TCS+

Asokan Moodley is leading Nedbank’s drive into the world of AI – and it is already starting to have a meaningful impact on productivity in the bank.

In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Moodley – Nedbank Group Technology’s head of end user and communication experience, infrastructure and operations – unpacks what the bank is doing with Copilot for Microsoft 365 and the lessons learnt so far from the deployment of the technology.

Nedbank, which is one of the first organisations in South Africa to deploy Copilot for Microsoft 365, has made the technology available to select employees, including senior management, ahead of a planned wider deployment.

In the interview, Moodley discusses:

• Why Nedbank decided to be a relatively early adopter of Copilot for Microsoft 365;

• Which employees the technology has been deployed to initially and why they were chosen;

• The business challenges the bank is hoping the technology will address;

• The important lessons learnt so far, and how other companies should be approaching their deployments;

• The potential pitfalls of using advanced AI tools in a highly regulated industry like banking;

• The security concerns, and how Nedbank is addressing these; and

• How the bank helped employees embrace AI tools in their day-to-day work, and the feedback they have provided regarding their use of the technology.

Moodley also shares his views on whether AI tools, including Copilot for Microsoft 365, provide a competitive edge in both the short and the long term.

If your organisation is thinking of deploying AI technology to its employees – and especially if it’s considering Copilot for Microsoft 365 – this is a conversation you shouldn’t miss, especially as Moodley shares his views on how leaders in other organisations who have embarked on a similar journey should approach this.

HP, long been a leader in the technology space, launched the Amplify Partner Program in 2021. The programme has since gone from strength to strength. Through its dynamic nature, it stands out as one of the most powerful partner programmes in the technology space.

In this episode of the TechCentral’s TCS+ series, HP Southern Africa MD Yesh Surjoodeen discusses Amplify in more detail, and explains how it is taking HP partners across the globe to new heights.

Surjoodeen unpacks the origin of the programme along with the latest updates announced in Las Vegas earlier this year at HP’s Amplify Partner Conference.

Additionally, he explains how the programme is helping partners drive AI readiness and technology adoption among customers, alongside empowering partners to make a positive impact in sustainability and environmental awareness.

HP has set itself apart in the way it supports the channel and end-user customers. Watch or listen to the interview with Surjoodeen to learn more about HP’s Amplify Partner Program.

Alan Kemp, director at Iris Network Systems, has a long history in South Africa’s internet service provider industry. So, he knows all too well how load shedding can play havoc with internet and telecommunications networks, and the teams employed to ensure their smooth functioning.

Iris Network Systems is a specialist South African service provider that specialises in network monitoring and management, with a historical focus on ISPs and operators, and currently entering the Enterprise market. Being in this space in South Africa presents several real challenges, not least of them dealing with the chaos caused by Eskom’s rolling power cuts.

In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show, Kemp tells Duncan McLeod about the impact of load shedding on networking monitoring and management, and the solution Iris has developed to lessen the aggravation caused to network support teams.

Kemp unpacks how Iris assists companies impacted by load shedding as well as the company’s full solution set.

If you’re an ISP or network operator, you’ll not want to miss this discussion.

Promoted | Check Point’s Rudi van Rooyen explains why cloud security is not as straightforward as organisations might assume.

The software security landscape is in a constant state of flux.

According to research undertaken by Check Point Software Technologies – an AI-powered, cloud-delivered cybersecurity platform provider protecting over 100 000 organisations worldwide – African organisations have been attacked on average 2 508 times a week in the last six months. This compares to 1 379 per organisation globally.

Some 70% of malicious files impacting African organisations were delivered via e-mail in the last 30 days, while the most common vulnerability exploit type is “information disclosure”, impacting 75% of organisations.

The race is therefore on between threat actors looking to exploit organisations and cybersecurity experts who protect sensitive organisational data.

In this episode of TCS+, Rudi van Rooyen, security engineer at Check Point Software Africa, offers a deep dive into the ins and outs of software system security for organisations of any size.

Van Rooyen unpacks:

• Why cloud migration is not a cure-all for software security issues in an organisation, and how security in a cloud setting should be approached.

• How Check Point manages to maintain a prevention-first approach to cybersecurity despite new types of attacks being developed daily.

• How AI is helping the chief information security officer cope with skills shortages and overwork by simplifying security operations.

