Western Cape based construction company, Haw & Inglis, has gone live with its Sage X3 and X3 People implementation with platinum Sage reseller, Parity Software. Specialising in projects of significant size and complex scope, the company, which operates throughout South Africa and neighbouring states, needed a consolidated ERP reporting and HR system, and selected Sage ERP X3 and X3 People. Duane Chemaly, IT Manager, Haw & Inglis, said that the construction giant’s ERP system was incapable of providing consolidated reporting across the Group. In addition, the HR and payroll systems did not synchronise, resulting in a manual updating process: “Aside from the vital consolidation features missing, the system lacked mobility because it only worked within Internet Explorer and was also unable to support multiple devices due to old ActiveX technology. Numerous updates had to be done due to poor software quality assurance on patches.” He says that there were no customisation capabilities, resulting in external custom developed systems that needed to be separately maintained. This was extremely time consuming and took hours to create a simple custom report, according to Chemaly. In selecting Sage ERP X3, Chemaly says that Haw and Inglis is now able to monitor data in real time across all companies and set access rights on a field and document level. BEE reports can be produced from the Sage X3 system linked to the accounts, which was not possible in its previous ERP system. Mario Engelbrecht, Senior Sage X3 Consultant, Parity Software, says that Haw & Inglis made a very strategic decision by opting for one solution that manages all the financial intricacies in the construction industry, but also addressing the challenging people perspective: “By implementing Sage X3 and X3 People, Haw & Inglis has instant real-time costing and data analysis capabilities. Using modules like Parity Cashbook, Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Project and Job . . .
Samsung Remains at the Forefront of the Technology Revolution
A strong focus on innovation, R&D and product design enables the company to consistently improve consumers’ lives JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 24 May, 2017 – Today’s rapid rate of advancement in mobile devices, tablets and household appliances has encouraged many tech innovators to produce products that meet the demand and supply needs of consumers and enterprises. Unfortunately not all these products are of a guaranteed the quality that can truly exceed user expectations. Samsung being renowned for its cutting edge products and technology continues to inspire people and help create the future through constant technological evolution. Samsung has a strong ethos when it comes to innovation as demonstrated by the thirty-four Innovation Awards which Samsung received at CES 2017. Among the eminent wins are a Best of Innovation Award in the video display category, Samsung’s FelxWash + FlexDry were awarded an array of media accolades, including the Techlicious Best of CES award. The cornerstone of such advances is primarily based on effective research and development (R&D). Samsung’s commitment to advancing new technologies benefit consumers and business around the world and is apparent by the fact that globally, the organisation spends around $14 billion per year on R&D. “As a market leader in design and innovation, it is our mission at Samsung to push the limits in order to help our consumers stay ahead of the curve. We do this by focusing on first-to-market technologies, designed to create new categories and influence the technology culture. Our world-class products have made us the market leader in many categories; we spot consumer trends early and react to these through innovation and we invest in both technology and people to future-proof our business,” says Michelle Potgieter, Director: Brand Marketing and Communications at Samsung South Africa. Samsung has been the number one television manufacturer worldwide for the past 10 years, owing . . .
Samsung Electronics Delivers Air Conditioning that’s Effective in Summer and Winter
Specialised appliances are able to heat rooms faster, more efficiently and more cost effectively than most heaters JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 24 May, 2017 – Samsung Electronics South Africa has vast experience in the development of air conditioning and has long been committed to creating cooling solutions that are both powerful and convenient, thereby ensuring optimum comfort for users. However, what many consumers are unaware of is the fact that Samsung air conditioners are equally effective at warming up a room and they can perform more efficiently than the average heater. Although South Africa is renowned for its long, warm summers, but when the winter hits, the cold can really affect internal living spaces. The traditional method of dealing with the cold is to utilise a bar or fan heater, but these products tend to work best as personal heating appliances and are less effective when attempting to warm an entire room efficiently. Troy Gower, Business Lead, Digital Air Solutions at Samsung Electronics South Africa, points out that Samsung’s air conditioners may have a reputation for being cooling appliances, but they are just as good when it comes to heating a room. “You simply cannot obtain the same amount of comfort or efficiency in heating from another source, as these appliances are designed to control the whole room’s temperature. Moreover, an air conditioner allows you to maintain your desired room temperature more effectively too,” says Gower. “Consumers may be concerned that an air conditioner will use more power, but even this is not necessarily the case. Our products have a built in inverter technology that sets the appliance to idle once the room reaches optimal temperature, switching on again only if the temperature drops below this level. A heater, on the other hand, is likely to remain on throughout the day in order to keep a room warm, which uses a lot more electricity.” He adds that another, intangible benefit of using an air . . .
