the Karoo, near the town of Carnarvon. A green field site for the telescope has been established that is now fully provided with infrastructure; power lines, a very fast optical fibre connection to the national network, specially constructed buildings, roads and accommodation. The site is protected from radio interference (which would make the telescope blind) by regulations promulgated in terms of the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act.

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INTERDIST ALLIANCES

W

ith presence in 11 African countries, and plans to increase our footprint, Interdist Alliances is ideally placed to assist partners across the continent to grow their Oracle business.

We currently hold 5 Oracle Specialisations across both hardware and software solutions and are constantly working to increase these as we see our knowledge of the Oracle solutions as a key differentiator, allowing us to offer comprehensive presales advice to both our partners and their customers.

We host the Oracle Partner Hubs in both Nigeria and Kenya, where we offer technical and sales training every week.

In operation since 2013, we have offered over 100 training sessions to over 1,500 students.

Our Oracle Authorised Solution Centre in Nigeria is ranked #1 in the region, with revenue derived from demonstrations and proofs of concept at over $7-million from that market alone.

This year we are taking our OASC to the cloud, enabling us to offer demonstration and proof of concept services to Oracle Partners regardless of their location on the continent.

“Our commitment as a value-added distributor is to help partners find new opportunities and to provide the enablement necessary to support them.

We are very proud to be an Oracle distributor and to be able to execute a shared vision of a word-class technology brand across Africa.” – Kristian Tierney, General Manager E oasc@interdistalliances.com

www.interdistalliances.com

O R A C L E

A F R I C A

SKA PROJECT

“The MeerKAT alone is set to generate the equivalent of 700,000 x32 gigabyte (GB) iPods a day, with the SKA1 and SKA2 set to produce exponentially more. The data is structured but flows in firehose-like quantities through dedicated stages of computing, designed to extract very weak signals from the universe. This is then reduced through various stages of processing, resulting in approximately 7,000 x32GB iPods’ worth of data being stored in the long-term MeerKAT archive each day. This is really big data, which presents its own set of challenges, as well as numerous broader opportunities” - Jasper Horrell, Manager of Science Computing and Innovation, SKA South Africa

30

A team of South Africa scientists and engineers in the SKA South Africa project office has designed and is building the world-leading MeerKAT telescope on the site. It will consist of 64 dish antennas, each 13.5 metres in diameter, so that each antenna stands about four stories high. They will be distributed over 10 kilometres and are connected by buried power lines and optical fibre connections to very fast computers in the underground Karoo Array Processor Building (KAPB) on site. An Oracle SL150 Tape Library is being used to archive the massive amounts of data being ingested from MeerKAT. It is able to scale to high data transfer rates and can store large volumes of data in an energy efficient form.

Oracle’s StorageTek SL150 modular tape library provides simple and scalable data storage, ideal for backup and archival applications. The SL150 delivers an industry-leading combination of ease of use and scalability, scaling seamlessly from 30 to 300 slots and hundreds of terabytes of data. “Unlike what you may consider in life, when observing the universe, size does matter. Ingesting exabytes of radio telescope data requires a secure, long-term and high capacity storage system like the SL150,” says Manfred Gramlich, Systems Executive at Oracle South Africa.

Dr Bernie Fanaroff, SKA SA Project Director says: “There is intense interest from the international astronomy community in the MeerKAT and teams including South African scientists and more than 300 international scientists have been allocated observing time. The MeerKAT will begin “early science” in 2016 and its full science programme in 2017. A seven-dish array, the KAT-7, has been built on site as a prototype and although it was intended as an engineering test bed, it has worked so well that it is in demand by scientists for their observations and is producing important science.

“In March, 2015, the board of directors and the members of the organisation agreed to the proposal for re-baselining the first phase of SKA, called SKA1.

This was done to ensure that SKA1 could be built within the cost cap of €650 million but still have the capability to carry out the science that it will be expected to do. SKA Organisation will build 133 dishes at Losberg in the Karoo - all of them will be 15 metres in diameter - and 125,000 low-frequency antennas in Western Australia. The 64-dish MeerKAT radio telescope will be integrated into the SKA1-MID telescope when the MeerKAT science programme is completed. So the SKA1-MID will consist of 197 dishes in an array spread over 150km around Losberg.”

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OVATIONS GROUP

A

t Ovations, we provide specialist knowledge and innovative transformation solutions. We have a unique understanding of how people, processes and technology combine to optimise business functionality and profitability. Our focus is the transformation of business and customer experience and process optimisation.

We are locally based and our people are locally recruited and skilled. We are a niche South African service provider.

Through this approach, we show our commitment to growing key technical and industrial engineering skills in the South African economy and addressing the large skills gap in the market.

At Ovations, we immerse ourselves in the details of your business or technical issue, while addressing the real issues in your workplace – whether it involves people, processes or technology.

We have specialists in industrial engineering, software engineering, banking, IT architecture, training and insurance. These bright, enthusiastic people are not confined to roles but are encouraged to think out-of-the-box and challenge the status quo.

Our team consists of a substantial number of people, based in Johannesburg and Cape Town. We will roll up our sleeves to get involved and solve your business’ technical problems.

Hardworking, but never forgetting how important it is to have fun while doing it, we bring the Ovations culture and brand into your environment and fit in like one of your own.

If we’ve piqued your interest and you need help transforming your business and processes, send us a mail or give us a call to chat and find out where and how we can make a difference to your organisation.

T +27 (0)11 658 8500 E TalkToUs@OvationsGroup.com

www.ovationsgroup.com

We solve complex problems and sometimes we use technology.

Ovations始 focus is the transformation of business and customer experience from manual to automatic. To do this, we first assess what the current state of your business is and whether it始s organisational, process or technology based. Then we see which technologies you have invested in and if they can do the job required to improve the process and solve the problem. If not, we advise and help with the selection and implementation of enterprise software products.

Please contact TalkToUs@ovationsgroup.com or +27 11 658 8500 for more information. www.ovationsgroup.com

O R A C L E

A F R I C A

MOBILE APPLICATIONS

Fulfilling the Needs of the Millennial Generation

Adebayo Sanni Country Leader, Nigeria

NEW RESEARCH from Oracle has revealed that a majority of millennials would be less likely to use a company’s products or services based on a poor mobile application experience, highlighting the importance of apps in the tech industry’s progression, and also the necessity for R&D into the topic by companies like Oracle.

Mobile Applications are a modern day everpresent in the tech domain having a profound relevance to the new systems entering the market, and the generations of people adapting more rapidly to these new technologies.

The demand for enhanced usage across smartphones, tablets and phablets is particularly palpable across what Oracle calls the ‘millennial’ demographic; the population aged between 18 and 34 to which this evolution most applies to.

“Recent research suggests that 85 percent of people aged 18 to 34 own a smartphone and the effect on businesses globally has been dramatic in a relatively short period of time,” notes Nigeria’s Country Leader for the Company, Adebayo Sanni in relation to the study carried out by a Nigerian Telecommunications Commission. “Nigeria ranks seventh in the world by the number of mobile phone users with nine out of 10 people owning at least one mobile phone.”

‘Recent research suggests that 85 percent of people aged 18 to 34 own a smartphone and the effect on businesses globally has been dramatic in a relatively short period of time’

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FUSION INFORMATION SERVICES

F

usion has been an Oracle Partner since 2006. Fusion’s initial focus was on implementing JDEdwards and Oracle E-business. Over the years, Fusion has gained extensive experience on managing a range of Oracle projects and technologies.

Fusion’s latest offering, Project Portfolio Management as a Service (PPMaaS) is built on this experience.

Fusion is passionate about changing the world on how projects are conceived and managed. We believe that while projects are complex, they can be delivered with quality and predictability time after time.

Fusion’s PPMaaS will provide the following benefits to clients: • Reduce project failures • Ensure that a client obtains the level of PPM capability they desire • Economies of scale • Just enough governance • At a predictable cost • Using industry standard methods • A client can take complete ownership of the PPM capability when they are ready to do so In addition to the PPMaaS, Fusion has developed a unique Unlocking Leadership from Within Training Programme for Project Managers Coaching is considered to be a key enabler for leadership development, empowerment and transformation, and is a key part of this programme, and looks at how we can take good project manager (with or without a certification) and make them more effective through a process of education and coaching.

www.fusionis.co.za

Project PortFoLIo ManageMent as a servIce (PPMaas) PPM FUnctIons

HoW Does It WorK

Financial Management

tracking and reporting

PPM governance

change control

timesheet tracking resource and capacity Planning

• Assess current PPM (state and Maturity) • Define PPM Model (requirements)

career Management

PMo training

Pilot

2

3

rollout

4

Manage

• Agree PMO Model: - target Benefits - PPM scope - training approach - Quality approach

• Agree pilot projects

• Rollout framework

• Train staff

• Bring PPM to full strength

• Get stakeholder feedback • Refine framework

• Train staff • Conduct communications • Get stakeholder feedback • Make operational

• Develop Framework: - governance - Methods - templates - reporting and MI - software

• Support project managers • Inform community • Inform Portfolio Management • Induction programme • Refine framework

governance Predictable cost Industry standard Methods take ownership when ready

• Track performance

WHY

• Review and fine tune

scalable governance Measurable

Quality assurance

consistent

content and Information Management

cLoUD soFtWare

standardise PPM Processes

outsource

obtain PPM capabalility economies of scale

Manage Projects and Programmes

Methodologies and tools

reduce Project Failures

assess and Develop

1

Blueprint

Portfolio Management

BeneFIts

Predictable single source of truth

Benefits Management

Flexibile

risks Issues

UNLOCKING LEADERSHIP FROM WITHIN FOR UNLOCKING LEADERSHIP FROM WITHIN FOR PROJECT MANAGERS KING G LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP FROM FROM WITHIN WITHIN FOR FOR PROJECT MANAGERS PROJECT PROJECT MANAGERS MANAGERS Source: Managing Successful Programmes - Axelos

copyright © 2015 Fusion Information services (Pty) Ltd

email: info@fusionis.co.za

OBJECTIVES

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT

1. Meaning

www.fusionis.co.za

TOPICS

TOPICS TOPICS

• Roles • Roles • Responsibility • Responsibility BENCHMARKING

2. Attitude

• Trust • Trust

PROGRAMME

PROGRAMME

4. Power

PROGRAMME

BENCHMARKING BENCHMARKING

3. Loyalty

• Decision making • Decision making • Information processing • Information processing • Self-awareness • Self-awareness • Personal powers • / TRAINING Personal powers GROUP DIALOGUES • Excellence • Excellence

GROUP DIALOGUES GROUP DIALOGUES / TRAINING / TRAINING

5. Responsibility

• Thinking patterns • Thinking patterns • Communication • Communication • Motivation • Motivation

ON THE JOB • CONSULTATION Engagement • Engagement

6. Engagement

• Leadership • Leadership

ON THEON JOBTHE CONSULTATION JOB CONSULTATION

• Personal Values • Personal Values

7. Trust

• Personal Vision • Personal Vision • Personal Efficiency • Personal Efficiency

INDIVIDUAL COACHING 8. Openness

• Wheel of life • Wheel of life • Prioritisation • Prioritisation

INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL COACHING COACHING

• Effectiveness • Effectiveness • Conflict Management • Conflict Management

Copyright © 2015 Fusion Information Services (Pty) Ltd

Ltd vices (Pty) Ltd

Email: info@fusionis.co.za

Email:

info@fusionis.co.za Email: info@fusionis.co.zawww.fusionis.co.za www.fusionis.co.za info@fusionis.co.za www.fusionis.co.za

www.fusionis.co.za

• Roles • Responsibility • Trust • Decision making • Information processing • Self-awareness • Personal powers • Excellence • Thinking patterns • Communication • Motivation • Engagement • Leadership • Personal Values • Personal Vision • Personal Efficiency • Wheel of life • Prioritisation • Effectiveness • Conflict Management

O R A C L E

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MOBILE APPLICATIONS

“Companies must understand that their mobile apps now serve as one of the most important extensions of their business when it comes to engaging customers. They have become the new conduit between modern companies and the millennial generation, but this will only hold true if organisations can deliver something of value”

The pressure on groups like Oracle to subsequently monitor, analyse and then capitalise on these statistics is significant and has led to critical studies being carried out to forecast the future of mobile applications.

