MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG– INTERNET Solutions (IS), the leading Pan-African telecommunications service provider, has launched a suite of technology solutions to steer growth of the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
Officials said IGNITE, the company’s suite, offers SMEs access to ICT infrastructure, which rivals that afforded by big business. This is offered through fast, easy and affordable access to internet, billing, employee management and communications services, making the companies better equipped to compete in today’s fast-paced, competitive and tech-led business environment.
“With the right digital tools, we believe that SMEs can be just as efficient, connected and productive as corporates with large ICT budgets, if not more so,” said Tony Koutakis, Executive Head: IGNITE.
“Leveraging Internet Solutions’ expertise and resilient network, we set out to provide a range of solutions that will help SMEs connect, run and grow their businesses.”
SMEs will benefit from the single support-driven portal that enables SME owners to manage their services portfolio online, wherever they are, as need and budget dictates.
By combining and streamlining three existing Internet Solutions’ divisions – MWEB Business, IGNITE and IS Direct – SME clients can select from a range of internet connectivity, communication, cloud, payroll, accounting and recruitment services.
According to the Banking Association of South Africa research, SMEs make up 91 percent of formalised businesses locally, providing employment to about 60 percent of the labour force.
The total economic output of these businesses accounts for roughly 34 percent of South Africa’s GDP.
The National Development Plan: Vision for 2030 anticipates that SMEs will contribute significantly to the 5,4 percent annual growth in GDP targeted over the next 15 years.
As a pivotal driver of the local economy, support for SMEs has been identified as one of the ways to ensure economic transformation.
“By providing both services and support to SMEs, IGNITE enables SMEs to focus on building their businesses and increasing profit – to benefit themselves, their employees and the economy as a whole.”
IS provides public and private sector organisations and has been providing innovative end-to-end telco solutions and related services for more than 20 years.
Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa it has operating offices in four African countries and sales offices in UK, Singapore and USA.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dimension Data Group and part of NTT, IS leverages its infrastructure and global footprint to support organisations with the rapid deployment of emerging technologies.
– CAJ News
