TechCentral

Datafree Technologies, the company behind popular zero-rated messaging tool MoyaApp, has an ambitious plan to build a R1-billion/year business by tapping to the APN market provided by the mobile operators.

In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Datafree chief commercial officer Kruben Pillay tells Duncan McLeod about the company’s plan to build a software-as-a-service-based APN – or “access point name” – to sell to businesses. An APN is a gateway that allows a mobile device to connect to the network and the internet.

Datafree describes itself as a specialist in “mobile data optimisation” that “identified the opportunity to empower inclusive mobile connection by removing the data cost barrier to engage mobile audiences”.

To do this, it uses reverse-billing technology for data, not dissimilar to the way toll-free numbers work for phone calls.

Although many people use or are at least aware of MoyaApp, much less is known about Datafree. In this episode of TCS, Pillay tells McLeod more about the business. He also unpacks:

• His history in the telecommunications industry, including his time at Vodacom and Telkom;

• How MoyaApp is doing;

• Datafree’s R1-billion/year APN opportunity; and

• How APNs work, why companies use them (and why they sometimes run into issues) and Datafree’s APN services for business.

Don’t miss the interview!

Veeam is helping organisations in South Africa and the rest of the African continent safeguard their most valuable asset: their data.

In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, four senior executives from Veeam unpack the latest trends in data resilience and protection, and explore how African organisations can better protect themselves against a data disaster.

To unpack this in detail, TCS+ is joined in this two-parter episode by Veeam’s:

• Mena Migally, regional vice president, Europe, the Middle East and Africa;

• Brendan Widlake, regional director and country manager, Africa;

• Ian Engelbrecht, head of technical sales, Africa; and

• Lisa Strydom, senior manager for channel and alliances, Africa.

Topics covered in the discussion include:

• The unique challenges that businesses in Africa face when it comes to securing and managing their data;

• The role of data resilience in helping African businesses maintain continuous availability of their data in the face of growing cyberthreats.

• Securing on-premises and cloud-based environments and the challenges involved in doing so;

• How Veeam works with local partners to ensure African businesses optimise their data protection strategies and build resilience;

• How Veeam helps companies deal with ransomware attacks, both before and after they happen; and

• The emerging trends and innovations in data resilience and protection.

For more information on Veeam’s portfolio of data resilience solutions, including backup, recovery, cloud data management and disaster recovery, visit Veeam’s data resilience portfolio. TechCentral

Veeam is helping organisations in South Africa and the rest of the African continent safeguard their most valuable asset: their data.

In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, four senior executives from Veeam unpack the latest trends in data resilience and protection, and explore how African organisations can better protect themselves against a data disaster.

To unpack this in detail, TCS+ is joined in this two-parter episode by Veeam’s:

• Mena Migally, regional vice president, Europe, the Middle East and Africa;

• Brendan Widlake, regional director and country manager, Africa;

• Ian Engelbrecht, head of technical sales, Africa; and

• Lisa Strydom, senior manager for channel and alliances, Africa.

Topics covered in the discussion include:

• The unique challenges that businesses in Africa face when it comes to securing and managing their data;

• The role of data resilience in helping African businesses maintain continuous availability of their data in the face of growing cyberthreats.

• Securing on-premises and cloud-based environments and the challenges involved in doing so;

• How Veeam works with local partners to ensure African businesses optimise their data protection strategies and build resilience;

• How Veeam helps companies deal with ransomware attacks, both before and after they happen; and

• The emerging trends and innovations in data resilience and protection.

For more information on Veeam’s portfolio of data resilience solutions, including backup, recovery, cloud data management and disaster recovery, visit Veeam’s data resilience portfolio.

Eswatini is on a mission to roll out high-speed fibre broadband infrastructure for its citizens.

According to Themba Khumalo, MD of The Eswatini Posts & Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC), the landlocked territory will draw lessons from leaders in national fibre roll-out in other markets as it deploys infrastructure to the population.

In this episode of TCS+, filmed on-site in Cape Town during Africa Tech Week, Khumalo delves into:

• The role of EPTC Eswatini;

• Features unique to Eswatini that make the challenge of a national fibre roll-out a little easier than it might be in other territories;

• EPTC’s national fibre strategy;

• How the population will benefit from the speed upgrades that a fibre roll-out will enable;

• The proposed timelines for the competition of the national fibre roll-out; and

• The role government will play in accelerating infrastructure roll-out.

Don’t miss the conversation. TechCentral

Eswatini is on a mission to roll out high-speed fibre broadband infrastructure for its citizens.

According to Themba Khumalo, MD of The Eswatini Posts & Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC), the landlocked territory will draw lessons from leaders in national fibre roll-out in other markets as it deploys infrastructure to the population.

In this episode of TCS+, filmed on-site in Cape Town during Africa Tech Week, Khumalo delves into:

• The role of EPTC Eswatini;

• Features unique to Eswatini that make the challenge of a national fibre roll-out a little easier than it might be in other territories;

• EPTC’s national fibre strategy;

• How the population will benefit from the speed upgrades that a fibre roll-out will enable;

• The proposed timelines for the competition of the national fibre roll-out; and

• The role government will play in accelerating infrastructure roll-out.

Don’t miss the conversation.

In the final episode of a three-part interview series with TechCentral’s TCS+, Digicloud Africa executives unpack what Google Cloud’s solutions mean for end-user organisations in Africa.

Digicloud Africa is Google Cloud’s enablement partner on the continent, and the company’s CEO, Gregory MacLennan, and head of technical operations Louis van Schalkwyk return to the show to chat about what Google Cloud software can do for businesses that deploy it.

