South African organisations have come together to form an Internet of things (IOT) industry representative body.
In a statement, the IOT Industry Council of South Africa announced it has been formally constituted as a new industry representative body, holding its first annual general meeting on 15 March in Johannesburg.
The council brings together South African and global technology integrators, innovators and thinkers leading the evolution of the IOT in SA.
It will act as a collective voice for the IOT industry in SA, representing companies that provide devices, network connectivity, application software and systems integration services in this new technology space.
Founding members of the IOT Industry Council of South Africa are Internet Solutions, Nerospec IOT, Real Telematics Systems, Sqwidnet, Activate Group, Comsol Networks, CST Electronics, Dimension Data, Eseye, Macrocomm, Microsoft, MTN, Software AG and Vodacom.
"The IOT industry council is dedicated to helping business and public sector organisations gain insight into the capabilities that IOT technology brings," says Roger Hislop, executive head for IOT at Internet Solutions, and the newly elected chairman of the council for this coming year
"These are fundamental if we are to bring about a fourth industrial revolution in our country, to grow our economy, create new jobs, and compete with our BRICS peers. We can help those wanting to dive into this new world of IOT to develop their IOT strategy. We can connect them with relevant IOT consulting, product and services providers. We can grow confidence through best practices and a formal code of conduct.
"We see ourselves as an organisation serving the public good, promoting exciting new technologies that translate into highly effective solutions to make South Africa a better place for all."
The council says IOT is a transformational technology that can ensure South African businesses, manufacturers and agriculture producers can be globally and regionally competitive.
"Growing our own IOT technology industry opens up an incredible range of opportunities for big and small businesses alike to take great technology to the world," says Hislop.
"There are so many South African companies doing extraordinary things already; this sector can solve day-to-day operational problems for those adopting it, and create an incredible opportunity for technology export to the rest of the world."
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