“Companies must understand that their mobile apps now serve as one of the most important extensions of their business when it comes to engaging customers. They have become the new conduit between modern companies and the millennial generation, but this will only hold true if organisations can deliver something of value,” adds the Vice President for Mobile Strategy and Product Management, Suhas Uliyar.

- Suhas Uliyar, Vice President for Mobile Strategy and Product Management

FINTECH GROUP

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intech has over the years acquired extensive experience in addressing Africa’s unique financial services technology challenges and has continued to provide and develop a broad range of innovative solutions and services, including world class custom developed software to meet the ever changing needs of our clients.

These solutions include; Core Banking (Flexcube UBS), Reconciliation, Sacco and MFI, Leasing, E-tax (Automated Tax Collection), Clearing and Settlement (Cheque Truncation), Electronic Delivery Channels (Mobile/Internet Banking, ATM & POS), CRB Reporting, Business Intelligence, CRM, ERP, Outsourced IT services, infrastructure, Unified Communications, Call Center, and Consultancy.

Fintech has partnered with world leading IT vendors, including Oracle, Oracle Financial Services Software, Broadridge, Interactive Intelligence, Imperva, Microsoft, and IBM.

PLEXADA SYSTEM INTEGRATORS LTD Plexada is an IT consultancy where we pursue big dreams.

The millennial generation

“The research reveals that nearly 55 percent of millennials say a poor mobile app experience would make them less likely to use a company’s products or services,” notes Sanni. “According to the global report, ‘Millennials and mobility: how businesses can tap into the app generation’, 39 percent of millennials would also be less likely to recommend a company’s products or services to others following a poor app experience, and 27 percent admit it would even give them a negative view of that organisation’s products or services altogether.”

Alienating the millennial generation, and consequently the key demographic for smartphones and tablet sales, is a risk certainly not worth taking, with the importance and saturation of mobile applications only set to increase further in the future.

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Today, Plexada is a tier one Oracle partner with a diversified portfolio. We accept the challenges that others prefer to avoid.

We are a creative company that grows continuously. Plexada employees personify our path to success. We help customers implement best-inclass Oracle solutions for operational excellence, and information management. Our deep experience in the portfolio of Oracle solutions address a range of customer needs including social relationship management, customer relationship management, data management, procurement and financials.

www.plexada-sl.com

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MOBILE APPLICATIONS For Oracle, this means that the extent of innovation and research must continue at an equally rapid rate: “There clearly remains much room for innovation when it comes to tablet apps, as well as apps for larger form phablets, and companies that answer the call will be well-placed to capitalise on a still maturing market,” the Company’s research revealed. “However, apps for smartphones and tablets should not be developed independently from each other.

“Many millennials own multiple connected devices, and businesses will need to deliver a consistent, high-quality app experience across all of these if they want to add value for their customers.”

Disruptive in the digital age

“Access, convenience and added-value are the primary requirements of the millennial generation, and a successful digital business will define itself and its services based on these principles” - Adebayo Sanni, Country Leader, Nigeria

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The key moving forward, therefore, is flexibility; to ensure that companies are not only meeting millennial customer demands now, but they are also developing a service that can be adaptable to future demands also.

“We are now in the age of the digital business; one in which mobile, social and the cloud have converged and put companies in a position to build themselves around a fully digital platform and better serve both their customers and employees,” Sanni says. “For millennials, mobile devices are at the very heart of how they interact with companies and with each other.

“Unless they can tap into how this generation actually uses these devices, then organisations will struggle to differentiate themselves in the era of allthings digital. For those that do get things right, the mobile opportunities are plentiful indeed.”

Optimising the cloud in meeting all requirements in the field seems the best way forward, in allowing devices already outside the firewall to access data both in the cloud and on-premise; subsequently enabling businesses to vary their resources and achieve that necessary flexibility.

Sanni concludes: “With their databases, applications, and platform services all tied together in this way, companies will ensure that relevant data and services are easily accessible to everyone that needs them – including customers, partners, and employees – whenever they need them.

“Access, convenience and added-value are the primary requirements of the millennial generation, and a successful digital business will define itself and its services based on these principles. Putting mobile first is crucial to this endeavour, and to being truly disruptive in the digital age.”

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FINEART TECHNOLOGIES … make IT Simple.

Fineart Technologies Zimbabwe (formerly SECSYS Technologies Zimbabwe) aim to rapidly establish itself as a leading technology provider with it’s de facto Service Delivery Platform and related value-added services designed to support mission critical solutions.

Our mission is to provide world-class state of the art solutions and 24/7 support to our customers.

To this end we provide a selection of the following products and services:• Oracle hardware and software installation and support • Service level agreements, help desk and database management • Telecommunications - GSM networks 3G, 4G, turnkey network design and implementation services

GLOBAL COMPUTING SOLUTIONS

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lobal Computing Solutions Plc (GCS) is a leading systems integrator, IT infrastructure service provider and an established player in the Ethiopian IT industry, providing a wide spectrum of technology solutions and services to a diverse customer base.

With more than two decades of rich experience in technology and enterprise IT infrastructure, GCS has successfully implemented, managed and consulted various companies on complex IT and critical business systems.

GCS represents more than 30 brands in value segments of the business and going forward, GCS plans to expand its services not only in Ethiopia but also into neighbouring countries across Africa.

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Gold Partner

Global Computing Solutions is an IT Infrastructure Services provider. Our solutions include;

FSD Partner

Delivering tomorrow’s IT solutions today Contact us info@gcsethiopia.com +251 115 513862 www.gcsethiopia.com

System Integration Network Implementations Enterprise implementations Applications integration End User Computing

Managed Services IT Service management Network Operations Center Security Operations Data Center Operations Cloud Operations

Building Automation Systems Structured Cabling Data Center Setup BAS

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BUILDING IT SKILLS & INNOVATION IN AFRICA

IT Promotes Social Inclusion

‘Today, IT holds the promise to promote social inclusion, combat corruption, expand the digital economy and enable stronger links between citizens and governments, businesses and customers, NGOs and the communities they serve’

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TODAY THERE is a new “third platform” for IT. The first platform emerged in the 90’s when workers had computing delivered to their desktop from a central mainframe. This client server technology made computing accessible to more people. The second platform was the internet age, where people and systems could communicate with each other all over the world.

The third platform is built on cloud computing, mobile computing and social media. All three of these elements can be easily consumed, and are being adopted at an unprecedented rate. Just like other platforms, highly technical skills are needed; these are skills with a strong foundation in math.

Oracle Africa is finding new ways to empower people to embrace and use the new third platform.

“Turning the skills gap into an opportunity requires a multi-stakeholder effort between government, the private sector and the technology industry. Training at various levels must be addressed; from helping to ensure existing employees have the skills they need to keep pace with the changing technologies, to supporting workforce development programmes and working with national education systems,” says Oracle Vice President Technology AFTA Cluster Leader and VP A&C ECEMEA, Janusz Naklicki. “We need to combine our efforts to build a vibrant and innovative skills pool in Africa that can help create a foundation for sustainable economic growth and a pipeline of innovative solutions.”

FALCORP TECHNOLOGIES

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alcorp Technologies is an ICT services and Solutions Company providing innovate solutions and services to public and private sector organisations in South Africa and Africa.

Falcorp’s solutions focus on 5 core technology areas including, digital and interactive, application services, SOA services, data management, and Oracle services.

Our end-to-end digital business and technology services encompass, digital marketing strategy, analytics, online services, online and mobile solutions, social media and mobile platforms.

T 011 805 6315 E info@falcorp.co.za

www.falcorp.co.za

ICT WORKS

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CT-Works is a business solution provider renowned for forging strategic partnerships with its clients, to achieve efficiencies in operations and productivity in the public and private sectors. Through world-class systems and technology, ICT-Works delivers sophisticated yet simple solutions to complex business problems.

As an Oracle Platinum Partner, we offer a comprehensive range of technology and valuable solutions including continuous improvement consulting services. We provide our clients with a “one-stopshop” for the full spectrum of possible business services.

ICT-Works is 100% black female-owned and is backed by a proven track record of delivering large projects.

Orla Ni Chorcora, Senior Director, Business Development Oracle ECE/MEA, with MTN Foundation Scholar and Oracle bursary recipient to CERN openlab Summer School 2015

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Johannesburg +27 11 234 7040 Cape Town +27 21 834 8400 E info@ict-works.co.za

www.ict-works.co.za

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Supplier Management Requisition Management Quotation Management Bid Management Contract Management Order Management Receipt Management Inventory Management Invoice Management Payment Management Asset Management Budget Management

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Our solution covers the full Supply Chain Management life-cycle for the Public Sector Built on the Oracle Platform and customised for the needs of each country on the continent, our solutions enable public sector managers across all tiers of government to manage all elements of the supply chain lifecycle easily and effectively.

Compliance

Reporting and Analysis

• PFMA, MFMA, PPPFA, SCOA • Cash, Accrual and Modified Cash

• Supply Chain Intelligence • Spend Analytics • Supplier Rotation • Business Intelligence

Governance • Visibility • Accountability • Auditability • Monitoring

Technology

Standardisation • Public Sector Supply Chain Management Business Processes • Centralised Master File: Suppliers, Employees, Items • Delegations and Segregations • Human Workflows • System Workflows Budgeting • Top-down, Bottom-up budgeting • Daily Cash Forecasting • Funds Reservation

• Integrated with Transversal Financial system (BAS) • Web-based Systems • Mobility • Application and Database Security • System Audit trails

Single source of information • Supplier Master • Item Master • Commodities • Employee Master

2015/03/30 2:33 PM

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BUILDING IT SKILLS & INNOVATION IN AFRICA BOHN INC

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ohn Inc, a trusted Information and Communication and Technology Strategic & Implementation Partner of choice to Public and Private Sectors in South Africa and surrounding countries through distinctive, unique and world class offerings.

Verticals: Education - Health - Security Financial Services - Telecoms - Transport – Media & Entertainment

Above: The Information Communication Technology Authority (ICTA) in Kenya signed a memorandum of understanding with Oracle to broaden the IT skills in the region

“We need to combine our efforts to build a vibrant and innovative skills pool in Africa that can help create a foundation for sustainable economic growth and a pipeline of innovative solutions”

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Addressing the skills gap

Oracle Africa is aiming to tackle the skills challenge from four perspectives: employee readiness, ecosystem readiness, workforce readiness and youth readiness. “The elements within these areas are tailored to meet the needs of each audience and also take into consideration the time to market, and help foster a pipeline of IT talent for the future,” explains Naklicki.

Today, IT holds the promise to promote social inclusion, combat corruption, expand the digital economy and enable stronger links between citizens and governments, businesses and customers, NGOs and the communities they serve. They can do this and at the same time dramatically reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Implemented in conjunction with government agencies such as Lagos State and Edo State in Nigeria, the Ministry of ICT and Education in Kenya, the Workforce Development Agency in Rwanda and the Ministry of Education in Ethiopia; the Oracle Africa engagement also incorporates collaboration with the private sector and organisations such as MTN Foundation Nigeria.

“Innovation hubs help support the acceleration of technology innovation, and are often the birthplace of the digital disruption we hear so much about.

Oracle Africa is working with a number of these hubs across the region to leverage Oracle product experts to engage the local tech community via

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Solutions • Information & Communications Technology (ICT) • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) • Platform as a Service (PaaS) • Software as a Service (SaaS) • Business as a Service (BaaS) • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) • B2B Cloud Computing Infrastructure • 360 Business Intelligence Platform •Data Security Solutions (Storage, Exchange and Recovery)

knowledge transfer sessions. We are pleased to be associated with a community of tech entrepreneurs whose creativity and energy are contributing to the creation of new and exciting African businesses,” says Naklicki.

Oracle Africa also has an internship programme designed for Information Systems and Business Science graduates. At the end of the internship, candidates can graduate armed with initial on-the-job experience. In FY 14, Oracle Africa retained many of the interns and the remainder had opportunities to seek employment in the Oracle partner ecosystem.

