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Opinion Thought leadership Plus 2015: THE YEAR DRIVE TIME FOR COMPANY NEWS OF THE FALL THE APP ECONOMY TOP JOBS FEBRUARY 2016 | Issue 16 SOFTWARE TESTING: Time to take charge.
If you’re in the IT channel, you’re probably used to the fact that IT has its own
language, and we’re not talking Cobol here.
For you, the words ‘mouse’, ‘tablets’ and ‘cloud’ have different
meanings than for most of the population. In your
world, a ‘security consultant’ is someone
who understands firewalls, not a
doorman at Teazers. And a ‘vendor’
isn’t someone who’s trying to sell
you sunglasses at the robot.
Whether you work at a vendor,
distributor, systems integrator,
value-added reseller, managed
services provider, technology
consultancy or run a computer shop,
you need to know what’s going on in the
fast-paced ICT world.
Written exclusively for the South African channel
with an independent focus, The Margin is designed
to provide you with insight into technology trends,
sales opportunities, tips on how to grow your
business and ultimately provide you with the
information you need to improve your margins.
If you want a fresh voice and different conversation
about what’s happening in the channel, The Margin speaks your
language.
To subscribe to receive The Margin magazine in
print for free, visit www.themargin.co.za today.
You can also download digital versions (PDF, or
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AN PUBLICATION
IN THIS
ISSUE
CREDITS
I n 2016, many companies will look to tighten their grip on Opinion Thought leadership Plus
2015: THE YEAR DRIVE TIME FOR COMPANY NEWS
OF THE FALL THE APP ECONOMY TOP JOBS
technology and, as is to be expected within a struggling
economy, will want be more strategic with resource application.
Publisher Agility will be the name of the game this year. It is rather FEBRUARY 2016 | Issue 16
JOVAN REGASEK surprising to note from the ITWeb/DVT Software Testing
jregasek@itweb.co.za Survey on Page 8 that while many companies rate software test
automation as a priority, few have it under control.
Editor Moreover 83% of respondents have stated their organisation
CHRIS TREDGER is not outsourcing this responsibility. And, of the number of
chris@itwebafrica.com those who are, 50% are outsourcing locally.
This reluctance to outsource is contributing to the issue of
Production Manager control, along with skills availability and cost of tools.
SINDISO KHUPE In this edition we also delve into education (and get insight
sindiso@itweb.co.za into why Mark Clarke from Jumping Bean feels there is a
crisis), the governance of data management and why the app
Designers economy is fuelling innovation. SOFTWARE TESTING:
ZACK HOOSEIN Time to take charge.
ONTIRETSE NGOLWANE Enjoy the read!
Circulation Manager Chris Tredger
CARRIE-ANN WALDECK Editor
carrie@itweb.co.za
Sales Director
ROBERT MACE
rmace@itweb.co.za
CONTENTS
Business Development Director
CARYN BERMAN
caryn@itweb.co.za
Published by
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Printed by COMPANY NEWS
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2015: THE YEAR OF THE Software 7,
FALL 2 8 Hardware 7,13
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TEST AUTOMATION Channel 18
distributed in any form or by any
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written permission of the publisher. INSIGHT Security 19,22
Opinions expressed in this publication Open Source 14 Innovation 24 Enterprise 21,28
are not necessarily those of the editors,
Governance, risk and Skills Development 25 Software 20,21,23
publisher, or advertiser.
compliance 16 Events 24 Industry Solutions 23
App economy 17 Top Jobs 25 White Paper 23
February 2016 | 01
OPINION
2015:
The year of the fall
This year's viral social media sensations were all about falling.
as transformation, imperialism and
inequality within SA's higher education
institutions.
And Rhodes did fall. About a month
after the furore began, a UCT council
voted to have it relocated.
Several months later, students across
the country joined forces once again; this
time to protest against drastic increases
in university fees. The #FeesMustFall
movement brought learning to a standstill
and saw students marching to Parliament
and the Union Buildings.