Premium Samsung Prepares to Introduce a New Era in Television
Television experienced like never before JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 24 May, 2017 – South Africans can prepare to redefine the future of home entertainment, with Samsung’s latest premium line-up of QLED TVs available in the country from 22 May 2017. The new range’s advanced cutting-edge technology sets a high bar for competitors to follow, demonstrating innovation in picture quality, design and interactivity. “These latest QLED TVs exhibit the continuous evolution of television, not only with regard to people’s entertainment, but also with aesthetics within the home. QLED TVs deliver true-to-life picture quality, smart features that facilitate access to today’s limitless content, as well as beautiful design that gives users the freedom to put the TV wherever their lifestyle demands. With QLED every seat is a great seat,” says Mike van Lier, Director: Consumer Electronics at Samsung South Africa. The new flagship line of QLED TVs includes three series: the Q7, Q8 and Q9, which will be available in a combination of flat and curved models. Samsung’s QLED range takes Quantum Dot technology to the next level with advancements in light efficiency, stability and a wider colour spectrum. In addition, it addresses all the major aspects of picture quality, including viewing angle, colour volume, brightness and bold contrast. When it comes to colour, for example, the innovative metal Quantum dot technology ensures that Samsung’s QLED TVs are able to showcase 100% colour volume due to the metal Quantum Dot having greater light efficiency, along with a peak brightness of HDR 1,500-2,000 nits turning light into pure colour. “By improving on all aspects of picture quality, extremely dark as well as extremely bright hues contrast with superiority and maintain colour at any viewing angle,” says van Lier. “ Not only are the TVs themselves sleeker and more pleasing to the eye, they also come with a transparent cable that allows all of the appliance’s connected . . .
Available from RS Components, new Barth mini-PLCs provide powerful capabilities in a best-fit package
Johannesburg, South Africa, 24 May, 2017 - RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, has just updated its mini-PLC range from highly innovative controller manufacturer Barth Elektronik. The new product introductions, for which RS is the exclusive global distributor, include three new mini-PLCs, a new parameter programmer and a touchscreen display. The three new mini-PLCs are based on a 32-bit ARM® Cortex® processor, which offers a significant step change in performance. Programming is via the established miCon-L software, as well as allowing open source C-programming with the KEIL® µVision software suite. All PLCs exhibit 10 I/O and a CAN interface that allows communication with external devices. The STG-800 offers three 0 to 30 VDC analogue inputs with a 12-bit ADC, a 25 KHz-input event counter, a 40 µs-input pulse and frequency counter, four solid-state power outputs (up to 1.5 A) and a 16-bit 1 Hz to 25 kHz power PWM output. The STG-810 model adds an IrDA (Infrared) comms port, for communication with the new PG-65 parameter programmer. Finally, the STG-820 offers the same as the STG-810, but offers analogue output instead of PWM. The mini-PLCs provide hardware-oriented microcontroller programming at the lowest current consumption in a small form factor and are ideal for a range of applications including: industrial and building automation, automotive and maritime technology, technical education/university, and large electrical goods. All three PLCs come with connectors and are complemented by open source templates, the miCon-L software suite and manuals and sample programs, which can all be downloaded. The new PG-65 parameter programmer can be connected via CANbus or IrDA to the PLCs and can be used to activate or deactivate programs or upload new parameters to easily adjust I/O settings without the need for a computer. Its 2.4 inch 240 x 320 colour touchscreen display, rugged . . .