The recent collaborations referenced here are just examples of what Oracle Africa foresees to be a long-term commitment to growing and developing local talent to support Africa’s digital transformation.

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OR ACLE G old Par tner Bohn Inc, a leading information and Communication and Technology (ICT) Strategic Business Partner of choice to Public and Private Sectors through distinctive customer experience and world class coverged solutions.

ORACLE GIVING IN AFRICA One of the ways that Oracle helps to address the ICT skills challenge is by supporting nonprofit organisations that advance education - especially computer science education - as well as organisations that protect the environment, and enrich community life.

Akili Dada, Kenya serves as a leadership incubator, investing in high-achieving young African women from underprivileged backgrounds who are passionate about social change. Oracle’s funds scholarships for five underprivileged young women ages 13-20 in the Young Changemakers Programme, which provides mentoring and leadership training. Scholarships cover tuition, board, fees, supplies, and personal care items.

Strathmore University, Kenya is one of the country’s leading schools of business, finance, and information technology, where the Oracle Centre of Excellence provides training for lecturers and teachers.

Africa Cancer Foundation, Kenya helps prevent cancer and provides holistic solutions for African people affected by cancer, by mobilising resources, conducting research, and providing education to the public and to healthcare practitioners. Oracle funding has enabled the development of a web platform to improve access to cancer screenings, diagnosis, and treatment, and an SMS platform to target communities in rural areas.

WEEE Centre, Kenya addresses environmental and health hazards of increasing e-waste. Oracle funding supports the Centre’s public education programme, which explains the hazards of e-waste and how to properly dispose of it, provides youth entrepreneurship training in the responsible reclamation and sale of valuable materials, and increases the volume of e-waste processed at the Centre. iHub Limited, Kenya supports the local tech community by connecting people and supporting start-ups. Oracle funding has enabled the formation of a Java

Tel : +27(0)10 330 0350 Email : info@bohn-inc.co.za Web : www.bohn-inc.co.za

Users Group, delivery of Alice and Greenfoot workshops for children, and the creation of a showcase event for Java applications and solutions developed at the iHub. Riders for Health, Kenya and Nigeria delivers public health care services to rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa predictably, reliably, and cost effectively.

Oracle provides general operating support, including maintenance of a fleet of motorcycles and four-wheel-drive vehicles used to transport: medicine, vaccines, specimens/results and healthcare, workers who deliver care and conduct educational outreach and disease monitoring.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Rwanda protects and conserves gorillas and their habitats in Africa. Oracle funding supports daily tracking of gorillas and anti-poaching patrols. It has also enabled development of an iOS mobile application for data capture in the field and accurate transfer to the Fossey Fund’s new database in the Oracle Cloud.

Wecyclers, Nigeria helps low-income communities to capture value from waste and clean up their neighbourhoods through incentive-based recycling. Oracle funding supports general operating and the creation of recycling clubs at two schools, which educate 10,000 households on the importance of proper waste management annually.

Co-Creation Hub, Nigeria accelerates the application of social capital and technology for economic prosperity. Oracle funding supports the Geeks Club, an after-school computing club held weekly for secondary school students ages 13-18.

Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre, Nigeria educates, connects, and empowers women and girls through active engagement in technology training, mentoring, and career counselling. Oracle funding supports the Girls Technology Club, which engages 800 underserved girls from 20 high schools, plus alumnae of the two-week Girls Camp, and deepens their skills through programming classes, tech company excursions, career talks, and mentoring.

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CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT: UNIVERSITY OF DJIBOUTI

DJIBOUTI INVESTS TO BECOME EDUCATION LEADER ON HORN OF AFRICA

Dr Nabil Mohamed Ahmed Minister of Higher Education and Research

“This is the perfect platform upon which to build our continuing investment in the youth of this region, for whom world-class education is essential”

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ON THE 15 - 16 June this year, Djibouti will host the first Oracle Africa Higher Education Summit in the country, hosting delegates from much of West, Central Africa, the neighboring country Somalia, and composed of various ministers, university presidents and rectors to showcase on the experience of this small country with great vision.

The capacity building event has been geared towards less developed areas of the continent and, to achieve this goal, the University of Djibouti possessed the foresight to adopt Oracle’s PeopleSoft E-campus solution last year; a decision which acknowledges the Company’s reputation for simplifying IT, tailored to the needs of specific markets.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Higher Education, the University of Djibouti e-campus has been designed to help deliver tertiary education to students in countries on the horn of Africa, and was unveiled at a ceremony attended by the Djiboutian President, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh and students from the university.

Dr Nabil Mohamed Ahmed, Minister of Higher Education and Research, states that the PeopleSoft system would entrench global best practices in delivering and managing higher education. “This is the perfect platform upon which to build our continuing investment in the youth of this region, for whom world-class education is essential.”

He added that modern technology is a key requirement to advance education in Djibouti and beyond.

“The significance of this implementation lies in the vision of Djibouti’s President, who recognised that modern technology today is a vehicle for progress,” says Alfonso di Ianni, Oracle Senior Vice President, East

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Central Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“This implementation has proved that information technology is a very powerful transformational tool for business and government.”

The long-term goal of the university is to provide degree and post-graduate courses to students in surrounding countries, a service the university believes will be supported by the system.

Implementation was conducted jointly by Mahindra Satyam and Mega Bureautique, a Djibouti-based partner that assisted the University during the project and trained up a team of software engineers to provide support. Oracle provided both servers, storage (Oracle Sun X3-2), and software (PeopleSoft Campus, Oracle Database, Oracle WebLogic and Oracle WebCenter).

Principal of the university, Dr Djama Mohamed Hassan, comments that the software platform constitutes a complete university system delivering teaching, research and administrative management in line with international modern practices: “The University would not have had the skills to implement these processes manually, but the PeopleSoft system already has best practices built into the workflows.”

“Students, academic staff and administration can have a fluid, seamless engagement whether virtual or physical, thus allowing them to address student and academic needs dynamically,” he says.

The University of Djibouti today offers its more than 7,000 students 29 distinct educational channels comprising four faculties: Faculty of Letters, Languages and Social Sciences; Faculty of Law, Economics and Management; Faculty of Sciences; and the Institute of Technology.

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T: 070 63000200 080 87717505 E: sta@stanigeria.com www.stanigeria.com

» Fiber optic and LAN deployment » Deployment of secured networks » Hardware supplies and installation » General I.T. accessories and consumables » Fabrication of Angular Type Lightweight Telecom towers We deploy the best standard solutions to empower service providers’ infrastructure Offering a wide range of Oracle hardware and software products.

www.sistec.co.ao

SISTEC is a case study, integrating Information Systems and Communication, which provides services with high levels of quality, according to the best market practices, in order to increase the value chain of the performance of customers.

Working with important partners as ORACLE and others, merging new technology solutions with existing IT infrastructures, upgrading critical applications, or finding better ways to manage data storage. From strategy development through implementation and management, Sistec Professional Services offers an expert support for every major project phase.

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PARTNER ECOSYSTEM

Engaging, Insightful and Knowledgeable Specialisation

Stefan Diedericks Alliance and Channel Director, South Africa

“Oracle has listened to both its customers and partners in enhancing the Oracle PartnerNetwork programme over the past number of years...”

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MUCH OF Oracle’s success in Africa over the years can be attributed to its unparalleled network of partners, which has increased further still over the past two years.

Accounting for more than 40 percent of Oracle’s global revenue and 80 percent of its global transactions, the Partner Ecosystem that has subsequently been formed is now an integral facet in response to its equally diversifying and expanding customer base, as the Company’s Alliance and Channel Directors in South Africa, Stefan Diedericks and Africa, Donald Thomas explains.

Stefan Diedericks (SD) and Donald Thomas (DT): The Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) Programme offers customers a structured approach to differentiate the competencies and capabilities of partners called “Specialisation”.

Specialisation is preceded by a partner obtaining distribution/reseller rights for products within a knowledge zone and thereafter obtaining transactions and references within a given period.

The Programme was launched in 2009 in response to our customers becoming ever more diverse and to ensure customers can rely on a trustworthy programme that drives quality, engagement, skills and excellence.

the defined product or industry area, and able to work with them to develop and implement specific solutions.

Learn more about Oracle’s Specialisation Programme by visiting: http://www.oracle. com/partners/en/partner-with-oracle/getstarted/index.html#cw01step-3

AfO: What feedback has Oracle subsequently received regarding this system?

SD and DT: Oracle has listened to both its customers and partners in enhancing the Oracle PartnerNetwork Programme over the Africa Outlook (AfO): What benefits does past number of years by including incentive the partner ecosystem bring to based programmes that enable our partners customers? to drive their own growth. In addition, OPN SD and DT: OPN’s Specialisation Programme is offers a unique Solutions Catalogue that a trusted status and brand, which allows our showcases our partners based on unique most experienced and committed partners to competitive offerings utilising leading Oracle differentiate themselves in the marketplace Technology, but also gives the customer an and gain a competitive edge by spotlighting easy to use portal to find that ideal partner. their strengths and special skills. Specialised The OPN Solutions Catalogue can be found status provides customers with proof that at: http://www.oracle.com/us/partnerships/ they will be engaging with an insightful, solutions-catalog/specialized-partners/index. knowledgeable partner who is an expert in html

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AfO: How pivotal now is the partner ecosystem in attracting new business, given the extensive benefits it can provide?

SD and DT: The OPN Specialised Programme, status and brand forms a pivotal element in the way in which Oracle goes to market, identifying and highlighting those partners that have differentiated, evaluated and optimised solutions that have been certified and recognised to provide defined value for our customers.

The Programme allows a positive form of differentiation based on a partner’s unique competitive positioning and allows partners to carve out their own niche within the Oracle ecosystem which protects their investment, whilst it allows our customers

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the opportunity to know they’re dealing with a market leading organisation.

AfO: How do you foresee the partner ecosystem progressing further in the future and how does Oracle plan to innovate the process even more moving forward?

SD and DT: The OPN Specialised Programme is advancing and modernising its offerings in support of Oracle’s latest technologies within the cloud and software-as-a-service space and has also launched the Oracle Cloud Marketplace where customers can find thousands of cloud applications and services that extend Oracle’s world leading SaaS and PaaS stack.

“The OPN Specialised Programme is advancing and modernising its offerings in support of Oracle’s latest technologies within the cloud and software-as-aservice space...”

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DBAAS

Providing the Right Tools for Lower Operating Costs MOST COMPANIES have IT “spaghetti” when it comes to applications, and are seeking ways to consolidate them onto a more manageable platform. Customers wanting to move their infrastructure to a private cloud are seeking advice from their IT partners to find ways to further consolidate applications onto a shared infrastructure which they know will also decrease their hardware costs.

Donald Thomas Alliance and Channel Director

DBAAS PROVIDES a tremendous opportunity. By standardising and consolidating on a shared database and middleware platform for as many applications as possible, companies can dramatically increase cost savings and accelerate application development.

KEY CAPABILITIES OF DBAAS • Support for multiple databases efficiently sharing the underlying resources • Catalogue of standard database services to enable rapid, consistent deployment • Self-service to enable end users to rapidly provision, monitor, and manage databases • High degree of security and isolation between databases • Elasticity to support dynamic workloads

‘DBaaS provides a tremendous opportunity. By standardising and consolidating on a shared database and middleware platform for as many applications as possible, companies can dramatically increase cost savings and accelerate application development’ 46

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• Metering to enable chargeback or showback for cost recovery

COMPANIES CAN look to their local Oracle partner to help them: 1. STANDARDISE and consolidate at the database and middleware platform layer, even though some applications may require testing and updates to run on the standardised platform.

2. CONSOLIDATE at the infrastructure layer when it is not practical to standardise on a database and middleware platform. This approach requires a clear vision and solid roadmap.

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3. DEPLOY new projects on such a platform. They can be delivered quickly with measurable ROI, with the longer-term strategy to consolidate proceeding in parallel.