Again, their voices were heard and
government announced a 0% increase in
student fees for the 2016 academic year.
But old Rhodes wasn't the only one
who fell from grace this year. In June,
civil rights activist Rachel Dolezal was
in the news after it emerged that in her
many years working to empower black
communities across America, she had
in fact been lying about her race. Yip,
she'd been pretending to be black, when
actually she was white. Awkward.
By JOANNE CAREW Around the middle of the year, sexual
assault allegations against Bill Cosby –
I t all started with Bob Mugabe.
After addressing his supporters, the
Zimbabwean president tripped at the
coloniser Cecil John Rhodes removed from
the university's campus.
Not only was the protest movement
which had been whispered about for
years – made headlines when close to
40 women officially came forward and
bottom of a flight of stairs while leaving – dubbed #RhodesMustFall – looking to accused the US stand-up comedian and
Harare Airport. It was the fall that would have the statue taken down, but they actor of assault.
launch a thousand memes. were also keen to highlight issues such In a less scandalous, albeit decidedly
Accompanied by the hashtag dangerous, incident, professional
#MugabeFalls, images of the 90-year- surfer Mick Fanning's fall from his
old's footwork faux pas went viral. Just surfboard during the World Surf League
a handful of these saw Mugabe riding a Championship Tour in Jeffreys Bay got
broomstick, surfing, running away from As is expected, everyone talking. The reason being that
wild animals and busting a move on the the Aussie was pretty much yanked off his
dance floor.
there were more board during a rather close encounter with
Bob's little stumble was just one of than a few WTF a shark. Luckily, he escaped unharmed.
many falls that got us talking, tweeting
and tapping the share button in 2015. moments in 2015 A city falls to its knees
Plummeting from
that caused quite 2015 was a tough year for Paris. In
January, three gunmen entered the offices
their pedestals a bit of online of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo,
Locally, the year of the fall began in March killing 10 journalists and two policemen.
when students at UCT rallied together
hysteria. And as the year drew to a close, the
to have a statue commemorating British French capital was attacked yet again.
02 | February 2016
This time, the city fell victim to a series was utilised for a situation other than a caused quite a bit of online hysteria. In
of co-ordinated acts of violence. natural disaster; a move that was met February, the cause of this hysteria was
The mass shootings and suicide with a mixed response. a dress. But not just any dress – a dress
bombings at various locations across Similarly, Twitter users living in Paris that appeared gold and white to some
Paris left 130 people dead and roughly employed the hashtag #PorteOuverte and black and blue to others. I believe
368 people injured. (meaning open doors) as a means to offer the whole thing has something to do
In the wake of the attacks, Parisians and refuge to those in need. with our genes and resultant differing
global citizens turned to social media to retinas, but frankly, I'm glad we've
show their support for those who were Society's stopped debating it.
affected by the violence. Facebook allowed stumbling sanity If it was possible for political figures
users to "check in" as safe following the As is expected, there were more than to fall any further in our esteem, it
attacks. This was the first time the feature a few WTF moments in 2015 that happened this year. Our ever-dwindling
faith in the fact that politicians have
our best interests at heart took a further
dive on the night of the 2015 State of the
Nation address.
Local journalists were hamstrung
during president Jacob Zuma's speech,
when cellphone reception in Parliament
was jammed, preventing them from
filing their stories.
Come June, global politics was
greeted with a new player, when Donald
Trump announced his candidacy for
president of the United States. Yes, the
same guy who wants to build a wall to
keep Mexicans out of the US and once
championed global warming because
some cities are just too darn cold is now
vying for a seat in the oval office. Oy vey.
From fashion to fakes, politics to
protests – 2015 has certainly seen a
number of things taking a tumble.
Perhaps 2016 will be the year we pick
things back up?