MainOne advocates need for greater investments to drive data explosion in Africa
Experts at the International Telecoms Week conference in Chicago have highlighted the need to accelerate investment in Africa to facilitate the continent’s broadband data explosion. Based on the theme “Achieving A Connected Continent: Leading The Data Explosion Across Africa”, the expertpanel session with participation from Google, Facebook, WIOCC, Liquid Telecom and Angola Cables discussed strategies for achieving improved broadband access across the continent. The session reviewed the state of broadband infrastructure and data traffic trajectories in different countries on the continent and made comparisons to other markets globally. This included areas in which investments had been made such as submarine cables, data centers, and access networks including 3G4G and FTTH networks as some of the elements that have accelerated the growth in data traffic on the continent. The consensus was that the data explosion will need to be driven by further investment in local networks to reach more end users rather than new submarine cables. The session revealed that while most African submarine cable systems had the capability to deliver 100 GBPS wavelengths, Africa has not utilized near enough capacity to saturate those systems. According to the panelists, for broadband to become more pervasive, there is need for continued investment and innovative business models to aid the rapid deployment of Access networks across the continent. Facebook’s Regional Head, Africa for Express Wifi, UcheOfodile shared the company’s experiences working with carriers to jointly make infrastructure investments and highlighted its initiatives in Uganda, where it is working with Airtel to deploy fiber backhaul, but noted that demand and favorable regulatory environments informed their decisions to invest. The need to go beyond mobile infrastructure was also highlighted by the CEO of Liquid Telecom, Nic Rudnick, whose company just completed its acquisition of South African operator, Neotel for . . .
Samsung and Twitter Deliver in 360 degrees
Samsung brings the 360 Twitter experience to SA with Twitter’s new 360 video offering JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 23 May, 2017 – Samsung and Twitter, two of the most innovative global brands have partnered with Ad Dynamo, to bring a first to the South African market. Samsung will be giving South Africans a 360 degree video journey around South Africa providing their users with a fully immersive experience. “In order to demonstrate how users can experience a view that is wider than before, we have teamed up with Twitter, through our relationship with Ad Dynamo, offering consumers the opportunity to experience true 360 degree video. Similar to the recently launched Galaxy S8 with Infinity Display, 360 degree video on Twitter challenges the norm,” says Craige Fleischer, Director of Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa. According to the South African Social Media Landscape 2017 Report*, there are around 7.7 million Twitter users in the country and Samsung is now offering this massive market the opportunity to look at some of the country’s most famous South African landmarks in 360 degrees. “Twitter is where people go to see what’s happening . We quickly understood the importance of 360 degree video for Samsung South Africa, and saw a natural fit for one of the most innovative Twitter channels in South Africa. Together, both brands are setting an example of what is possible with 360 degree video, by adding a local flavour,” says Matthew Banner, Global Account Lead at Ad Dynamo. Due to their sheer magnitude and beauty, Samsung chose iconic South African landmarks. Of those landmarks, Muizenberg, the Umhlanga Lighthouse, the Johannesburg CBD, Nelson Mandela Bridge, Table Mountain and the Union Buildings were selected to be best experienced in 360 degrees. The viewer should be able to experience these landscapes and iconic landmarks from every angle possible. Fleischer explains that 360 degree content is the perfect way to showcase Samsung’s mobile . . .
