Transforming businesses with online technology

Transforming businesses

With the FIFA World Cup transforming South Africa's infrastructure with high-speed rail systems, better roads and state-of-the-art power systems, now is the time for African businesses to also take economical advantage of the other benefit of the tournament - online technology.

South Africa's, not to mention the rest of the continent's, internet systems saw major investment during the build up to the World Cup with the likes of Google even launching their ‘Street View' technology in June, making South Africa the first African country to have this technology.

Street View allows users to virtually explore and navigate a neighbourhood through panoramic street-level images. It is also available in Google Earth and on Google Maps for mobiles. Of course, for businesses it creates a wonderful opportunity to market themselves, with people visiting the country for the World Cup able to view the area in which they are staying as well as local restaurants and companies.

While the World Cup may be over, the technology remains and it is set to drastically transform businesses all over the country, especially the tourism sector.

Transforming business

Other countries in Africa have also started to take advantage of their new online infrastructure with web-cams being sent up in Namibia at the country's world famous Etosha national park. With such technology being harnessed, businesses are now able to market themselves on a much smaller budget. For hotels and other areas of the hospitality sector, not to mention any other business, they can now place themselves to be seen online allowing potential customers to view them.

The benefits of Africa being connected to the rest of the world will be on of the topics discussed at the CIO Africa Summit (hosted by GDS International) from the 7-9 September.

With the installation of a new undersea fibre optic cable, now is the time for Africa to truly embrace business online in order to bring down costs while boosting employee efficiency and innovation.

Attendees will include Phumlani Mohoil, CIO of the FIFA World Cup 2010 Organising Committee, Hennie van Wyk, Group Head of Technology for ABSA Bank, George Munyua, General Manager for Equity Bank Limited and Morgen Mufowo of Econet Wireless.

Relevant articles:

Orascom to expand to Africa? | Vodafone Qatar to launch fixed line phone service | Mobily optic fiber network growth

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