03 | February 2016
COMPANY NEWS
BUSINESS
BT-SA joins Aruba First Distribution
PartnerEdge Program launches
Local systems integrator BT-SA has partnered with Aruba, a Cloud Catalyst
Hewlett Packard Enterprise company and global leader in wireless Programme
communication solutions. As a member of Aruba's PartnerEdge Leader in cloud technology
Program, which is a global community of qualified solution distribution, First Distribution,
providers who design, resell, and deliver Aruba's innovative has launched its aptly named
access management, network infrastructure and mobility Cloud Catalyst Programme in
application products and services, BT-SA can now deliver January 2016. Aimed at assisting
enterprise WLAN solutions for remote offices, guest or hotspot partners in their journey to the
access, and high-density venues, regardless of the type of user cloud through four key areas,
device or location. Aruba gives businesses a single infrastructure the Cloud Catalyst Programme
solution that links their campus and remote environments with enables partners to benefit from
secure mobile access to corporate resources. this programme regardless
www.bt-sa.co.za of their current level of cloud
involvement.
MobileData part of SA’s Kevin Derman, First Distribution www.firstdistribution.co.za
nation builder community
MobileData, an established technology service provider focused Ready for digital M-Files
on payment facilitation and prepaid electronic value distribution, transformation? recognised in
has confirmed its membership to the South African Nation Change is inevitable! The world 2015 Magic
Builder initiative. Nation Builder is a Muthobi initiative bringing is constantly changing and those Quadrant
together key stakeholders, including government, business and that are ready to accept the M-Files, a provider of solutions
society, to affect positive change through social investment. The change will continue to survive. that dramatically improve how
focus is on utilising business as a primary vehicle for change in According to IDC, in 2016, the enterprises manage documents
society by harnessing talent, business acumen and resources to biggest issues in IT leadership and other information,
create sustainable social leadership. As a member, MobileData is will centre on business needs, announced the company has
empowered with resources, including electronic newsletters, access capabilities and availability been included by Gartner in
to blogs and specialist publications, that will help it make decisions related to digital transformation. the 2015 Magic Quadrant for
that not only lead to increased profit, but also to greater purpose. Businesses will need to stay Enterprise Content Management.
www.mobile-data.co.za focused on agility, rapid growth According to Gartner's 2015 Magic
and scale in order to stay Quadrant for Enterprise Content
competitive. Today, traditional Management: "The ECM market
business models are being grew 6.2% in 2014 to a worldwide
threatened and overtaken by revenue of $5.4 billion. First-time
digitally transformed business implementations, mobility-based
models. Digital disruption upgrades and composite content
has happened. CHM Vuwani, applications (CCAs) helped drive
together with BMC Software, continuous double-digit growth
believes it has the necessary during 2014 in the regions of Asia/
technology tools and resources Pacific, Greater China, and Middle
to transform your business. East and Africa."
www.chmvuwani.co.za www.deltalink.co.za
Ericsson enables change-makers
At AfricaCom 2015, Ericsson demonstrated its commitment to
Silvio Kutic, Infobip
enabling innovators in the Networked Society, as well as the impact
Infobip crowned best A2P SMS its latest technologies and services can have in unlocking new
provider business opportunities for its customers, businesses and society in
Leading messaging and mobile services provider Infobip announced it general. Visitors to the Ericsson AHUB had the opportunity to engage
has won the Best A2P SMS Provider award at the Capacity Messaging with Ericsson experts, who demonstrated a range of innovative
and SMS World Awards. From a group of the most established SMS solutions that are designed to enable change-makers in areas such
providers, Infobip was selected as a result of its industry standing, as mobility, broadband and the cloud, creating the foundation
its fresh approach to operator partnerships through the business as a for new ecosystems and transformation across industries such as
service model, and upcoming innovative products. transportation, education and even entertainment.