THIS ROUTE can deliver great business value. Organisations that have implemented DBaaS have seen 50 percent lower operating costs, 10 times faster deployment of new databases, and availability to improve to more than 99.95 percent.

ORACLE’S COMPLETE SOLUTION FOR DATABASE AS A SERVICE • Complete, out-of-the-box DBaaS solution: software, hardware and services; integrated and engineered to work together • High-consolidation efficiency and low total cost of ownership with Oracle Database 12c with multitenant architecture featuring pluggable databases and Oracle Exadata Database Machine and Oracle SuperCluster engineered systems • Rapid deployment and complete DBaaS lifecycle management with Oracle Enterprise Manager 12c • Standardised DBaaS supporting all database workloads

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BENEFITS TO CUSTOMERS • Self-service provisioning and management means that partners or customers can quickly and easily deploy new applications for the business • Standard service definitions allow customers to understand exactly what capabilities and service levels they should expect from the provider • Metering allows for greater transparency into utilisation and IT costs, allowing consumers to make more-informed decisions about where to spend their time and money

“OUR PARTNER eco system enables our partners to assist customers to maximise their IT investment and take full advantage of a private cloud. Oracle’s DBaaS solution provides a fast path to the cloud, giving them all the tools they need to quickly provision database services in the cloud, helping them to jumpstart their cloud efforts,” says Donald Thomas, Alliances and Channel Manager, African Operations.

FURTHER, BY focusing on a standardised and optimised platform, providers can also offer the possibility of opening up capacity to their consumers through improvements in procurement, capacity planning, and resource management.

“Oracle is 100 percent focused on ensuring that the benefits of DBaaS and Platform-as-a-Service goes beyond multitenancy, standardisation and costoptimisation and extends to including the Oracle Partner Network eco-system in reselling these products as part of their outsourced technology managed service contracts with their end customers which allows increased service value for our joint customers in using these latest technologies to transform their IT architecture” - Stefan Diedericks, Alliance and Channel Director, Oracle South Africa

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ORACLE’S SMART FUTURE

Smart Cities Make for Smarter Citizens In 2015, this forecast for the years to come embraces one of the most exciting tech developments the world over, and the significant role that Oracle will look to play in the advent of the smart city revolution

FOR THE best part of 40 years, Oracle has innovated and adapted its technological services and solutions in-keeping with the continuously evolving global parameters; ensuring it is both ahead of the curve on an international scale, and considerate of more specific, regional conditions and maturities on a local level.

In Africa, cloud adoption acceleration, the development of skills capacities, and an increased saturation of the market has been Oracle’s key drivers over the past 12 months but, as always, one eye is always fixed on what is to come in the future.

In 2015, this forecast for the years to come embraces one of the most exciting tech developments the world over, and the significant role that Oracle will look to play in the advent of the smart city revolution.

This is a hot topic in countries where many economies have shown dramatic growth in recent years. Sharply rising standards of living and increased social mobility have been marked by a demographic shift away from rural areas towards life in urban environment and cities. And associated massive investments in urban development have heightened the opportunity, and indeed the need to focus very sharply on how those cities are designed and built to become liveable urban environments.

Capitalising on the new model of using knowledge as the fundamental element of economic and social change – primarily through the portal of advanced technologies – is a development very much within Oracle’s skill set.

Retro-fitting

Older cities can enter the digital age through the modernisation of their operations, and Oracle has supported this trend with its Oracle Smart City Platform, an integrated set of powerful IT solutions that bring city governance into that aforementioned digital age.

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City operations can now be modernised with advanced back-office systems that make day-to-day operations more efficient and cost effective. Old, isolated legacy systems can be replaced by a harmonised set of processes and applications that are simpler to maintain and update.

That paves the way for collaboration between different city departments and services as their IT systems can now talk to each other and share data more easily. And the integration of arrays of smart sensors within the city infrastructure adds to the capabilities of city governance to better understand usage of key systems such as power and water utilities, and traffic and public transport patterns.

With all these systems in place, cities can now become truly smart with analytic systems that can provide key insights into city operation for more effective planning.

These smarter, more open systems within

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for smarter citizens.

For example, when alerts are sent out about transportation delays, people can react in a smarter way and find alternative routes.

In turn they can also push out the information to their own communities so more people can become smarter.

Going one step further, the community can even be brought into the planning phase, asking people about their opinions for planning changes and next steps for city development. Citizens are no longer just endusers but begin-users; becoming involved in planning and design, as the city benefits from their imagination in a way not possible with purely centralised decision-making.

Equipped for the future

city governance have an inevitable knock-on effect on making the businesses within these cities equally smart, and laying the foundations for enhanced entrepreneurship and flexibility across a range of industrial sectors.

Smarter citizens

Filtering down the value chain even further and Oracle’s Smart City Platform is also set to directly impact the lives of individuals as they become more exposed to advanced technologies and - especially within regions more in need of development - are able to capitalise on digital opportunities previously unthinkable to them.

When local governments open up their data to their citizens, people can make better decisions based on information that’s relevant to them, such as when to use a certain traffic route, where to find a parking space, and how to best regulate their use of electricity to save money. Smart cities make

As is the case in everything that Oracle does, this Smart City Platform provides a digital arena that will no doubt play a key role in bringing data, people, and resources together.

Iemke Idsingh, responsible for Smart City activities at Oracle, emphasises: “A sentient city infrastructure helps cities to almost literally sense, listen, hear, and action upon what is happening in the city. Connectivity and closed loops are key to that end.

“With the Oracle Smart City Platform, cities can establish a city-wide nervous system, enabling the citizens and the city to share responsibilities while offering maximum control at the lowest level in the community.”

Service optimisation, process harmonisation, and legacy modernisation prepares the city to move to the next level.

Open standards link businesses back to cities, the Internet of Things enables closed loop feedback, and social networks allow citizens to engage with their cities as well as each other; all leading to open and connected smart and imaginative cities, with smarter citizens that are better equipped to move ahead into the future.

Oracle’s Smart City Platform Solution Empowering Citizens.

Engaging Business.

Connecting Departments.

Provides a modular solution set for transformation, including technologies and applications that consolidate IT infrastructures, support current and future systems, and improve service delivery

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A Bold New

Digital World

Lonestar Cell MTN is enriching lives in Liberia as it leverages one of the continent’s leading names in telecoms to meet the demands of its subscribers and the needs of the country Writer: Matthew Staff • Project Manager: Donovan Smith

s a member of the MTN Group in Africa, Lonestar is successfully leveraging the prominent brand name in Liberia to enrich lives across the length and breadth of the country.

Lonestar Cell began commercial operations in 2001 with Lonestar Cell MTN becoming the new brand name six years later following the acquisition of its mother company, Investcom LLC by MTN Group. The subsequent Lonestar Cell MTN Company became the first operator within Liberia offering GSM services; a pioneering position which the business has maintained over its 14 years of technological evolution.

Entering the 2G domain before

evolving further still into 3G, Lonestar has remained market leader throughout, enhancing and expanding its network infrastructure across the country in the process, as subscriber numbers surpassed one million people.

Now, with 1.3 million subscribers, and more than half of the market share, the Company is as driven as ever to saturate the entire country with its unrivalled standard of services.

“We don’t yet cover 100 percent of the country but we are getting close,” Lonestar’s Chief Executive Officer, Babatunde Osho says. “We have evolved over the years from GSM 2G and now into 3G, developing our network into all counties within the country.

“We have also evolved our services

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The Company has invested heavily in customer services

from basic voice and SMS in the early days to a whole host of value-added services including music and a lot of other applications and advance data and IP services.”

Investing large amounts into necessary IT infrastructures to support such developments in previously unexposed regions of Liberia has been another pivotal facet of Lonestar’s success, staying true to its overall dedication to improving the general way of life for people in the country.

“I think our differentiator is that we are committed to the whole country and we know how to manage risk,” Osho continues. “We take a long-term view of all our markets so we can make our subscribers’ lives richer in the longterm by offering innovative services at great value for money.

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I think our differentiator is that we are committed to the whole country and we know how to manage risk

Prestige Motor Corporation P

restige Motor Corporation (PMC) was setup in 1997 with the aim of becoming a major player in the automotive industry. Liberia’s growing market provides a huge opportunity with an expanding consumer base for vehicle sales.

With this in mind, in 2008, PMC negotiated and signed a dealership agreement with Ford Motor Company to become the sole dealer in Liberia, subsequently locating itself on the main boulevard which connects the Free Port of Monrovia with the capital city.In 2009, PMC became the exclusive dealer of the complete range of Ford vehicles in Liberia.

PMC initially only offered the Ford Rangerand Everest to its customers, but has since expanded its product range to include a diverse line-up of Ford vehicles such as the Explorer, Escape, Transit,Fiesta, Fusion, Figo, EcoSport, Edge and Expedition. In confirming its commitment to growth on the continent, Ford has also brought the Mustang to subSaharan Africa. Further to this the dealership will introduce the new Ranger and new Figo in 2015, with the new Everest and Explorer due in 2016.

The dealership’s showroom, workshop and parts department are operated by a team of well trained professionals. Each specialising in their respective fields, managed by an expert team of expatriates, employees undergo yearly training programs in and outside of the country.

As a company, PMC’s relationship with Ford has made it possible for the dealership to

focus on what the consumers want and value by offering vehicles with innovative and smart technologies, stylish design, fuel efficiency, safety, service and maintenance excellence.

Ford works hard to translate consumer needs into engineering characteristics for the product and addresses consumer trends in order to continuously improve.

The majority of Ford vehicles in Liberia come standard with SYNC, Ford’s in-car connectivity system aimed at helping motorists to stay connected. The system recognises up to 150 voice commands, with no training required, and allows drivers to use natural language to dictate phone numbers, browse phone books, music and more. SYNC shows strides in in-car entertainment for Ford, although it has always endeavoured to include modern technologies that offer consumers the option to allow their cars to become a part of their digital lives.

EcoBoost continues to deliver on Ford’s promise to offer class leading fuel economy across Liberia. PMC offers astandard warranty of three years or 60,000km on all Ford vehicles. The dealership prides itself in providing excellent customer service and an effective after sales offering to its customers.

T +231 (0) 888 777770 (Info) +231 (0) 887 777771 (Reception) +231 (0) 887 777774 (Sales) E prestige@haddadgroup-intl.com

www.prestigemotorcorporation.org

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TECHNOTECH INC

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ECHNOTECH INC sets itself apart from other generator set & electrical materials dealers is by having complete dedication to customer satisfaction. We have made it our mission to ensure customer delight.

• Serving our customers throughout Liberia & Sierra Leone, with around 60 employees, deployed in our branches.

• Whether you are looking for generators, automatic transfer switches, paralleling switchgear, generators for rent or a complete integrated power generation system, finding the best power solution takes a relationship with someone who understands your challenges the way we do.

• After Sales Services include:

“Through this, we also make sure we are getting returns for our shareholders as well, but the most important thing is the investments we are making and the services being offered to show how important this country is to MTN.”

Expanding the network

Lonestar’s primary aim to this end is to cover 100 percent of the country through the additions it continuously makes to the network, ensuring that the services encompassed within this expansion are being modernised along the way.

Over the past 14 years in line with this strategy, Lonestar has often been the first to form a presence in numerous towns and villages, building its reputation and notoriety in the process by bringing people closer to friends and family via the communication services being launched.

“A lot of the time we are pioneering in these counties, so quite often we

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- Installation and commissioning - On-site support for properly operating and handling the machines according to the manufacturer’s recommendations

Through this, we also make sure we are getting returns for our shareholders as well, but the most important thing is the investments we are making and the services being offered to show how important this country is to MTN

- Preventive Maintenance Contracts - 24/7 emergency call-out support for repair and overhauling.

- Guaranteed Genuine parts availability.

• In addition, we are specialist in Electrical Materials supply, and Electrical Contractors, Providing Reliable Products, with Affordable prices. Our products range includes Cables, And Wires, Wiring Devices, UPS, Control Panels, Earthing Materials and Lighting arrestors. ….

Liberia: +231-886-999111 +231-555-999110 Sierra Leone : +232- 79-333336 +232-79-333336 E hamdounrabih@yahoo.com

ONE SOURCE

THOUSANDS OF ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL SOLUTIONS.

