ABSA to spend R5bn on IT

Understanding the brand conversation

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Successful migration to a consolidated communications infrastructure begins and ends with successful communication.

This sounds like a simple statement, but it carries with it many layers of complexity. Internal communications, the lifeblood of any organisation, is the first mission-critical factor.

It should incorporate staff at every level, from security workers through to maintenance, marketing and those operating at executive level. While companies believe they are on the right internal communications track, anyone working regularly within the space will be able to testify how many still get this basic idea very wrong.

iPads, smartphones for FNB customers

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Archived; click post to view. Excerpt: FNB has announced it will provide customers with smartphones and tablets at reduced rates. The bank’s clients will be able to select from a range of smartphones or tablets, including the popular Apple iPad 2 – at savings of up to 35%. The bank says it is actively promoting day to day banking via electronic banking channels, such as the FNB Banking App, internet and mobile banking. Smartphones will come preloaded with [...]

Vodacom to boost ICT in education

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Vodacom has introduced its Mobile Education Programme, which makes use of mobile technology to provide teachers throughout SA with access to quality instruction resources and ICT.

The initiative is a nationwide teacher development programme aimed at improving the quality of instruction in all subjects, especially mathematics and physical science.

The Vodacom Mobile Education Programme is rolled out in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Microsoft, Cisco and Mindset Learn.

Collaboration calls for integrated management

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Today’s technologies inter-relate and integrate business activities rather than simply streamlining and automating them and it is for this reason that they can no longer be managed in a siloed way.

However this shouldn’t make managing IT more difficult, but it does mean fundamental changes – taking a step back to see the big picture and then implementing management tools and processes to support integrated communications and applications.

Unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) is a prime example. Until it came into the mainstream a few years ago, organisational communication was managed in silos. Initially, of course, real time business communication was based almost exclusively on the telephone. Management of telephony was based on PBXs operating within an isolated environment. Much of the management revolved around moving phones and cables in patch panels.

8·ta rebrands Hillbrow Tower

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Archived; click post to view. Excerpt: SA’s fourth mobile operator, 8·ta, is rebranding the iconic Telkom Hillbrow tower - a move aimed at increasing its brand equity and awareness in Johannesburg. After weeks of speculation Amith Maharaj, Telkom Mobile’s managing executive confirms that as of today the tower will, for the next three years, be associated with 8·ta. The fiberglass and steel ball, which became an iconic symbol during last year’s 2010 FIFA  World Cup, has been repainted [...]

ICASA website faulty

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Following claims that confidential consumer complaints lodged on its website were publicly available – the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) says it is fixing the faults.

The regulator says that its service provider investigated the claims and confirmed that it was possible for someone to change the file reference number and then be able to view someone else’s information.

“Whilst no information is intentionally leaked by the Authority, access to the data was in fact very limited. Of note is that the website does not request bank account details as purported by complainant. However, this problem was identified and the feature was immediately disabled,” ICASA explained.

DTI welcomes online gambling ruling

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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has welcomed a ruling by local courts upholding the illegality of online gambling.

This follows a drawn out battle between government and Piggs Peak Casino, which saw the casino shut access to South African based gamblers.

“The activities of Piggs Peak to offer South Africans access to online gambling in flagrant disregard of the laws of the country could be construed as a transgression of South Africa’s gambling legislative prescripts,” says the DTI.

Under the current legislation, any person found guilty of online or interactive gambling may be sentenced to a prison term of 10 years or a fine not exceeding R10 million or both.

“The decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa to dismiss the appeal by the Casino Enterprises, Swaziland, trading as Piggs Peak is an affirmation of the country’s stringent laws on regulating gambling and ensuring that South Africans are protected from the vagrancies of illegal gambling activities offered to them,” the DTI explains.

8ta airtime available through FNB

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Archived; click post to view. Excerpt: 8·ta has entered into a collaboration with FNB that allows for 8·ta airtime to be purchased from the bank’s electronic channels including cellphone banking, online banking and FNB ATMs. SA’s fourth mobile operator continues to expand its distribution channels to provide convenience and greater reach to the country’s prepaid market. “8·ta continues to source accessible and convenient channels for its prepaid customers. We keep on exploring potential channels to make the buying [...]

DiData rolls out e-learning to KZN schools

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Archived; click post to view. Excerpt: Dimension Data has opened an e-learning centre at Dambuza, KwaZulu Natal – providing learners with access to technology applications. The Dambuza community skills centre - which was opened in partnership with Dimension Data and the Dambuza community development trust - will offer ICT training to young people as well as provide e-learning to selected schools in the area. The centre will benefit 350 learners to support the traditional curriculum for mathematics, physical [...]

How to innovate in an imperfect economy

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Today’s applications have to support increasingly complex business processes.

Not surprisingly, applications are becoming more intricate and inter-connected. In a survey conducted by Capgemini and commissioned by HP, an overwhelming majority (88%) of survey respondents agree that software systems have increased in complexity.

Previously, organisations have been able to deal with increased workloads by adding resources to their quality management teams; but, with reduced IT spending, companies are looking at alternate ways of keeping pace with growing complexity – such as streamlining the quality process, increasing the degree of test automation and outsourcing testing activities.