www.infobip.co.za www.ericsson.com
04 | February 2016
COMPANY NEWS
BUSINESS
Celebrations at Next-generation
IITPSA President’s Awards courier service
Engen's Peter du Plooy walked away with the Visionary CIO app on global
title for 2015, and Vumatel's Niel Schoeman scooped the coveted scale
IT Personality award at last year's IITPSA President's Awards On-demand local shipping
competition. The winners were announced at the Institute of start-up Fastvan just made its
Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) services accessible to a much
President's Awards, held at the Hilton Hotel, in Sandton, on wider audience by launching its
12 November. Both awards are presented by the IITPSA, in app on the Apple App Store and
association with ITWeb, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, on Android via the Google Play
and Gartner Africa. In his welcome address, Tony Parry, CEO Store. It plans to revolutionise
of the IITPSA, said the IITPSA is celebrating 58 years of proudly and reinvent the industry of
South African service to its members. logistics in SA by moving the
www.itweb.co.za entire system online.
www.fastvan.com FastVan
UCS provides iMbasa
Tank to Bank unleashes Yealink, Mind announce co-operation
solutions hidden Yealink, the global leading unified communication (UC) terminal
UCS Technology Services is the potential solution provider, and Mind, one of the leading Russian developers
leading service provider to fuel Today's IT environments of video collaboration software, have announced that Yealink's video
retailers in southern Africa. have become so complex collaboration offerings, including the VC400 room system for head
Its Tank to Bank offering that in most enterprises offices and the VC120 for branch office as well as the SIP VP-T49G
addresses the complete the biggest chunk of IT desktop video phone, are now fully compatible with Mind's Soft MCU.
forecourt environment budget is spent just keeping The interoperability announcement marks the successful beginning
and convenience store the lights on. The average of cooperation between Yealink and Mind. Founded in 2010, Mind
environment through a wide company spends about offers multifunctional, easy-to-use and highly customisable
range of solutions and services. three-quarters (75%) of its videoconferencing solutions for customers in Russia and beyond.
The South African fuel IT budget on integration, www.yealink.com
environment is complex and maintenance, and routine
competitive: demands on the tasks, which are often Noise – the Avaya,
fuel retailers to introduce new outsourced from different not-so-silent Plantronics
services and offer faster service companies. iMbasa IT productivity expand strategic
places a strong requirement helps companies shift killer partnership
on integrated automation that spending balance by Workplace noise is a serious issue Avaya and Plantronics
throughout the site. This is helping them simplify their and should not be taken lightly. have announced a new co-
true for large corporates, IT environment so they The World Health Organisation development initiative to address
independent fuel retailers, and can free up time, money Europe's 2011 report: "Burden the growing need for simplified
multi-site owners. Consumers and resources to invest of disease from environmental communications in contact centre
demand convenience and in innovation and career noise", analyses the relationship and unified communications
speedy service. development. between environmental noise (UC) environments. The first
www.ucsts.com www.imbasa.co.za and health. The estimated cost of initiative under this expanded
noise in Europe alone was $30.8 relationship is focused on
Kyocera clinches Service Award billion a year after calculating ensuring compatibility and
Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa (KDZA), a country cost of lost workdays, healthcare tight integration between select
level subsidiary of a world-leading document solutions company, treatment, impaired learning Plantronics headsets and Avaya's
Kyocera Document Solutions, has brought home the gold in the and decreased productivity Chrome-based contact centre
eighth annual Kyocera Service Awards. "Out of 1 134 participants due to noise. To back up this apps, including Avaya Agent
from nine countries across Europe, Gideon Fraser, of KDZA's staggering figure, a recent survey for Chrome and Customer
Mpumalanga Copiers, was awarded first place in this year's commissioned by Plantronics Engagement OnAvaya – Google
Kyocera Service Awards," says Paul Wendlandt, CSSD manager revealed 89% of British office Cloud Platform. With this
at Kyocera Document Solutions SA. "Fraser, a service engineer workers stated office noise has powerful combination in play,
for Mpumalanga Copiers, one of KDZA's channel partners, is an adverse effect on the quality contact centre agents will enjoy
dedicated to offering quality service and support on all Kyocera of their work. They are not alone seamless voice and non-voice
devices, and so this award is both fitting and well-deserved." – 96.5% agreed in Germany and interactions with customers,
www.kyoceradocumentsolutions.co.za 93.5% in France. including chat, e-mail and SMS.