LIBERIA: +231-886-999111 +231-555-999110

Major supplier of Electro-Mechanical Products Our services include; Generator sets from 2 to 2,200Kva, Mobile Lighting Towers, Genuine Spare parts, After sales service, Welding machines, Water Pumps, Electrical cables, breakers, contactors, switches, sockets, conduits, lighting, ear thing materials, Lighting arrestors.

Our comprehensive services range from servicing and maintaining to repairing and completely overhauling the generating sets according to the manufacturer’s standards, in addition to sales of spare parts, warranty services and after-sales technical support.

TECHNTOECH currently houses the biggest maintenance center in the country, providing 24-hrs. high-standard after sales services to all of its customers.

TECHNOTECH IS AN AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR OF A WIDE VARIETY OF UNIVERSAL BRANDS

SIERRA LEONE: +232-79-333336 +232-44-333336

Trusted by a number of significant contractors, construction & mining companies, mobile companies as well as local Manufacturers.

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FORTUNE SHIP About FortuneShip and its location FortuneShip, one of leading top 10 handset manufacturers in China, was established in 2010. Through our dedication to innovation, FortuneShip has enjoyed a constant and rapid growth and spread its business across the world. With its headquarters in Shenzhen, FortuneShip now have four R&D centers, three manufacturing factories, with more than 8,000 staff, US$1.45 billion revenue and total annual production output of more than 40 million units.

Aiming to continuously provide its consumers with high quality and costeffective smartphones, FortuneShip has been working closely with top partners across various industries like Qualcomm, Mediatek, Spreadtrum, Corning and Google, and partnerships with 95% of overseas Top 1 local brands and 30% of network operators.

Lonestar Cell MTN headquarters, Congo Town

also offer a lot of education so that our subscribers are able to get their first handset and make their first calls on the mobile network,” Osho explains.

“As we have grown, this same process has been applied to services like 3G as we continue to be efficient within our network and as flexible with our services as possible.”

Each and every year a rigorous capital investment plan is put into motion to help facilitate its external broadening, ensuring that internal procedures and systems are equally advanced enough to cope with the developments.

Osho adds: “We have to serve our customers across the length and breadth of the country so we need to expand our network across that same area too. This means that we also have to invest a lot into the systems and facilities that support our operations and even into the fleets that move all our goods; all for the end benefit of our subscribers.”

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Cooperation with MTN Group

We have to serve our customers across the length and breadth of the country so we need to expand our network across that same area too

Africa is a potential market with great opportunity and growth. Fortune Ship is making great effort to meet the growing needs of African market. MTN Group is a Top 1 network operator in Africa, and as strategic partners, FortuneShip and MTN started close cooperation in 2012.

As a key handset supplier to MTN, Fortune Ship had lunched more than 10 different handset models to MTN with total volume of more than 5million units to the different MTN markets.

Models range from 1.8inch Ultra Low cost handsets (ULCH) to 6.0inch LTE smartphones.

T 0086-13480938466 E Kelly@fortuneship.com

www.fortuneship.com

One of leading Continuously providing our consumers with high quality and cost-effective smartphones

TOP 10 handset

manufacturers in China

W E H AV E B U S I N E S S PA R T E N E R S I N O V E R 5 0 CO U N T R I E S A R O U N D T H E W O R L D

For any enquiries on Fortuneship products please contact Kelly Lin via Email Kelly@fortuneship.com / Mobile number: 0086-13480938466 Office address: 6th. Floor, Kingson Building, New Energy Innovation Industrial Park, No.1 ChuangSheng Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, P.R.China

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MTN culture

Having the financial backing and the market knowledge to achieve such vast and significant growth stems largely from having the MTN name as an influence.

While each market is treated for its individual merits and challenges, the sharing of expertise, market analysis and supply chain relationships is critical for each of the MTN arms spread across the continent, and Liberia is certainly no different.

“Making lives richer is key to everything we do so we are always looking at the way our customers work and play and what we can do to make their lives better,” Osho says. “This means looking at every service and how we can best support them with each, and this is something that being part of MTN allows us to do.

ADI CONTRACTORS

Making lives richer is key to everything we do so we are always looking at the way our customers work and play and what we can do to make their lives better

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DI CONTRACTORS combines professionals with diverse backgrounds of experience, offering services with competence in a rapidly expanding business world. It is recognized that the complexity of many of today’s problems necessitates that human and financial resources of the corporation be closely interrelated and coordinated to yield maximum productivity and return.

General construction services ranges from low cost to high structures, renovation/refurbishment & maintenance, commercial/industrial complex. We have experienced professionals with a high sense of duty and direction providing services in: Civil Engineering, (Masonry, Concrete and Structural Works, Wood Technology, P.o.p. Designs and Electrical Engineering (General wiring of residential, commercial and industrial structures, generator installation/maintenance, solar technology and electronic services), Electromechanical (General welding, constructions of steel tanks, steel gates, steel spiral staircase etc.).

At ADI, our mission focuses on people.

The people who hire us to do the job.

The people who work in, live in, and enjoy our creations. These are our customers. And we’ve been exceeding our customers’ expectations for over 20 years. Tailoring solutions to fit their needs. Managing the construction process in an efficient, quality-conscious, cost-effective way. Every bolt and beam—every decision on and off the site is an opportunity to maximize value for the customer.

Our prime customers are Lone Star Cell MTN, Total Liberia, World Bank Liberia Country Office, Central Bank of Liberia, G T Bank Liberia, Global Bank Liberia, Eco bank Liberia, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) US Embassy Liberia and Ministry of Public Work.

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www.adicontractors.com

✓ Civil construction works (General / Industrial) ✓ Road Construction (Design and Construction) ✓ Providing Exceptional Finishes ✓ Refurbishment & Renovation works ✓ Facility management & maintenance ✓ Security surveillance system & security doors ADI constructs and renovates all types of buildings: corporate headquarters, research and development complexes, educational campuses, healthcare facilities, hotels / conference centers, multi-family residential developments, retail malls and lifestyle centers, government buildings, correctional facilities, senior housing, and structured parking facilities.

> > > >

> > > >

ENGINEERS ARCHITECTS SKILL TECHNICIANS GENERAL BUILDERS

ALL PREPARED TO DELIVER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.

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RAZZOUK BROTHERS

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azzouk Brothers has been established since 1969. They are the leading importers and

distributors of Consumer Electronics, Home Appliances, Home and Office Furniture, and IT & Networking Equipment as well as FMCG products.

The iconic company has been operating in both wholesale and retail for the better part of half a century which revolves around a dynamic team that evolves with the market demands.

T +231-886-51 61 51 E sales@razzoukbros.com

www.razzoukbros.com

MTN’s brand name helps to form international partnerships

“The MTN name also helps in forming multinational partnerships as well, leveraging the Group’s supply chain to ensure we get the best technologies into the country, while saving energy and being efficient on our side as well.”

While this inevitably provides cost advantages too, the affiliation with MTN as a whole has been essential in supporting its systems and subsequently providing a service to Liberia worthy of its market-leading standing.

“There is a whole lot of best practice that we share among the MTN operations, so we get to understand how customers might respond to services based on what has happened in other countries,” Osho continues.

“All the markets are different but we can still learn about where things are headed.

“A culture of best practice and sharing is something we take very seriously and is important as part of our culture here at Lonestar.”

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BEEVER COMPANY INC

There is a whole lot of best practice that we share among the MTN operations, so we get to understand how customers might respond to services based on what has happened in other countries

• Beever Company Inc. is a leader in the distribution and sales of quality equipment and heavy duty tools for various industries in Liberia.

It provides a diverse range of heavy duty products such as diesel generators, logging machineries, power tools, lubricants, marine watercrafts, and other various electrical supplies.

• Beever Communications Inc. (a sister company) is a megastore that consists of electronics and office equipment in Liberia. its showroom displays a wide range of electronic products as well as a diverse collection of office furniture, safes, and filing cabinets T +231-886-511112 E info@beever.com

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COMPUTERS

NETWORKING EQUIPMENT

HYGIENE GOODS

FOOD PRODUCTS

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LOYALTY: maintaining long lasting & continuous relationships with our suppliers

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS FURNITURE

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IMPORT & DISTRIBUTION

PRINTERS & IMAGING

HOME APPLIANCES

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COLEMAN OUTDOORS

CORE SERVICES CONSUMER ELECTRONICS

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GENERAL TRADING

Branch office in Beirut, Lebanon

HOME APPLIANCES

Headquartered in Monrovia, Liberia with offices throughout the country in Claratown, Freeport, and Congotown HOME & OFFICE FURNITURE

NETWORK EQUIPMENT

1969 - 2 people 2014 - 66 people

WWW.RAZZOUKBROS.COM | facebook.com/sharpshowroom | +231 886 51 61 51 | +231 555 77 77 74 SOME OF OUR MAJOR BRANDS ACROSS THE MANY INDUSTRIES THAT WE SERVE

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Commitment to Liberia

This culture also comprises a concerted understanding of industry and consumer trends specific to the Liberian population, which has often been conducted during challenging and tumultuous times within the country over the past 14 years.

The recent outbreak of Ebola is one such example to have impacted Liberia in more recent times, but rather than shutting down and remaining passive, Lonestar again demonstrated its commitment to the public at large by directly involving itself in the relief effort.

“It was a general industry effort during Ebola whereby we all stayed and continued to provide our services, and we also supported the many NGOs coming into the country to help combat the epidemic,” Osho recalls.

“We supported them and gave them intelligent data so they could map where it was spreading, so they could

PROSECOM

It was a general industry effort during Ebola whereby we all stayed and continued to provide our services, and we also supported the many NGOs coming into the country to help combat the epidemic

P

ROSECOM grew out of the need for the protection of companies’ vital installations and assets throughout Liberia.

As a top-of-the-line private security company, with our well-trained and equipped officers, we ensure that our client’s facilities are protected to the teeth. However if there arises a situation beyond PROSECOM’s ability (which rarely happens), wherein our client suffers a loss, our insurers jump in and remedy the situation by absorbing any and all such loss or losses.

In any and all cases our client gains.

T +231 8868 83388 +231 8869 93399 E prosecom.security@gmail.com anyemabruce@yahoo.com

GLOBAL LOGISTICS SERVICES

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LS Incorporated is a fully integrated and the leading Liberian owned logistics company, providing quality logistics solutions to both local and foreign clients since 2011. Our Clients operate in such industries as Telecoms (MTNLonestarCell), Mining Services, Oil & Gas, Construction, Agro, etc.

Our values are centred on the Six Ps; People, Passion, Performance, Professionalism, Promise and Profitability. As a member of the Panalpina Global Network, we have achieved a CAGR of 400% YoY since inception and are valued at over USD$11M. We are part-owned by the IFCcreated West African Venture Fund.

T +231-880948409 E info@glsbusiness.com

www.glsbusiness.com

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Guard Services Securing Premises Criminal/Private Investigation Personal Bodyguard & Vip Services Securing Liberia since 2000

Uniform & Accessories Training

All We Do Is Security So We Do It Right

Prosecom

C onf idence & Reliability

Telephone: 0886883388 | 0886993399 | 0555514204 Email: prosecom.security@gmail.com | anyemabruce@yahoo.com Suite 1 LUBI Building, Randall & Broad Streets, Monrovia, Liberia

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A combination of MTN’s employer of choice status and investment in training, means that the company’s skills deficit is now manageable

quickly deploy across the country and utilise the data in the necessary areas.

“We have been through ups and downs over the years but always remain committed to this country.”

Lonestar Cell MTN’s commitment was recognised by the government of Liberia in 2013 as the leading tax payer in the country. This, in addition to its corporate social responsibility campaigns further demonstrates the Company’s levels of commitment and reliability.

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We have been through ups and downs over the years but always remain committed to this country

No more is this commitment evident than in the Company’s employment strategy, which has been formed to address another longstanding challenge within Liberia.

Skills shortages continue to cause issues for companies in the tech domain, but the combination of MTN’s employer of choice status, and its willingness to invest in the required training, means that the challenge is now a manageable one.