New Gear 360 and Gear VR with Controller Elevate the Galaxy Experience
New Gear 360 and Gear VR with Controller Elevate the Galaxy Experience We take a closer look at these new additions to Samsung’s expanding VR ecosystem, designed to make immersive 360-degree content more accessible and enjoyable JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 23 May, 2017 – Samsung’s Gear 360 places the keys to creating immersive, 360-degree content in users’ hands, offering a new and engaging means to capture their most memorable moments. “The camera’s latest edition is equipped with new features and a refined design to make sharing those moments even easier, adding further depth to viewers’ immersion with impeccable 4K video,” says Craige Fleischer, Director Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa. “Likewise, the new Gear VR with Controller allows for enhanced virtual reality experiences and easier interaction.” Gear 360: 4K-Capable and Made for Sharing The Gear 360 lets users record 360-degree videos that place viewers at the heart of the action, capturing a complete picture of the recorded experience as well as all the emotion, excitement and beauty that made it memorable. Such vivid detail is possible thanks to the Gear 360’s best-in-class cameras, which feature dual 8.4-megapixel fisheye lenses that support 15-megapixel images and, for the first time, immersive 360-degree 4K videos. The bright F2.2 lenses provide crisp detail even in low-light conditions, allowing users to create high-resolution content regardless of the time of day. In order to help creators put their best content forward, the new Gear 360 comes equipped with a variety of shooting modes and editing tools and makes it possible to effortlessly convert 360-degree videos into standard formats for easy-to-share content,” says Fleischer. The camera also supports high-quality, 360-degree live broadcasting*. When synced with a compatible smartphone or computer** via Wi-Fi or a USB cable, the device enables users to easily upload content to stay connected no matter where they are. . . .
Genetec to attend SECUREX 2017
Genetec Inc. (“Genetec”), a leading provider of open architecture security and public safety solutions, will be highlighting solutions that can help address the challenges presented by the changing nature of cyber threats and hazards in sub-Saharan Africa during its participation at its first Securex, Africa’s leading security and fire exhibition. Taking place from 30 May to 1 June 2017, at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Genetec looks forward to sharing how the company effectively protects the everyday. Taking strategic and timely moves to expand its market leading presence in sub-Saharan Africa, Genetec recognises the significance of the market. In Hall 2, Stand D05, Genetec will present its latest open-architecture, unified IP security solutions. During the three-day event, Genetec will provide a concentrated focus on security and analytics solutions for key industry verticals like government, retail, transportation, and oil & gas. Genetec will bring its well-trained team to demonstrate that it has the best security solutions to meet the needs of the growing market, and help address the specific needs and demands for flexible, reliable and future-proof security solutions. “Genetec’s participation at our first Securex demonstrates our eagerness to realise potential opportunities in the African market and to increase awareness on the level of commitment we exert in protecting organisations and their security systems, people, data and assets,” says Brent Cary, regional sales manager, Genetec. “At the event, we will present our wide range of solutions that provide the highest level of ‘cybersecurity’ and ‘hardening’ measures against cyber hacking and internal employee authorisation and authentication. These advanced solutions can play a significant role in the efforts to deal with the changing nature of cyber threats and hazards.” Genetec will showcase its decision support system, Mission Control—a set of solutions that can provide organisations . . .
The Rise of RCS Messaging
RCS industry initiative was formed in 2007 by a group of industry promoters. In 2008 the GSM Association officially became the project ‘home’ of RCS and an RCS steering committee was established by the organisation. Fast-forward 7 years and Google first announced the launch of RCS (Rich Communication Service) last year, having signed agreements with numerous operators and mobile device manufactures. This year it is focusing on brands and businesses, launching an Early Access Program, which will allow businesses to learn and build the technology. RCS offers businesses an upgraded alternative to traditional SMS messaging. In the past 12 months, since Google launched an initiative to establish universal profile based on RCS, more carriers have gotten on board. In Google’s latest RCS newsletter, they stated that ‘RCS momentum is getting noticed… with many more carriers launching later this year’. RCS is part of the new Advanced Messaging standard designed to greatly improve messaging functionality that comes installed on mobile devices. Along with SMS messaging, RCS will allow for higher quality picture messaging, group chats, location sharing, and video calls. RCS is looking to go beyond the capabilities seen in many of today’s messaging apps. Unlike SMS, new technologies can be integrated with contact apps to see who else supports the service. What this means for business is that you can now use SMS messaging as a more interactive tool to engage with your customers. 3 primary goals: Use better contact lists that included more detailed contact information, real-time contact availability and read receipts. Build a better messaging system that enables extras such as instant chat, emojis and sharing data. Support enhanced calls with features like video calling and data sharing in real time. Why RCS for business: RCS supports multiple message formats, allowing businesses to send not just text but videos, animations, and images an all in one . . .
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