IT departments are taking strain

When asking call centre managers how they go about choosing the technology that supports their business, the answers are invariably the same. They are approached by vendors who sell solutions, or perhaps they turn to analysts’ opinion. And sometimes, they rely on...

Embracing the cloud

While cloud computing has been touted as the next-generation architecture for enterprises, some channel players perceive it as a threat, cutting them out the channel supply chain and eroding their traditional product and value-added service margins, says Anamika...

Challenges to Africa’s cloud adoption

In Africa, an emerging information technology industry is betting its future on serving customers and businesses through cloud based applications, says Christo Briedenhann, country manager of Riverbed Technology, Africa.  At the same time, governments and...

Building long-term cloud cover

For a number of years now, the cloud has been the buzzword in the contact centre industry. Research suggests that a large number of local companies are starting to shift their operations into this virtual environment, citing cost saving and increased operational...

Risks of moving to the cloud

The financial downturn has forced companies to reassess their operations and examine where efficiencies can be made without reducing productivity. The advent of cloud computing has been seen by many to offer the answer for reducing IT costs and associated outlay, says...

Cloud an opportunity for the channel

A depressed economic climate, coupled with the ever-present challenges of shrinking IT budgets, reduced spend and lower margins, are issues which have plagued the channel for many years, says Alain Schram, chief operating officer at Kathea.  More recently the...