“It is very difficult to find skills but

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SERVICES • COMMUNICATION TOWER ERECTION • CIVIL WORK • GROUNDING OF EQUIPMENT & COMMUNICATION TOWERS • BUILDING CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION • INSTALLATION OF COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENTS ON TOWERS • ELECTRICITY

TECHNOLOGY IS OUR GOAL

CLIENTS • LONESTARCELL MTN • GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA • UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN LIBERIA • UNITED STATES EMBASSY LIBERIA • ACTION AID LIBERIA • GT BANK LIBERIA • SENATE PRO TEMP ARMAH JALLAH-LIBERIA

MILTON ROBINSON & SONS INC PAYNESVILLE CITY, JACOB TOWN, SOMALIA DRIVE, MONROVIA, LIBERIA, WEST AFRICA

T: (231) 886-563-144/231-880-951-426 E: miltonrobinson4@gmail.com

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the MTN brand names helps to attract the best talent, both in Liberia and for Liberians looking to return home from other countries,” Osho notes. “We also have the opportunity to bring in talented and skilled people from other MTN operations to help develop the local talent that we have here in Liberia.”

It is very difficult to find skills but the MTN brand names helps to attract the best talent, both in Liberia and for Liberians looking to return home from other countries

Lonestar, as a result of its efforts in this area, has been accredited by the Investor in People (IiP) for its management of staff and the training and engagement that employees within the Company enjoy.

This has proven especially important given the fast-moving nature of the telecoms industry in Liberia with new services and technologies introduced almost on a yearly basis, and the knowledge required from the labour force having to develop parallel to these developments.

Once again though, Lonestar’s sustainable and collaborative approach to its people has alleviated these pressures and turned them into a differentiator within the market.

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The Company is dedicated to CSR projects in local communities throughout Liberia

Lonestar brings in talented and skilled people from other MTN operations

Superior quality

Extending the ethos of care even further, Lonestar’s dedication to corporate social responsibility has proven similarly significant over the years as it continues to find more ways to give back to the communities

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it operates within; whether that is through the core services it offers, or its Foundation’s work focusing on areas of education and health in the local regions.

Osho says: “We always make sure we are part of the community in which

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we operate by not only making money but also by putting money back into the areas we do business.

“This is something that MTN has always taken very seriously, and fits into our strategy of enriching the lives of our subscribers as well.”

The market analysis and research that goes into this latter facet incorporates a full understanding once again of what customers want now and what they will want moving forward, accompanied by stringent piloting of new services to assess which applications and services customers will be comfortable using.

In the immediate term, this relates to the 3G services that are slowly but surely etching their way into Liberia’s routine network, while the long-term plan includes an inevitable progression towards LTE provision once the market and subscribers are ready to embrace the most modern of data and valueadded products.

“We will sometimes have to educate our subscribers so that they can see the full benefits of the services we are unveiling to the market place, but our subscriber base will also grow far more than it is now,” Osho concludes.

“Looking to the future, I expect us to keep our leading market share as we launch the LTE network while also improving our connectivity in terms of transmission, connecting cities with much more fibre than is being used in Liberia at the moment; all combining to offer a far superior quality service than we can offer even today.”

Libra Sanitation

“Sanitation is Dignity”

Libra Sanitation, Inc. is one of Liberia’s largest full-service, solid waste management companies, providing non-hazardous solid waste collection, low-scale recycling, water delivery, land scaling and landfill disposal services to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. We pride ourselves on our community involvement, environmental awareness and a very strong commitment to personalized and friendly customer service.

TEL: 231886511921 / 231776511921 / 231886492394 / 231886438172 EMAIL: librasanitationliberia@yahoo.com / mstephenk@yahoo.com / howegeorge@yahoo.com

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L E S O T H O

ince launching in 1996 with just one telecom tower, Vodacom Lesotho has emerged 19 years later as the market leader in mobile communication services, with an 80 percent market share.

As the wider Vodacom Group’s first business venture outside of South

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Africa, Vodacom Lesotho has spent two decades deeply rooting itself into the country, initially inviting the Government of Lesotho to become a shareholder prior to its privatisation in 1999, followed by a 12 percent local shareholding - which later grew to 20 percent- awarded to Sekha-Metsi Consortium after this date.

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Early investment in a solid distribution network has enabled the Company to reach 94 percent of the population, which also helped to drive mobile penetration in Lesotho to more than 84 percent in 2015.

Diversifying its revenue stream to better focus on the customer’s changing needs and embrace the data

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Beyond

Telephony Vodacom Lesotho is keen to build a reputation as a fully-fledged services Company with solutions that leverage the evolution of data and the Internet of Things (IoT) in order to cater for changing customer needs Writer: Emily Jarvis • Project Manager: Donovan Smith

revolution has resulted in the Company securing an impressive 1.3 million subscribers across a population of more than two million people.

Vodacom Lesotho is majorityowned by Vodacom Group Limited (80 percent), and Sekhametsi consortium owns the remaining 20 percent of the Company.

Infrastructure backbone

The need for services beyond voice and SMS on the African continent - and indeed the world - are being dictated by the increased consumption of data services and the additional inclusive applications that internet access brings. Therefore, in the past two years, Vodacom Lesotho has been

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investing in ways to differentiate itself in order to diversify its data offering and place customers at the heart of its investments as part of a long-term strategic focus; starting with the relevant investments in the network’s infrastructure backbone.

In 2013, the Company reinvested more than M150 million into its network infrastructure, representing just under half of its operating profit at the time; which was followed by a further M170 million in 2014. “These investments resulted in Lesotho becoming the first in the Vodacom Group to have 3G available at all sites where 2G is available, and the first within the Group to launch LTE services. This huge investment drive formed part of our core strategy and was designed to ensure that we can deliver on the promise we have made to our customers, putting the power of the internet in their hands and making communication services available to them at much lower cost,” says Vodacom Lesotho’s Acting Managing Director, Johnny Dos Santos.

Now equipped with more than 250 2G and 3G-enabled towers – with a growing number of LTE enabled sites in all districts – the Company

STATS Approximately 202 permanent employees, including the 75 added over the past two years 150 contractors in the outsourced call centre and retail environment 5,700 appointed airtime resellers 3,378 M-Pesa agents and merchants

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About the Group Vodacom Group Limited (Vodacom) is an African mobile communications company providing voice, messaging, data and converged services to more than 61 million customers.

From its roots in South Africa, Vodacom has grown its operations to include networks in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and Lesotho and provides business services to customers in more than 40 African countries

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Due to the uptake of data services and our investments in an improved network, Lesotho has seen the price of communication drop by 60 percent in past two years...

has invested a total of R1.2 billion into the entire network, including investments in microwave and transmission backhaul, towers and the network, and a world-class Tier 1 data centre which has just received a crucial upgrade. These network upgrades were completed with the assistance of local suppliers where possible, or through Group partner channels in neighbouring South Africa.

“Due to the uptake of data services and our investments in an improved network, Lesotho has seen the price of communication drop by 60 percent in the past two years, extending the reach of mobile

Our product suite: AIRTIME ADVANCE

Airvantage is the pre-eminent innovator of value added services to the telecommunication industry in emerging markets.

We are dedicated to developing and delivering the best, most innovative solutions that will grow our clients’ businesses, enhance their brands, and positively contribute to the total customer experience and increase in revenue per user.

MOBILE MONEY LENDING MOBILE MARKETING SPORTS BETTING & LOTTERY PROMOTIONS

We offer a suite of products that add value and change subscriber’s lives including: airtime, data, content and mobile money lending, mobile marketing solutions, sports betting and lottery, content and mega promotions.

Our flagship product is prepaid airtime and mobile money lending solutions to telecom operators. It gives telcos the ability to advance airtime, content, data and mobile money to subscribers on credit. Through our many years’ experience in the telecommunications and credit industries, we have developed a proprietary profiling and dynamic rules engine that allows for flexible lending, avoids revenue losses and ensures on going customer loyalty while increasing revenues.

We have a deep understanding of customer behaviour and can offer a tailor made credit solution to meet the requirements of any customer base.

As a service provider to Vodacom Lesotho for many years, we have developed innovative solutions to add value to Vodacom Lesotho by increasing revenue per user, decreasing churn and enhancing the overall customer experience.

Please contact us for more information: Website: www.airvantage.co.za | Email: info@airvantage.co.za

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telephony services to a wider portion of the population through the creation of even better value,� he details.

Further continuing its improvement of the network and introducing world-class and innovative services to Lesotho, this year, Vodacom is undertaking a key development partnership with the Lesotho Electricity Corporation that will greatly help transmission capacity, helping the organisation to get closer to customers via the deployment of fibre to the business, while also removing other potential challenges or stresses that the predicted increased data usage could put on the network.

Customer engagement

As well as investing in a strong infrastructure and value proposition, Vodacom Lesotho also launched the M-Pesa service in 2013, which has seen one of the fastest uptakes of the five African markets where the product has been launched. He explains: “11 percent of our active user base is currently using this service, which is a huge achievement considering that less than half (38 percent) of the adult population has some form of a bank account, compared to some African nations where financial inclusion is much higher.�

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We are also looking at products and solutions in the insurance and healthcare sectors to further enhance our mobile money offering

Vodacom Lesotho implements the Business Logic Systems blueprint for effective Customer Value Management Vodacom Lesotho chose Business Logic Systems (BLS) as its Customer Value Management (CVM) partner in a 2-year Technology and Services Programme in 2012.

The project was split into a set of phased, prioritised deliverables for both the technology and the services components. This ensured a pragmatic approach in which key revenue-generating software and components were delivered in the early phases of the programme.

Vodacom Lesotho recognised early on that technology was only part of the solution. A data-driven marketing strategy also requires new skills to complement the technology, as well as a fundamental rethink on how to plan, shape and drive the communication with the subscriber base to drive incremental value.

BLS was requested to provide these skills under a Managed Services Programme.

Once the core platform was up and running, a short diagnostic project revealed the underlying dynamics of the subscriber base from which areas of opportunity were identified for targeted campaigns. The led into the

Managed Services Programme which involved a mixture of onsite and remote resources to work closely with the Vodacom team to plan and deliver the portfolio of campaigns.

Under the commercial objective of driving incremental revenue as early in the project as possible, we focused our activity on Up-selling and Cross-selling campaigns using the existing Vodacom Lesotho product portfolio. A governance framework was also implemented with the local team. An essential component was weekly cycles of activity – designing and testing new ideas that could be targeted to micro segments of the subscriber base. All the campaigns were also evaluated for their true incremental value by comparing the results to both universal and campaign level control groups. As part of our governance framework, results were independently verified by the Vodacom Lesotho commercial and finance teams.

According to Motlalepula Ramaisa, Executive Head of the Consumer division at Vodacom Lesotho, by using the BLS software and service, “Vodacom Lesotho generated significant net incremental revenue and could demonstrate sustained increases in subscriber activity levels to reduce prepaid churn”

T E C H N O LO GY Phase 1 CMS installation on virtualised H/W

Phase 2 CMS Installation on procured production H/W

Phase 3 System (Loyalty points scheme) installed

24 MONTH PROGRAMME

CVM Diagnostic Customer base, opportunity and risk analysis

Full CVM Managed Service Weekly campaign refresh cycle based on KPI Analysis, products portfolio, market opportunities and campaign test performance

C O N S U LTAN CY

A PORTFOLIO OF CAMPAIGNS FOCUSED ON THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE SUBSCRIBER LIFECYCLE

GET • Recommend a friend • Trgeted acquisition prospect lists

WELCOME • Introduction to key products & services • Introduction to selfservice

WIN BACK • Reactivation campaigns for dormant prepay • Targeted win back for ports out

RETAIN • Churn management • Retention optimisation

www.businesslogicsystems.com Tel: +44 (0) 1635 887 963 Email: info@businesslogic.co.uk

UP-SELL • Targeted stretch offers • Service bundles

LOYALTY • Continious opt-in permission based push & pull market

CROSS-SELL • Trials for new products & services

ADVOCASY • Social influencers • Product champoins

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TVS TELECOM

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VS Telecom is an engineering and technology company with over 15 years of operational experience in many African countries. The company’s strategic business units include telecommunications, fuel management, construction and marine engineering.

