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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, Networking, News, SME

Network Platforms, the distributors for the advanced DrayTek product range in Southern Africa, announced the release of the DrayTek Vigor 2830 Series ADSL Router Firewall. The series provides users with secure uptime and greater bandwidth capacity through triple connections, as well as tough security features. Bradley Love, MD, Network Platforms, said, “One of the main functions of this series is its ability to handle three WAN connections to enhance your Internet connectivity.
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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, News, Security

Global software security specialist, SentryBay, through its African distributor Romar, partnered with local data security solutions provider J2 Software, to expand its footprint in Africa. SentryBay will provide its patented identity theft solutions to key partners, who will in turn offer access to large networks of customers, employees, etc. Its solutions provide added value to the users in these networks, and significant revenue-generating opportunities for the partner. Read More…

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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, Hardware, News, Peripherals

Art of Colors (AOC), a global provider of monitors has expanded its footprint on the African continent with the appointment of Arabian Computer Centre (ACC) as its authorised distributor for Sudan. The move is part of its growth strategy in Africa and comes after AOC successfully launched the brand in Egypt and South Africa. Omer Abulgassim, managing director at ACC, says AOC is one of the top monitor brands in the world which not only offers a wide range but also provides the value for money LCD/LED monitors.
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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, Green Technology

MTN Uganda recently launched its green initiative called “21 days of Y’llow Care”, with a focus on the United Nation’s Environmental Focus in declaring 2011 the ‘International Year of Forests’. The new initative plans to plant 21,000 trees in 21 days and help raise environmental awareness across the country. “Our programme this year kicks off today June 1 and will run until 21 June 2011 – thus the 21 Days. During these days there are five internationally recognized days related to the environment, which is very appropriate,” said, Themba Khumalo, CEO, MTN Uganda. A week after the tree planting launch, MTN staff will roll up their sleeves and join residents of Kawempe Division in a Waste Management and Recycling exercise that will involve ridding Kawempe of plastics waste. Read More…

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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, Networking, News

Motorola Solutions plans to expand its presence in Africa as the demand for for mission-critical communications, two-way radios and next-generation wireless networks increases in the continent. Earlier this year, Motorola split into two units: Motorola Mobility which houses the firm’s mobile and home units; and Motorola Solutions which addresses products targeted at the enterprise and government to Motorola Solutions. Africa, especially Nigeria is seeing an increase in the use of the latest digital two-way radio technology that provides entities – particularly the army and police, construction companies, manufacturing firms and oil and gas companies with clearer, more reliable communication and the necessary tools to improve functionality in the workplace.Read More…

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In: Africa Focus, Expert Views, Storage

As the world becomes increasingly digitalised, organisations are storing more and more data electronically, much of which is mission critical and essential to running their business. The integral nature of this data to the business world, as well as events such as the Enron debacle, led governments around the world to begin passing various pieces of legislation around the protection of electronically stored information. Compliance with legislation in this regard has forced organisations around the world to examine their data policies and adopt new guidelines for the retention, processing and destruction of electronic records and communication. One of the most notable regulations not only for the United States where this law was passed but for organisations around the world, particularly those is the financial sector, was Sarbanes-Oxley, or SOX.
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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, Gaming, News

Corsair, one of the world’s top brands in the high-performance PC gaming arena, has appointed Corex as its South African distributor. Corsair markets its products in over sixty countries worldwide, primarily through leading distributors. Alan Spohr, Corsair product manager at Corex, says the vendor focuses on the same target markets as Corex. “This includes PC overclockers, enthusiasts and gamers, for whom Corsair is certainly the first choice. Corsair is not only recognised for its best-of-breed product, but is also renowned innovation and high-performance components in the gaming environment.”
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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, News

Technology powerhouse HP has maintained its top position in the East African PC market, with shipment growth of 46% year on year, supported by strong commercial demand and improved run-rates during Q1 2011. The vendor remained very strong in the Kenya market but continued to struggle in Ethiopia and Uganda. Rival Dell came a close second in Q1, with more than 600% year-on-year growth, after an aggressive channel recruitment and revamped drive from mid-2010. Dell continued to benefit more than other vendors from the shift from the grey market to official channels, especially in Ethiopia and Uganda, where desktop sales increased significantly. Taiwanese headquartered vendor Acer was third in East Africa in Q1, with 200% year-on-year growth, mainly thanks to deals in the telecommunications space. This channel is expected to continue growing as telcos explore data services to supplement dwindling voice revenues.
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In: Africa Focus, Enterprise, Feature Story, IT Services, News, SI Watch

Already recognised as a provider of infrastructure as a service from its Africa-leading data centres, South Africa-based SI Business Connexion has announced a new relationship, which sees it growing its presence in the SaaS environment. The SI has partnered with SIPCOM and is ready to deliver Microsoft-based communication and collaboration solutions, including Exchange, Lync with full Enterprise capabilities, and SharePoint, on the SaaS model. That’s because SaaS services are rapidly configurable, come at a low cost and provide flexibility to adapt to changing business circumstances. Business Connexion’s infrastructure as a service provides the same advantages for ‘hardware’-based services, such as computing power and storage capacity. Read More…

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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, News, SME, Software

The Sage Group, a global business management software provider recently held a global online conference under the theme “Modernising ERP – A Vision for Growth,” to reinforce its strategy for Sage ERP X3, its business application suite for the midmarket. Guy Berruyer, CEO, Sage outlined his strategic plan for Sage’s growth in the upper midmarket, and reaffirmed Sage’s commitment to Sage ERP X3 as its flagship global ERP solution. New customers, partners and an enhanced solution have helped Sage ERP X3 achieve double digit revenue growth.Read More…

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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, Hardware, News, Peripherals

“The electricity crisis has severely compromised key growth sectors.” This statement regarding power cuts in South Africa was reported by Bloomberg in August 2009. Jacques Liebenberg, product manager for Eaton Power Quality, AxizWorkgroup, said “Although South Africa is currently experiencing fewer power cuts, companies should still ensure they have a continuous power supply solution. By establishing an infrastructure that allows business continuation despite power cuts, power surges and blackouts as a result of lightning storms or base station malfunction, customers are able to minimise the negative effects on their operations.”
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In: Africa Focus, Enterprise, Feature Story, Networking, News

Huawei, a global telecom solutions provider has announced the launch of its newly introduced Enterprise business sector, confirming its continued focus on the Egyptian ICT market. Huawei Technologies expanded into the enterprise business sector with a global mission to become the first choice ICT solutions provider across various public & private industries, including health, education, government, oil/gas, real-estate, transportation and banking. The Enterprise sector offers end to end solutions, in order to save energy and make processes more simple and less time consuming.Read More…