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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, News

Avnet Technology Solutions, a global distributor leader and part of Avnet, Inc has extended its focus on the fast growing African market by investing heavily in the resources with a dedicated team of highly skilled sales, technical, financial and marketing professionals to expand its footprint across the continent. Avnet is also expanding its portfolio of products, solutions and services for solution providers on the African continent. A recent IDC forecast states that IT spending on the African continent will grow by 10% to touch US$ 25 Billion in 2011. South Africa is expected to grow by 7.5% in 2011, while Egypt will continue to grow rapidly at over 15% and the spending in the rest of Africa will grow at 12% to go past US$ 10 Billion in 2011.Read More…

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

Intel recently announced that Eng. Taha Khalifa has promoted as Sales Manager, Intel Reseller Channel Organization for the Middle East and North Africa region. Currently, Taha has been serving as the Country Manager for Egypt and the new role would see him relocate himself to Dubai starting August 2011. Taha joined Intel in 1995 and has spent 11 years with Intel US where he assumed several senior engineering, marketing, and management positions in the Intel Architecture Group and the Software Services Group.Read More…

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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, News

IT powerhouse HP has marked the official opening of its new premises in Smart Village, Egypt’s prime communication and IT (CIT) cluster and business Park. Hosted by the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), the event highlighted the stability of the Egyptian economy, development of Egypt’s ICT sector that continues to attract international investment, and HP’s strong commitment and contribution to the same by developing leading-edge technology, and partnering with local businesses and governments.
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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, Hardware, News, Peripherals

AOC, a provider of flat-screen monitors and TVs, with operations in over 100 countries throughout the world, has appointed IT distributor Platinum Micro as its distributor for the South African market. The new distributorship was recently announced at the premier of the X-Men motion picture in Johannesburg. Ricky Correia, GM, Platinum Micro says: “The Company will distribute a range of AOC monitors including the AOC Razor range of ultra-slim monitors which offer ultra-slim cabinets of just 0.92cm thickness and 1.2cm thickness with screen sizes ranging from 18.5 inches to 23 inches. We will have stock within a month and will distribute the monitors nationally through direct channels, which are soon to be finalised.”Read More…

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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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