• How Check Point’s virtual CISO function assists security leads in addressing their cybersecurity concerns.

• Insights into how much cybercrime impacts the South African economy.

• What Check Point recommends organisations do to better protect themselves against cybercriminals.

Insightful, important and sometimes technical, this discussion is critical for any information security expert or business owner looking to better protect their enterprise against cyber threats.

Artificial intelligence technologies will be used by both threat actors and those fighting cybercrime, and will bring about fundamental changes in the information security industry.

This is the view of Adrian Stanford, group chief technology officer at ESET Southern Africa, who was speaking to TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show this week.

Stanford, who is immersed in the world of infosec, unpacks how cyberattackers are using – and will expand their use of – generative AI tools to achieve their nefarious objectives, and how cybersecurity professionals can utilise the same technologies to fight back and improve defences.

He unpacks:

• The key trends shaping the infosec landscape in 2024, including supply-chain attacks, deepfakes and nation state involvement;

• How AI factors into cybersecurity, including what threat actors are doing with the technology, and how AI will help companies like ESET fight the scourge of cybercrime;

• How future developments in AI will impact the infosec field, both good and bad; and

• The role of ESET in protecting internet users from harm as the AI arms race hots up.

Don’t miss this important discussion on a critically important topic to all organisations – big and small – in 2024.

TCS+ | Pinnacle CEO on how AI is going to transform SA business

Pinnacle CEO Tim Humphreys-Davies and his management team are early adopters in South Africa of generative AI tools in the workplace.

He joins TechCentral’s TCS+ to talk about the experience, and the impact the technology is likely to have on business operations.

Pinnacle, which is one of South Africa’s top ICT distributors, is testing the technology with the aim of assisting its channel partners with the shift to AI tools and deploying these in end-user organisations.

Humphreys-Davies explains what Pinnacle’s experience of generative AI has been to date, and he shares his views on the likely impact on productivity of deploying the technology.

In the discussion, he unpacks:

• Pinnacle’s objectives in using generative AI internally;

• The company’s learnings so far;

• The challenges encountered; and

• The impediments to deploying the technology effectively, including data availability issues, the skills gap, and the risk and complexity involved.

He also discusses Pinnacle’s exclusive distribution agreement with Nvidia – whose chips are fuelling the generative AI boom – and the industries which he believes will be impacted by AI to the greatest degree.

Lastly, Humphreys-Davies explores where the technology might be going, and how he sees Pinnacle using it in the years ahead.

In the latest episode of Workday’s Changemakers series with TechCentral, we speak to Altron Group chief operating officer Collin Govender and Workday South Africa MD Kiv Moodley about leadership and the role of technology in modern organisations.

Govender kicks off the conversation by sharing his views on the significant changes that Altron has been through in recent years. He also unpacks his new role in the organisation, and what his day-to-day role entails now.

The two men then discuss their working relationship, including Altron’s use of Workday’s software and what this has allowed the JSE-listed technology firm to achieve through its business transformation.

Moodley then unpacks how the role played by Govender at Altron fits into Workday’s philosophy around changemakers in South Africa.

Finally, Govender turns to a passion of his, and a topic he has spoken to TechCentral about on previous occasions, namely leadership and its role not only in the success of companies but also of countries. He speaks to how technology can play a role in driving meaningful organisational change.

Don’t miss a great discussion!

Old Mutual IT executive for employee and workplace enablement Nomsa Lewisa is the guest in this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology podcast.

In the show, Lewisa – who is joined later in the discussion by Workday South Africa MD Kiv Moodley – unpacks Old Mutual’s strategic priorities and how technology is helping the company achieve its business objectives.

The podcast, the latest in a series by Workday grouped under the theme of “change makers”, explores how Old Mutual is using technology – including Workday solutions – to improve its human capital management systems.

In the interview, Lewisa discusses:

• Her role at Old Mutual and what it entails;

• The evolution of this role in the last few years, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the work-from-home mandates and the emerging world of hybrid work;

• The future of work, and how it is influencing Old Mutual’s strategy around its people and their development;

• The projects that are a top priority for Old Mutual;

• The strategic relationship between Old Mutual and Workday and what it entails; and

• What deploying Workday solutions has allowed Old Mutual to do better, including attracting and retaining scarce skills.

