Grintek equips DataPro with the switch to VOIP

Issued by Grintek Telecom for Saab Grintek
Pretoria, 09 Jun 2005

Grintek Technologies, one of SA's leading IT and telecommunications solutions and integration companies, recently completed a successful multimillion-rand network installation of Verso Technologies' Class 4 and Class 5 solutions for DataPro, also a local company providing Internet, data and voice over Internet Protocol.

This installation has equipped DataPro with the capacity to provide wholesale and managed enterprise services in the VOIP business applications sector, a development which favourably positions the company locally and internationally, given the recent deregulation of the South African telecoms market.

Makhup Nyama, chief executive officer for Grintek Technologies, says: "With the deregulation of the telecoms market as announced by the minister in February this year, DataPro was looking at capitalising on this liberalisation and they opted to purchase a technologically advanced Class 4 and 5 solution designed by Verso Technologies.

"The significance of this deal is that it is enabling a comparatively small organisation to deliver carrier-grade services cost-effectively."

Grintek has established a strong reputation and expertise in installing several telecoms networks in sub-Saharan Africa.

Jaco Voigt, operations director at DataPro, says the company chose Grintek as a partner for the roll-out of its VOIP network because of its proven track record.

"Grintek successfully completed the installation and implementation of networks for Sentech, Telkom and Transnet and they are the market leader for the roll-out of such networks," he says.

"In the work that we've done in the past with them Grintek has consistently demonstrated its world-class competencies and they enjoy our full confidence."

Grintek has been deploying Verso Technologies' solutions to its clients for over five years while Verso Technologies has been designing and creating solutions for the VOIP segment for over 10 years.

Nyama says deregulation has opened up a whole new range of customers for Grintek in the VANS and ISP market and he is confident they will be up to the task of providing appropriate and cost-effective solutions for them.

Grintek Technologies

Grintek Technologies applies the Grintek Group's core technologies in the ICT, transport and energy sectors through the development of its own products as well as partnerships and distribution agreements with world-class suppliers.

The division provides tailored and innovative solutions from initial project and business requirement consulting, through to implementation, integration, ongoing support and training.

The company focuses on providing high-end communications solutions in the following areas: transmission, voice, data, wireless and convergence services, antennas, RF components, DC power systems, pre-payment electricity meters, electric load management systems and a full range of professional avionics and aeronautical electronics.

The division's solutions have been implemented in over 500 top South African companies and in more than 22 African countries. Over 25 leading international vendors have selected Grintek Technologies as a South African service provider and partner. Grintek Technologies' head office and support centre is located in Centurion, Pretoria, and it has full regional support offices in Cape Town, Durban and Windhoek.

Grintek

Grintek is a leading empowerment technology group and employs some 1 400 people, most of whom are engineers and technicians. The company delisted from the JSE Securities Exchange on 17 May and is a privately held partnership between Kunene Bros Holdings and the wholly owned local subsidiary of the Swedish manufacturer, Saab South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

The group specialises in three main market segments, namely telecommunications and selected niche opportunities within industrial and defence electronics. The core competencies of the group are founded in its strong technology base. This strength enables the group to develop internationally competitive products, provide world-class partnerships in the southern African region and add engineering value through customisation, integration and technical support.

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