We currently service various industries including, ISPs, carriers, mobile operators, mining, transportation, power utilities, oil & gas and others.

In addition to this, Vodacom Lesotho is to explore other converged services opportunities by looking closely at opportunities in the TV, localised online content and streaming services in order to remain relevant to the customer and adapt to market demands.

“We are also looking at products and solutions in the insurance and healthcare sectors to further enhance our mobile money offering. We believe that M-Pesa is an extremely powerful and life transforming product, and we are committed to working with our

clients and partners to ensure that our technology continues to change people’s lives for the better,” he adds.

Key to building the perfect product portfolio is brand engagement in the relevant market segment, which is something Vodacom Lesotho is passionate about, understanding and catering to customers’ needs.

Dos Santos details: “This year marks the fourth edition of Vodacom Superstars, a musical talent recognition platform that we provide to identify and nurture musical talent

Johnny Dos Dantos, Acting MD Johnny Dos Santos took on the role of Acting Managing Director of Vodacom Lesotho in August, 2015; having previously been with the Company for two and a half years and held several key roles including looking after the mobile money side of the business, enterprise operation, finally moving into consumer and commercial roles

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...we are committed to working with our clients and partners to ensure that our technology continues to change people’s lives for the better

TVS is a preferred supplier for Vodacom Lesotho, and has been providing them with an array of different solutions over the past few years, including the following: • Point to multipoint wireless, using best effort and QoS capabilities • Multi point to point broadband high capacity wireless with dedicated bandwidth • Aggregation of voice and data services over multiple platforms • Integration between legacy and next generation equipment • Sophisticated lightning protection systems, using certified ESE technology Our telecommunication products and services portfolio includes a variety of connectivity methods from cabled to wireless, telecom access equipment including fibre optic multiplexers, and management and monitoring solutions among others.

We provide vendor independent demarcation and management devices capable of fault finding and network optimisation, with built in firewall, security, IP encryption, IT QoE, router, VOIP/PABX, accounting packages and SBC capabilities at the CPE. We supply ruggedised routers with integrated 3G/4G modems with built in security mechanisms specifically designed for ATMs and smart grid applications and used for intelligent transportation, water and gas utilities.

Our monitoring and management systems are capable of remotely monitoring fuel tank levels, CCTV, alarms, battery levels and others.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND SECURIT Y SOLUTIONS ESE LIGHTNING PROTECTION OIL & GAS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES CONSTRUCTION SERVICES MARINE ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES

We provide professional engineering products and services to the telecommunications, oil & gas and transportation industries as well as to others. Our international team is truly versatile and focused on ensuring the delivery of outstanding results to our clients. www.tvstelecom.com

SOUTH AFRICA 37 Mopedi Road,Sebenza

+ 27 11 452 5009

Edenglen, 1601

info@tvstelecom.com

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

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CAMP-IT

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AMP-IT was employed in August, 2013 to provide project management and consultancy services at a time when Vodacom Lesotho was implementing a turnaround strategy in the company.

The EXCO team was re-structured resulting in many new members joining the team. As the Executive Head of Networks, I immediately identified the need for project management and consultancy services as VCL never had a dedicated function performing this responsibility which resulted in projects not being executed on time and with very little planning. VCL Capex Intensity for FY14 was also increased due to the lack of investment in previous years which placed even more pressure on this function.

T +27 823717176 E marius@camp-it.co.za

Vodacom Superstars identifies and nurtures musical talent in Lesotho

in Lesotho; this is just one of the many ways that we engage our customers with the brand, as we continue to deliver to their needs and improve their livelihood at the same time.

“We can then take this brand engagement exercise and build our products and services into this in a way that allows us to monetise an artist’s music through ringback tones, streaming music services and so on. So it is not just recognising and creating a platform for talent, it is giving us a business platform to bring these stars under the Vodacom Lesotho brand to help build their music careers.”

One such partner who works closely with Vodacom Group to drive loyalty management and capitilise on engagement is Business Logic Systems, who provide an automated two-way communication channel to monetise subscriber data through notifications, offers and rewards that benefit and enhance the customer’s experience of the network.

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BRAND FUSION GROUP

...it is not just recognising and creating a platform for talent, it is giving us a business platform to bring these stars under the Vodacom Lesotho brand...

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perating in Africa since 2004, the BrandFusion Group has a wellestablished, extensive footprint in 19 countries across the African continent, with 11 years experience in providing Channel Development services to various industries including Telecommunications, FMCG, Financial Services (Mobile Money) and NGO’s.

Channel Development services includes market research/surveys, channel audits, strategy development, trade marketing and promotional activations.

Our Sales Force Automation technology and data collection, management and reporting capabilities, enables customers to manage the efficiency of their sales force and institutionalise data collection to support route-to-market decisions and strategy. Experienced local staff ensures an unparalleled ability to execute on strategy.

www.brandfusion-africa.com

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MAKE IT HAPPEN, DO IT RIGHT, FIRST TIME • • • • • • • • • •

Site Build Cost Saving Up To 25% Planning and Process Optimization Driving Business Efficiency Local Skills Development (Within 12 Months) Specifications (Definition, Design, Implementation, Measuring & Change Management) Capacity Dimensioning & Forecasting (RAN, TX & Power) Budgeting (Facilitation, Planning, Execution & Tracking) Project Management (End to End, Technological Methods) Coordinated Sourcing Spares Management Performance Based Remuneration

16 years of deep Africa market & telecommunications experience.

GET IN TOUCH

Marius van den Bergh Email: marius@camp-it.co.za Mobile: +27823717176

Vodacom Business Partner of the Year Internationa l

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Beyond this, the Company is an official sponsor of Lesotho’s top soccer division, the Vodacom Premier League. Vodacom is very supportive of the individual teams, which have a large following in Lesotho. Directly supporting clubs by providing starter packs, airtime and M-Pesa startup packs, the Company is helping them to monetise their operations and create an alternative revenue stream to support the clubs.

“Our activities ensure that we create an emotional connection with the community and this is just one way in which we have become the leader and go-to partner in youth-focused CSR activities,” he further adds.

Healthcare, education, entrepreneurship

Over the past few years, Vodacom has been working on three big projects in a corporate social responsibility (CSR) drive that has proved crucial to addressing the real social issues that

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Lesotho is facing; all made possible through its standalone organisation, Vodacom Lesotho Foundation.

Dos Santos explains: “Our flagship project in healthcare is designed to address the high prevalence of HIV in Lesotho and the huge strain this is putting on the sector. With the third highest HIV-positive prevalence in the world, we have found that there are preventative programmes in place but the gap lies in, among other things, transportation methods to reach the clinics; and we identified around 20,000 possible children that could not access treatment.”

Together with the Foundation, Vodacom Lesotho has so far raised more than US$12 million to be invested in identifying vulnerable and exposed mothers and children, and utilising technology to provide a transport allowance through the M-Pesa service to access transport to the local treatment centre; implementing a comprehensive text-to-treatment,

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FELIX (PTY) LTD

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ounded in 2005, Felix (PTY) Ltd offers complete telecommunication infrastructure solutions. We supply equipment, consulting, installation, commissioning and support services.

Operating within Telecommunications and Construction industries, Felix delivers unique turnkey infrastructure solutions to mobile operators and other customers throughout Southern Africa.

Our skilled work force combines a wealth of Telecommunications and Solar expertise and experience. We project manage operations across two business lines - Construction and Solar Solutions aimed at delivering tangible, sustainable solutions.

Backed by our Mechanical and PlantHire Companies and TyreCentre, Felix is synonymous with efficiency, trust, quality and excellence.

www.felixgroup.co.ls

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We provide Telecommunications infrastructure with a successful track record in delivering more than 200 semi turn-key and 20 full turn-key projects to Vodacom Lesotho, as well as various other projects for Rohde-Schwarz and WIOCC. We strive to consistently build and maintain telecommunications infrastructure within agreed time, quality and costs, and has acquired a reputation as a company guaranteeing superior excellence even in the harshest conditions.

innis@felixgroup.co.ls Johan: +266 5900 3747 Innis: +266 5888 2010

www.signworld.co.ls Tel: +266 22313221 / 22312573 Cell: +266 58857330 Email: signworld@tlmail.co.za info@signworld.co.ls

• BRANDING • PRINTING • SIGNAGE • EMBROIDERY

Proudly creating signage for Vodacom

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mobile health management system that will ensure that patients are not only initiated on life-saving treatment, but they also remain enrolled in treatment.

“Given that HIV can now be treated and managed, we are hoping for longterm success stories to give children a real chance in life. We are hoping to ramp up investment in this area as the project gains traction in the coming months,” he emphasises.

Vodacom’s second project in Lesotho is centred around education as a vital area to secure the country’s future economic development.

In a partnership with iSchool - an organisation that has been working to digitise education in Zambia - and the Ministry of Education, Vodacom Lesotho has provided an alternative and effective way of educating school children in Lesotho who in a lot of cases do not have access to textbooks or other educational resources.

“At the five schools we are currently trialling this in, two children share a tablet and teachers are able to track their performance. We will soon deliver

We want to be seen as an entrepreneurship and innovation hub that looks to incubate business ideas from the local community

Approach to employment: Two-year rotational graduate development programme and placement Short-term internships Internal online education and development programmes Regional training workshops and initiatives Lesotho repatriation opportunities

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the service in the local language and roll this out across Lesotho to build the next generation of thinking by leveraging the tech revolution trend,” Dos Santos says.

To continue its employment creation and education focus, Vodacom strives to address the growing gap in the funding and support available for startup businesses in Africa, where the larger financial institutions have not traditionally had the appetite to invest.

Vodacom Lesotho Foundation built a first-of-its-kind business acceleration hub in Maseru - The Vodacom Innovation Park - which allows startups to utilise the space over a period

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of 12 weeks, providing the financial support and mentorship needed to get their business off the ground in Lesotho. The application process is rigorous and the programme even more so; with the aim to pick only the very best ideas and entrepreneurs who will change the business landscape of Africa and generate endless job opportunities for other Basotho.

“We want to be seen as an entrepreneurship and innovation hub that looks to incubate business ideas from the local community. Plus, if this is successful in Lesotho, we want to roll this out across our other African operations,” he further adds.

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20th anniversary

With 2016 marking Vodacom’s 20th year in Lesotho, the operator is keen to build a reputation as a total communication services provider, with a repertoire of converged solutions that leverage the evolution of data and the Internet of Things (IoT) to explore new ways to utilise technology beyond telephony services.

“As data usage continues to increase, other content aggregators and players will enter the market which makes it vital that we diversify our offering into areas such as finance, VOIP and streaming so as to not only relieve the pressure on traditional growth areas of voice and SMS in the long-term, but in becoming a platform that truly enables our customers to connect,” Dos Santos highlights, adding that in the short-term, Vodacom will benefit from bringing in microfinancing and other value-add financial inclusion services to the M-Pesa offering.

“In line with this, we have ambitious targets for M-Pesa to reach 50 percent of our subscribers in the next four years, which would contribute significantly to our business and accelerate the banking and financial inclusion landscape in Lesotho,” he further adds.

Vodacom Lesotho has a strategic advantage over its competitors in that it can achieve the best return on investment possible by aligning innovation would mean with the Group’s experience in added simplicity to your business... other African markets; with M-Pesa representing just one example of this in practice.

Dos Santos concludes: “As we move to becoming a fully-fledged services provider, it is important that our customers know they are at the centre of our future vision.

We want to be an admired Company that is not just a network provider of choice, but a local employer of choice and an industry leader.”

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THE CENTRE OF

Malaysian Technology

As a market-leading subsidiary of TIME dotcom Berhad, AIMS Data Centre Sdn Bhd (AIMS) is optimising its investment power and customer base to expand its already internationally renowned products and services Writer: Matthew Staff • Project Manager: Donovan Smith

IMS is once again thriving as Malaysia’s leading carrier neutral data centre operator and managed services provider, capitalising on its role as one of TIME dotcom Berhad’s most significant subsidiaries.

