Derrick
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By Riaan Leuschner, Managing Director of Nology
The commoditised nature of broadband is undoubtedly fuelling the South African networking marketplace’s success in a time of economic uncertainty and budget restraints. Indeed, today’s users — either individuals, smaller business or enterprises — require always-on connectivity that provides them with the proverbial bang for their buck coupled with reasonable data speeds.
The success of broadband is therefore giving way to a boisterous networking marketplace as the one feeds off the other, so to speak. Without networking there wouldn’t be broadband and vice versa.
So, it has become a symbiotic relationship that is good for all players concerned including vendors, distributors or integrators.
Driving adoption
And whilst the benefits of broadband, always-on connectivity in the context of social networking and Web 2.0 is undisputable, there are also the other benefits such as IP Telephony realised via an IPBX or just an IP Phone, surveillance via IP cameras and security with remote access that is also making a noteworthy mark on the South African marketplace.
Organisations can now significantly drive down their telephone bills with IP Telephony; improve their security and surveillance with IP Cameras and keep their finger on the pulse of the business with remote access capabilities – anytime and anywhere.
It is also these tangible broadband ‘applications’ which again translate into an ever-sophisticated networking industry as ultimately you require an IP infrastructure built on networking equipment to realise the above. Plus, as networking equipment becomes more advanced, this will allow users to further extend the functionality of applications that make use of broadband. The sky is the limit.
Apart from IP infrastructure advances such as security, voice and remote access, networking is enjoying a good injection with the landing of the Seacom cable, which promises more competitive broadband access.
De-regulation also sees service providers cross-pollinating, moving into different areas such as Vodacom offering fixed-line which in turn further levels the playing field.
How to stay ahead
It has finally become a healthy marketplace which is good news for consumers; however, it has also forced broadband and networking players to up their game as differentiation is becoming increasingly important.
Broadband will probably start resembling cell phone packages; pretty much the same offering but it’s the value-add that makes all the difference. The ability to offer a bundled package that is truly solution orientated will be key.
Here, product features will also be important – providing solutions that feature the latest advancements such as SSL VPN, for secure, continuous mobile access; home plugs which mitigate the need for unnecessary cabling and complicated wireless security set-up and so forth will address the needs of all users.
The above will also enable players to address ‘technophobes’, usually small businesses and individual users that require broadband and its numerous benefits but are hesitant to do so due to the perceived complex set-up and use.
Now is the time to make some significant inroads. The challenge, however, will be not to become one of many but to stand out with services and complete solution offerings that are deal breakers.
The commoditised nature of broadband is undoubtedly fuelling the South African networking marketplace’s success in a time of economic uncertainty and budget restraints. Indeed, today’s users — either individuals, smaller business or enterprises — require always-on connectivity that provides them with the proverbial bang for their buck coupled with reasonable data speeds.
The success of broadband is therefore giving way to a boisterous networking marketplace as the one feeds off the other, so to speak. Without networking there wouldn’t be broadband and vice versa.
So, it has become a symbiotic relationship that is good for all players concerned including vendors, distributors or integrators.
Driving adoption
And whilst the benefits of broadband, always-on connectivity in the context of social networking and Web 2.0 is undisputable, there are also the other benefits such as IP Telephony realised via an IPBX or just an IP Phone, surveillance via IP cameras and security with remote access that is also making a noteworthy mark on the South African marketplace.
Organisations can now significantly drive down their telephone bills with IP Telephony; improve their security and surveillance with IP Cameras and keep their finger on the pulse of the business with remote access capabilities – anytime and anywhere.
It is also these tangible broadband ‘applications’ which again translate into an ever-sophisticated networking industry as ultimately you require an IP infrastructure built on networking equipment to realise the above. Plus, as networking equipment becomes more advanced, this will allow users to further extend the functionality of applications that make use of broadband. The sky is the limit.
Apart from IP infrastructure advances such as security, voice and remote access, networking is enjoying a good injection with the landing of the Seacom cable, which promises more competitive broadband access.
De-regulation also sees service providers cross-pollinating, moving into different areas such as Vodacom offering fixed-line which in turn further levels the playing field.
How to stay ahead
It has finally become a healthy marketplace which is good news for consumers; however, it has also forced broadband and networking players to up their game as differentiation is becoming increasingly important.
Broadband will probably start resembling cell phone packages; pretty much the same offering but it’s the value-add that makes all the difference. The ability to offer a bundled package that is truly solution orientated will be key.
Here, product features will also be important – providing solutions that feature the latest advancements such as SSL VPN, for secure, continuous mobile access; home plugs which mitigate the need for unnecessary cabling and complicated wireless security set-up and so forth will address the needs of all users.
The above will also enable players to address ‘technophobes’, usually small businesses and individual users that require broadband and its numerous benefits but are hesitant to do so due to the perceived complex set-up and use.
Now is the time to make some significant inroads. The challenge, however, will be not to become one of many but to stand out with services and complete solution offerings that are deal breakers.