www.plantronics.com www.plantronics.com
05 | February 2016
COMPANY NEWS
BUSINESS
TIBCO positioned as leader in TomTom, House StorTech
Master Data Management of the Future changing the
TIBCO Software, a global leader in integration, analytics, and event partner on face of SA’s
processing, announced it has been positioned for the third year in a row #Cocreate ICT sector
as a leader by Gartner, in both the "Magic Quadrant for Master Data TomTom Africa is proud to StorTech as an enterprise
Management (MDM) of Customer Data Solutions" and "Magic Quadrant announce its association is geared towards bringing
for Master Data Management of Product Data Solutions" reports. with the Embassy of the more value to its end
According to both reports, Magic Quadrant leaders "have strong results Kingdom of the Netherlands customers. It has been a
and strong delivery capabilities, and they will continue to have them. and House of the Future. level 2 B-BBEE company for
They typically possess a large, satisfied customer base (relative to the House of the Future some time now, but with
size of the market) and enjoy high visibility in the market. took place between 16 the recent change in its
www.tibco.co.za and 20 November 2015 shareholding, the company
at the Turbine Hall, in has become 53.7% black-
New hardware Johannesburg, where key owned, of which 32.9% are
product manager for Kyocera SA thought leaders and industry black women. This puts
Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa has appointed Brandon stakeholders came together StorTech well above the
Zabielski as its new hardware product manager for A4 solutions. In his to generate solutions for larger ICT companies when
new role, Zabielski will drive the growth of the group's A4 printing shared challenges in the it comes to preferential
portfolio. Zabielski has extensive experience in the printing and health, logistics, energy, procurement points.
document solutions market, encompassing business disciplines such as agri-food and water sectors. StorTech clients will now
finance, marketing, and supply chain management. The five-day festival of receive almost four times
www.kyoceradocumentsolutions.co.za economic and cultural more value in terms of
events revolved around procurement points, based
the question: how can we on the new DTI codes. As
#CocreateSA? House of the a business, it has always
Future also hosted high- been focused on serving
profile events on education its customers through
and entrepreneurship. innovation.
www.tomtom.com www.stortech.co.za
Telkom Foundation
facilitates job-hunting training
The Telkom Foundation recently offered training to thousands
of young people in Mamelodi, to assist in giving them the basic
skills they need in order to access job opportunities. The Telkom
The Innovation Hub recognises South Africa’s talent. Connected Youth project saw 300 staff volunteers from Telkom
SA’s top innovators, assisting young people, aged between 18 and 35, to write up
entrepreneurs celebrated CVs and set up free e-mail addresses. "We live in an increasingly
The best innovators and entrepreneurs across the country gathered at The digital society which offers great convenience in many areas
Innovation Hub on Friday, 20 November 2015, for the Biotech Fundi and of our lives but it's also made it harder for jobseekers to access
Gauteng Accelerator Programme (GAP) Innovation Competitions Awards opportunities if they're not online," said Jacqui O'Sullivan,
2015 during the Global Entrepreneurship Week. In its fourth year running, Managing Executive Group Communications and PR for Telkom.
the GAP innovation competitions have attracted more than 1 000 entries www.telkom.co.za
across the province of Gauteng and also from the rest of South Africa.