In episode 1 of this series, we had a look at Digicloud, what it does, and its relationship with Google. In episode 2, we looked at the company’s reseller partner model, what it involves and how it works with its reseller partners. (LINKS TO SHOWS TO BE INSERTED WHEN AVAILABLE.)

In the final episode, MacLennan and Van Schalkwyk unpack:

• The Google Cloud advantage relative to other cloud and enterprise software solutions;

• How companies can use Google Cloud to innovate and grow their businesses;

• The importance of using open IT infrastructure like Google’s – and what this means for collaboration and information security;

• What Google Cloud offers in specific sectors, including education;

• Examples of African enterprises and government agencies doing interesting things with Google Cloud technology;

• How Digicloud Africa works with resellers to offer Google Cloud solutions to companies, educational institutions and government – and how Digicloud supports those resellers in client engagements and deployments; and

• Becoming a Google Cloud reseller through Digicloud and what’s involved.

Don’t miss insightful interview, and the others in this series! TechCentral

In the final episode of a three-part interview series with TechCentral’s TCS+, Digicloud Africa executives unpack what Google Cloud’s solutions mean for end-user organisations in Africa.

Digicloud Africa is Google Cloud’s enablement partner on the continent, and the company’s CEO, Gregory MacLennan, and head of technical operations Louis van Schalkwyk return to the show to chat about what Google Cloud software can do for businesses that deploy it.

In episode 1 of this series, we had a look at Digicloud, what it does, and its relationship with Google. In episode 2, we looked at the company’s reseller partner model, what it involves and how it works with its reseller partners. (LINKS TO SHOWS TO BE INSERTED WHEN AVAILABLE.)

In the final episode, MacLennan and Van Schalkwyk unpack:

• The Google Cloud advantage relative to other cloud and enterprise software solutions;

• How companies can use Google Cloud to innovate and grow their businesses;

• The importance of using open IT infrastructure like Google’s – and what this means for collaboration and information security;

• What Google Cloud offers in specific sectors, including education;

• Examples of African enterprises and government agencies doing interesting things with Google Cloud technology;

• How Digicloud Africa works with resellers to offer Google Cloud solutions to companies, educational institutions and government – and how Digicloud supports those resellers in client engagements and deployments; and

• Becoming a Google Cloud reseller through Digicloud and what’s involved.

Don’t miss insightful interview, and the others in this series!

Pinnacle, one of South Africa’s leading technology distributors, is going all-in on AI.

The company, which represents some of the leading brands in the artificial intelligence space, is working closely with its vendors and channel partners to help local companies embrace the potential of the technology and expand employee productivity.

Jacques Visage, GM for AI and Services at Pinnacle, is the man leading this charge, and he’s TechCentral’s guest in this episode of TCS+.

He unpacks why Pinnacle sees AI as a strategic imperative and how it is positioning itself as an AI leader in the distribution space.

In the discussion, Visagie chats about:

• Pinnacle’s go-to-market strategy around AI and how it is working with its channel partners to provide AI solutions to businesses;

• The company’s key partners and technology providers;

• How conversations around AI in corporate South Africa have changed since the launch two years ago of OpenAI’s ChatGPT;

• What South African companies are doing with AI – and what they want to do with it in future; and

• The top-of-mind issues around AI in the C-suite and the biggest use cases we’re seeing so far in corporate South Africa.

Don’t miss this important and insightful conversation! TechCentral

Pinnacle, one of South Africa’s leading technology distributors, is going all-in on AI.

The company, which represents some of the leading brands in the artificial intelligence space, is working closely with its vendors and channel partners to help local companies embrace the potential of the technology and expand employee productivity.

Jacques Visage, GM for AI and Services at Pinnacle, is the man leading this charge, and he’s TechCentral’s guest in this episode of TCS+.

He unpacks why Pinnacle sees AI as a strategic imperative and how it is positioning itself as an AI leader in the distribution space.

In the discussion, Visagie chats about:

• Pinnacle’s go-to-market strategy around AI and how it is working with its channel partners to provide AI solutions to businesses;

• The company’s key partners and technology providers;

• How conversations around AI in corporate South Africa have changed since the launch two years ago of OpenAI’s ChatGPT;

• What South African companies are doing with AI – and what they want to do with it in future; and

• The top-of-mind issues around AI in the C-suite and the biggest use cases we’re seeing so far in corporate South Africa.

Don’t miss this important and insightful conversation!

José Soares, director of IT at The Capital Hotels, Apartments and Resorts, fell in love with computers when his dad brought home a Sinclair ZX81.

Through a series of upgrades – from the Commodore 64 to early Apple machines and eventually his first PC – Soares developed a passion for gaming and technology.

Meet the CIO is presented by Wipro

That passion led him to co-found a mobile gaming company and eventually to pursue a career in IT management.

Our guest in the latest episode of Meet the CIO, Soares tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about the journey that led him to The Capital Hotels group.

Soares also discusses:

• The assets owned by the group and why it’s focus is a little different to other companies in the hospitality industry;

• What the group’s IT stack looks like, and the big projects Soares is leading;

• How the internet and modern technology have transformed the hospitality industry;

• His strategic priorities as head of IT;

• The role of artificial intelligence in the hospitality industry, and how The Capital Hotel is approaching AI;

• The qualities that make for a good CIO; and

• The importance of developing the next generation of IT talent.

Don’t miss a great conversation! TechCentral