Beginning life in 1990, the business has had to diversify, adapt, transform and rebuild over its 25-year history to reach its current, internationally-renowned status. Overcoming competitive sectors and ever-changing market demands, it is in the arena of data centres where it has conquered and expanded from ultimately.

“AIMS offers state-of the art facilities for equipment housing with unparalleled connectivity options,” the company states.

“Maintained round-the-clock by expert staff, our data centres are equipped to the highest industry

standards; 24-hour security, clean agent fire suppression, robust cooling system and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with back-up generators.”

Alongside its core data centre offering, exists an extensive range of managed IT services from procurement to the deployment of software and hardware, working closely alongside its ever-increasing range of international customers.

These customers benefit from AIMS’ turnkey services across cloud technologies, content delivery, disaster recovery and carrier management to achieve an all-under-one-roof offering which looks set to reach an even more widespread demographic of both carrier and enterprise customers in the future.

Strength to strength

AIMS’ current industry positioning doesn’t tell the whole story of

the business’s diversification and development however. The company has proven its ability to overcome challenges that are now synonymous with the Group’s legacy.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chiew Kok Hin recalls: “The Company started in 1990 as an IT business by nature, doing all the things you would expect under the umbrella of technology.

“In 1994, we ventured into becoming the first commercial ISP in Malaysia, which we performed very well in.”

The rapid expansion that subsequently occurred was both a gift and a curse as the company built its reputation in the industry but struggled to juggle the diverse and extensive range that customers now expected of the AIMS brand.

“I joined in 1997 and while we were in the red for a couple of years, by 2000 we had turned the

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company around,” Chiew continues.

“We chopped the businesses that weren’t achieving profitability and divided the retained three into separate business units.”

It was at this point that AIMS began fully capitalising on its data centre potential, this division being complemented by a premium internet access offering and, thirdly, a continuation and improvement of its managed engineering services surrounding these two facets.

The CEO adds: “We went on to grow these three businesses which lead to our business growing two-fold every year. By 2011 we were back in the black again and we’ve doubled our revenue and profitability ever since.”

This resurgence came amid arguably its most significant strategic advancement through its acquisition

by Malaysian giant, TIME dotcom.

Combining the three entities in 2011 – AIMS as the country’s leading data centre player, and TIME as Malaysia’s second largest fixed line incumbent – the resulting Group structure has launched AIMS’ recent market domination as it continues to “leverage the Group to go from strength to strength”, Chiew emphasises.

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SAFAR GEMILANG SND BHD • Safar Gemilang Sdn Bhd was established in the year of 2000. We specialize in data center installation and maintenance as well as major equipment migrations. We are also a certified structured cabling and racking system installer by Panduit, Nexans, TE Connectivity (formerly known as ADC KRONE) and Cablofil.

• Our engineers have a wide range of skills and years of experience in the industry. Our Project Managers have phenomenal experiences and technical expertise.

By 2011 we were back in the black again and we’ve doubled our revenue and profitability ever since

• As much as delivering quality products to our customers, we take extra efforts to ensure that we also deliver good customer service and after sales support to ensure full customer satisfaction and experience. In this context, we assure you of our excellent services while promptly paying attention to any requirements that your organization may have.

What our clients say : “For the last 10 plus years and still to this day, you have been the vendor of choice when it comes to large Structured Cabling deployments.

We were impressed not only with the quality of work but the short amount of time it took. Your team was completing larger jobs in just 30-45 days which others may take months at a fraction of the cost. Many of our clients have been using our sites to show their customers what a communication facility looks like when done right.”

T +603 2026 5880 F +603 2026 2880 E cstan@safargemilang.com.my

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We are specialists in the design, installation and maintenance of structured cabling systems.

• Design Data Center Structure Cabling System • Install Cable in Data Centre • Redesign Office and Data Centre • Fiber cable installation • Installing communication equipment (e.g Alcatel, Nortel, Passport, Juniper, Cisco Router and Redback STM Swicthes) • Install Electrical Cable and others • Design, Supply & Install Computer Rack & Multipurpose Cabin • We provide various make and specifications including customizations of equipment racks Tel: 603-2026 5880 Fax: 603-2026 2880 cstan@safargemilang.com.my Suite 9.5, Level 9, Menara Aik Hua, Changkat Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur.

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Despite the inevitable enhancement of notoriety and capital power that came through its acquisition, AIMS was keen to ensure it lost none of the entrepreneurial flair or customerfocused philosophies that had initially made the business so successful.

“One of the reasons behind our success at AIMS was the fact that we were neutral and provided equal access to all carriers,” Chiew explains. “When we were bought

by TIME dotcom in 2011 we were then seen to be only a part of a telecoms company, but I think over the years we have shown through our behaviour, investments and customer engagements that while we were a 100 percent subsidiary of TIME dotcom, we

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were still retaining the philosophies we had shown prior to the acquisition.”

In less than two years, any lingering concerns among customers had been allayed, with customer confidence subsequently reaching an all time high.

This, in turn, provided AIMS with an opportunity to not only improve its services in line with close customer collaboration and demand, but to also expand geographically, as Chiew notes: “As well as in Kuala-Lumpur, we since formed a presence in Penang and Cyberjaya, the ICT hub of Malaysia.

“Since then, we have gone down south to Johor and have also set up a satellite in East Malaysia, in Sabah.

Late last year we also expanded into Singapore. Our geographic coverage has expanded alongside our products

EMERSON NETWORK POWER

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merson Network Power is a trusted leader in smart infrastructure technologies for the data center.

It is into the business of designing, producing and delivering solutions, systems and services that maximize efficiency and availability of critical infrastructure. This is delivered through its Centers of Expertise -- distinct areas of world-class products and services that help customers determine what they need and where. Emerson’s key expertises are: • AC Power: delivering a full range of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and power distribution units (PDU), from individual data center solutions to integrated systems.

• DC Power: delivering the most rigorous network-power applications, with an unparalleled breadth of intelligently engineered DC power, distribution, control and monitoring systems.

• Industrial Power: reliable, industrialgrade UPS systems, battery chargers, inverters, and rectifiers for heavy duty, industrial use.

• Infrastructure Management & Monitoring: comprehensive intelligent data center management solutions that bridge the gap between IT and hardware for continuous oversight.

• Thermal Management: enabling the most efficient, reliable and cost effective management of heat through unparalleled expertise and industry-leading efficiency levels • Racks & Integrated Solutions: data center racks, server rack cabinets, and enclosure solutions for computer rooms of all sizes, to rack enclosures that contain precision cooling, uninterruptible power, rack PDUs, and wiring management • Surge Protection: defending power, voice and data against grid irregularities and dangerous electrical disturbances • Integrated Modular Solutions: rapid remote deployment of complete data center solutions

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AIMS regularly participates in CSR projects

and services which are introduced to compliment our data centre services.”

With the extra capital investment power available to AIMS, combined with a wider footprint than ever before and a more multinational demographic of customers than ever before, the company is in a prime position to keep ahead, not only of its competitors, but of the overall industry curve.

Ahead of the curve

A key trend that this ability has incorporated in recent years stems from eco concerns and improving efficiencies throughout its core data centre operations.

Traditionally a challenging sector in which to be energy-efficient, any forward strides made in improving the situation resonate not only with onlookers and analysts, but especially with potential customers who are under similar pressures to partner with environmentally-conscious organisations.

“We are the first multi-tenanted data centre in Malaysia to invest and adopt the Dynamic Rotary Uninterruptible Power Supply (DRUPS) - a fully green and environmentally friendly UPS that leverages on the stored kinetic energy of a spinning flywheel instead of

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First to adopt

DRUPS AIMS is the first in Malaysia to adopt the Dynamic Rotary Uninterruptible Power Supply

the battery bank used by conventional UPS systems,” Chiew says. “This is a significant milestone in terms of making ourselves a greener and more efficient data centre.

“We also embarked on other initiatives like cold aisle containment and pre-cooling to further reduce our carbon footprint. At the same time, to ensure efficiency, we have an R&D team which deals with nothing but monitoring these new trends.”

AIMS’ compliance with international standards while bringing its own innovation and uniqueness to its services makes it an even more appealing proposition to customers, worldwide, and as the Group’s external influence continues to expand and advance, its internal influence on the workforce is having an equally beneficial impact.

Chiew adds: “It’s a continuous process; setting a philosophy and

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AIMS’ CJ1 Centre in Cyberjaya, the ICT hub of Malaysia

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educating our people to that. The majority of the people understand and many have been with the company for more than 10 years.

“They have seen the changes that have transformed the company to what we are today and understand that they need to continuously change also.”

Future growth

The most recent change has been in its target market, adding an enterprise element to the existing carrier demographic traditionally benefitting from the AIMS offering. With a 90 percent market saturation of the latter market in Malaysia, Chiew is confident that similar success can be replicated in the enterprise domain, albeit with a slightly altered service.

“We went into the enterprise market 18 months ago with the view to showing the same commitment and

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owertecs System is the sole distributor in Malaysia for Piller Power System GmbH of Germany since 1985. We offer engineering, design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of special electric power and power conditioning solution.

Our references include data centres, major semi-conductor and wafer manufacturers, airports, aircraft maintenance hangars and the defence industry.

T +603-6143 7661 E info@powertecs-system.com wkhoo@powertecs-system.com rusliharun@powertecs-system.com Address: No12-E, Jalan Teknologi, PJU 5 Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

www.piller.com

expertise we have within the carrier industry,” the CEO says. “Over these 18 months we have learnt a lot in terms of adjustments we need to make for enterprise customers.

“We now have all the certifications needed to ensure we are able to meet their market and regulatory needs.

We are seeing a healthy growth in this segment.”

Looking forward, this is a key area in which AIMS intends to grow in the future, once again proving itself as a dynamic and proactive business in what is still a relatively young, but competitive data centre market.

Supported by its ongoing expertise in internet services and advanced technologies, as well as its continuous TIME dotcom backing, the business is now in a better position than ever to also expand further internationally; the likes of Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar all potential regions in

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VSEM TECHNOLOGY

...we have the necessary tools and resources to go deeper into the enterprise segment

which to replicate its success.

Chiew concludes: “This year, we will concentrate on embarking on these strategies and we have the necessary tools and resources to go deeper into the enterprise segment.

“The message we always want to send to customers across every segment is simple; we know what you need, just leave it in our hands.”

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t VSEM Technology, we measure our success based on our clients’ achievements. We constantly strive to do more than deliver technology solutions. We are agents of innovation and progress. We are passionate about helping our clients to leverage on advanced technology.

We take pride in our ability to solve the most complex technical challenges and in our uncompromising commitment to delivering the highest quality of service in the IT industry.

VSEM Technology was formed as part of the Group’s restructuring to position our infrastructure group to be better focus on the information technology offering to deliver solutions.

T +603 7886 5080 E enquiry@vsemtech.com

www.vsemtech.com

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T 603-6143 7661 info@powertecs-system.com wkhoo@powertecs-system.com

www.piller.com

PILLER PREMIUM POWER SYSTEMS UP TO 40MVA On-Site Power Quality Solution (Power Conditioning Systems) Dynamic & Static Uninterrupted Power Supply 50/60Hz Static & Dynamic Frequency Converter System (Shore Supplying for Navy) 50/400Hz Static & Dynamic Frequency Converter System (Commercial & Military Aircraft) DC Power supply Systems Static Transfer Switch for No-Break Load Transfer Design Management & Consultancy Services

Tel : +603 7886 5080 enquiry@vsemtech.com www.vsemtech.com

C O N TAC T U S

Services offered:

VSEM offers a comprehensive suite of lifecycle services; VSEM Service Advantage, to help you plan, build, support, and optimize your IT infrastructure. We deliver across-the-board enhancements every step of the way - allowing you to improve productivity, profitability, and revenue growth while reducing operating costs.

• Network Routing and Switching solution • Wireless Solution • Unified Communication – Voice and Video • Network Security Solution • Data Center • Virtualization • Services and Support Maintenance

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TELL US YOUR STORY

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