www.theinnovationhub.com
USAASA delivers on
Danger of silo mentality digital broadcasting mandate
Almost every business should know by now the danger of a silo mentality! The Universal Services and Access Agency of South Africa
How do multi-platform elements fall prey to silo processes? Either poor (USAASA) has delivered direct-to-home (DTH) and digital
organisational or departmental leadership, resulting in inappropriate terrestrial television (DTT) set-top boxes (STBs) to the people of
decisions around what tools the business really needs, which then the Northern Cape. The STBs were handed to the beneficiaries at
becomes the catalyst for the second cause, the fundamental misuse of the the STB roll-out launch that was hosted on 17 December 2015 by
infrastructure library (ITIL). As Sintrex’s Emile Biagio explains, It's so easy the Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi, in Keimoes,
to add elements to networks and platforms because they've been sold as Northern Cape. On 4 August 2014, the Board of USAASA and USAF
"convenient" or potentially "essential", but after closer inspection, these approved a procurement process of acquiring the services of an
tools usually turn out to be totally irrelevant and/or unnecessary in the independent professional service provider to conduct the tender
process management or actual business needs of the organisation. evaluation on the broadcasting digital migrations (BDM) project.
www.sintrex.com www.usaasa.org.za
06 | February 2016
COMPANY NEWS
BUSINESS & SOFTWARE
Telkom mobile revenue, cost Smarter communications for
efficiencies spur half-year earnings Childline thanks to Plantronics
Telkom’s interim results for the six months ended 30 September Audio technology company, Plantronics, has partnered with
2015 reflected the company’s continued efforts to transform Childline South Africa to donate 49 headset devices to all the crisis
itself and stabilise revenue. Operating revenue increased by line counsellors in Childline's call centres across the provinces.
5.5% compared to the same period in 2014, spurred on by the "Instead of focusing our Corporate Social Investment efforts
continuing growth in the mobile business. Mobile service and on a small group of beneficiaries only, we decided to invest in
subscription revenue increased by 41%, which included excellent an organisation like Childline, which, through its nationwide
growth in mobile data revenue of 69%. "We are pleased with the footprint, is able to help many more children than we could have
improved performance of our mobile business and our multi- ever tried to reach on our own," says Duncan Barnes, Plantronics
year cost efficiency programme, and will continue with these Lead: sub-Saharan Africa. “We believe that our children are the
initiatives to bring about further improvements," said Telkom CEO future of South Africa, and it is important for us to do everything
Sipho Maseko. we can to protect their rights and keep them safe.”
www.telkom.co.za www.plantronics.com
Gauteng Premier engages Smart home pioneer
innovators, business community digitalSTROM makes IOTA final
On 10 December 2015 Gauteng Premier David Makhura, together Smart home provider digitalSTROM was one of three finalists in the
with members of the Executive Council, engaged innovation Internet of Things Awards (IOTA) Smart Home category, organised by the
incubates and the business community at The Innovation Hub. publisher of Total Telecom, according to TIBCO Software, a global leader
The aim of the event was to facilitate engagement between in integration, analytics, and event processing. Swiss-German company
government, technology companies based at the science park digitalSTROM, which is pioneering a new era in intelligent living,
as well as the business community on the role of innovation in joined industry giants Orange and Nest on the shortlist for Smart Home
business. The event formed part of the province's vision to realise Initiative, which recognises the solutions that are driving innovation and
the transformation, modernisation and reindustrialisation of sustainability in this space and making a significant impact.
Gauteng. This initiative falls closely within the transformation www.tibco.co.za
pillar of the vision.
www.theinnovationhub.com Total control with Tyco’s
exacqVision 7.4
Gen2 Enterprise Exacq Technologies, part of the Security Products business unit of
Software SA’s new partnership Tyco, introduces a native integration with DSC PowerSeries Neo
Gen2 Enterprise Software SA, authorised reseller for Computron intrusion system. exacqVision version 7.4 video management system
Enterprise Financial Software in SA and Africa, has announced the (VMS) software also includes new health set-up indicators, filtering,
company has signed up with TrendLight Procure-to-Pay (P2P) as CameraLinks in Exacq Mobile and enhanced server management in
a partner/reseller for its comprehensive, Web-based P2P solution Enterprise System Manager (ESM), a health monitoring program for
that manages the entire procurement cycle from requisition to use with exacqVision Enterprise network video recorders (NVRs).