Moodley then joins the conversation, sharing insight into Workday, the history of the company’s relationship with Old Mutual, and the impact of technology on human resources and financial leaders in South Africa.

The healthcare industry in South Africa is in a state of flux, not least because of the introduction of the much-derided national health insurance (NHI) law. Technology can, however, play a big role in helping address the myriad complex issues facing the sector.

That’s the view of Henry Adams, country manager at InterSystems South Africa and an expert on the healthcare industry, who was speaking recently in an interview with TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology talk show. Watch or listen to the episode below.

In the episode, Adams succinctly unpacks:

• The role played by InterSystems in the local healthcare industry, including the company’s background and focus areas;

• The lack of integration of healthcare systems in South Africa, the role of electronic medical records, and why no national health insurance scheme can possibly work without addressing interoperability;

• What impact the NHI will have on the sector;

• The role of electronic medical records and why they are key to any reform of South Africa’s healthcare industry – plus, what’s the best way of protecting these records and ensuring compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act;

• What a fully integrated system for healthcare providers and their patients might look like and what it would take to build it;

• The guidelines and legislative support needed to bridge the gap between government and the healthcare industry; and

• The role InterSystems believes it can play in helping address some of the challenges facing South Africa’s healthcare industry.

Visit InterSystems South Africa’s website for more information – and be sure not to miss a fascinating discussion that affects all South Africans.

A strong and reliable Wi-Fi network is no longer a perk but a fundamental necessity. Just like access to good coffee and comfortable chairs, businesses are expected to provide a seamless Wi-Fi experience for employees, guests and tenants. A frustratingly slow or spotty connection can bring your entire operation to a crawl, hindering productivity and damaging your reputation.

Wi-Fi experts at Vox

Vox understands the critical role Wi-Fi plays in a successful business and how its Wi-Fi offering can be a major differentiator. The guest today in this episode of TCS+ is Craig Blignaut, product manager for Wi-Fi at Vox. Blignaut brings a wealth of knowledge about the needs of businesses and the technology that keeps them connected.

Planning for success: proactive Wi-Fi solutions

Blignaut discussed the importance of having a well-defined Wi-Fi strategy from the very beginning: proper planning prevents problems later. Vox takes a proactive approach by using specialised software to create virtual models of your office space. This software considers building materials like brick, glass and metal, allowing it to predict how Wi-Fi signals will travel and where obstacles might cause issues.

This virtual planning isn’t just about signal strength; it also helps determine the best placement for access points and switches, as well as how to route cables in the most efficient way. It even considers factors like employee traffic patterns to optimise network performance and capacity in areas where it’s needed most.

Just like any other piece of equipment, Wi-Fi needs regular check-ups to ensure optimal performance. Vox offers a comprehensive Wi-Fi audit service that includes both on-site and remote testing. This ensures your access points are delivering the data, bandwidth and capacity you need to function smoothly. The audit also considers factors that can fluctuate over time, such as the number of users on the network, peak usage times, and even changes to your building’s structure or materials.

Staying secure

Security is another crucial aspect of any Wi-Fi network. Outdated systems are vulnerable to breaches, leaving your business data and your users’ information at risk. As Wi-Fi technology improves, so, too, should your security protocols. Vox recommends using strong encryption like WPA3 to keep your network safe from unauthorised access and data loss.

Managed Wi-Fi solutions: the power of remote support

In addition to supplying enterprise-grade equipment, Vox offers a managed Wi-Fi solution that provides off-site management and remote support. This means you have a team of experts behind the scenes, constantly monitoring your network and proactively addressing any issues that may arise. Vox’s AI-powered software can even anticipate and troubleshoot potential problems before they occur, preventing disruptions before they start.

The bottom line

Don’t settle for a sluggish, unreliable Wi-Fi network. A poor connection can frustrate employees and guests alike, hindering productivity and creating a negative impression of your business. A Vox Wi-Fi audit can identify areas for improvement and ensure you’re getting the most out of your network. Imagine a world where your employees can download large files, stream video conferences and access cloud-based applications without a hitch.

Ready to upgrade your Wi-Fi experience?

Contact Craig Blignaut at Vox or your Vox account manager to discuss your options and take your business Wi-Fi to the next level.

• Visit www.vox.co.za or e-mail [email protected]

• Book a Wi-Fi survey or audit

• Guest Wi-Fi solutions from Vox

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