payment. Gen2 Enterprise Software is a provider of recognised The new DSC PowerSeries Neo integration combines intrusion into
solutions in enterprise financials, reporting, budgeting and the exacqVision VMS software for seamless operation and simplified
analysis software with complete flexibility in delivery, including security management. With the existing Kantech access control
on-premises, hosted, and pure SaaS solutions. In recent years, a integration introduced in exacqVision 7.2, exacqVision users can
shift in the focus on spend control and the demands on today's manage and control their complete security system.
procurement departments, has made securing a proficient www.tycosecurityproducts.com
procurement management system a top priority.
www.gen2enterpriseservices.co.za
HARDWARE
Use social media
to boost customer relationships
Social media is redefining how organisations engage with their Communication tools that think
customers and vice versa. Jennifer Mbesa, HR manager at RDB Long gone are the days when we shut down our computers or
Consulting, a database and operating systems outsourcing company, send calls to voicemail when the clock strikes five. Our work
says outsourcers need to take advantage of the success and impact of and private life is one big melting pot. We take client calls
business-oriented social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter from the car, consult with the boss while on the treadmill at
to differentiate themselves from the competition. "Customer data the gym and socialise at work through social media channels.
and feedback provides companies with the enhanced ability to Plantronics expanded its portfolio of wireless headsets for unified
analyse upcoming trends and to innovate," says Mbesa. "In addition, communications (UC) with a new smart headset: the Voyager
real-time customer engagement allows for deeper relationships Focus UC. The message? Unwanted noise is a real problem and we
to be built, and for companies to share valuable information and need to use appropriate audio communication tools that equip us
insights with their customers.” for an enjoyable and efficient working day.
www.rdbconsulting.com www.plantronics.com
07 | February 2016
ITWEB/DVT SOFTWARE TESTING SURVEY
By SUZANNE FRANCO
Test automation scores high
despite challenges
Lack of skills, high cost of tools, reluctance to outsource are the key
issues for local businesses when it comes to software test automation.
testers still need to cover of tool licences is not an automation
all potential risk areas solution. It is potentially part of a solution
from a regression testing but not the whole solution. The following
perspective. Without of good practices around automation
automation the likelihood of is also very important. Hard coding of
finding regression defects in data is unacceptable. Providers must
production will increase. The apply internal quality assurance to test
cost of automation is not only automation. At DVT we have a 10 point
based on the tool licenses, quality check that all scripters must
but also the salaries of the adhere to.”
automation team, and the Matthee also believes that a proven
effort to maintain the scripts delivery methodology must be applied to
should changes be made to test automation, such as, SCRUM.
the application under test,” “Having the capability to execute scripts
Matthee explains. in parallel increases in importance when
Then there is also the the regression packs increase in size.
cost of losing and replacing Maintenance of scripts should not result in
domain knowledge where a complete refactor of the solution (subject
an organisation had a key to the changes in the system). Knowledge
man dependency. In these management is key to ensure the project
cases, Matthee believes that continues even if the team composition
automation loses momentum changes. A provider should assign a single
and can ultimately fail due point of contact with clear escalation
to the lack of attention to paths to senior management to ensure ease
the project. of communication,” he says.
The case for
outsourcing
MARIO MATTHEE, Head: Global Testing Centre & SQA It is not surprising that only WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO
Professional Services (Western Cape) at DVT. a small percentage (7%) YOUR ORGANISATION WHEN
of respondents said test IT COMES TO SOFTWARE TEST
automation is not adding real AUTOMATION?
W
The 2015 Software Testing Survey was run online
hile most companies rate software value. Finding test automation skilled staff
on ITWeb for a period of two weeks in October to
test automation as high priority, emerged as the top challenge (37%). determine:
few have it under control. This was one A large majority of respondents (83%)
of the key findings of the recent software indicated their organisation is currently 1
How important is software test automation to
testing survey, which was carried out not outsourcing test automation. Of those organisations;
among ITWeb readers in partnership with who are, 50% are outsourcing to a local 2 Weather test automation is being outsourced;
software development house DVT. vendor at their premises. 3 What challenges organisations are facing in test
Mario Matthee, head of Global Testing Matthee believes there are many automation.
Centre & SQA Professional Services at DVT benefits to be derived from outsourcing
WHO RESPONDED
Western Cape), says the survey results are software testing to South African
° A total of 183 respondents completed the survey.
insightful in understanding software test companies, including job creation for ° Almost half (48%) are at middle management
automation as a practice in South Africa. South Africans, no issues with time zones, or executive management level; 32% are IT
“Test automation is very important and no issues with communication/ staff, while the rest of the sample is made up of It
consultants.
especially when software is developed language/cultural barriers.
° Sixteen percent are from large companies with
using an agile methodology. Developers “Providers should be tool agnostic and between 1000 - 4999 employees, while 20% are
are geared to deliver code faster, and the solutions focussed,” says Matthee. “Selling from multinationals with over 5 000 employees.
08 | February 2016ITWEB/DVT SOFTWARE TESTING SURVEY
WHAT'S THE STATE OF SOFTWARE TEST AUTOMATION IN YOUR COMPANY?
41%
MOST COMPANIES NEED TEST AUTOMATION CAPABILITY,
BUT FEW HAVE IT UNDER CONTROL.
29%
16%
8%
6%
Have it but we Don't have any Have it well Don't have any Tried it but it
face challenges but need it under control and don't need it didn't work
HOW MUCH OF A PRIORITY IS SOFTWARE ARE YOU CURRENTLY OUTSOURCING
TEST AUTOMATION? TEST AUTOMATION?
Critical Low Yes
13% 18% 17%
High Medium No
33% 36% 83%
46% OF RESPONDENTS RATE TEST AUTOMATION
AS A HIGH OR CRITICAL PRIORITY.
WOULD YOU OUTSOURCE TEST AUTOMATION
TO A SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIALIST PROVIDER?
WHY WOULD YOU NOT OUTSOURCE TO
A SOUTH AFRICAN PROVIDER?
MANY UNSURE AS TO WHETHER OR
NOT TO OPT FOR OUTSOURCING TEST 81%
AUTOMATION IN SA.
36%
30%
28%
THE MAIN REASON FOR NOT
OUTSOURCING IS A LACK OF DIRECT
RELEVANCE TO BUSINESS NEEDS
7% 11%
7%
Maybe Yes, I would No Already outsourced Not appropriate for They don't have sufficient test They don'y have the
consider it to an SA provider my company's needs automation skills or experience necessary work ethic
09 | February 2016ITWEB/DVT SOFTWARE TESTING SURVEY
SOFTWARE TESTING SURVEY
WHAT CHALLENGES ARE YOU CURRENTLY FACING IN TEST AUTOMATION?
37% FINDING SKILLED TEST
Finding skilled staff
AUTOMATION STAFF IS THE
BIGGEST CHALLENGE.
Commercial tools
too expensive
29%
Not sure how to approach
test automation in Agile 26%
Vendors selling licenses
and not solutions 24%
Open source tools 23%
too complex
Test automation 16%
salaries too high
Too many tools 15%
to pick from
Our software cannot
be automated
13%
Our automation solution 9%
is not scalable
Test automation
not adding real value 7%
WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A SERVICE PROVIDER?
25% 24%
15%
11% 10%
8% 8%
Innovation in Large pool of Use of an Better pricing Developing skills Other Work ethic
test automation specialist Agile approach than international in Africa
automation skills providers
INNOVATION AND SKILLS ARE TOP OF MIND.
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Underwriters; Timo Goosen, OWASP; Francis Cronje,
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11 | February 2016COMPANY NEWS
TELECOMS
WEC unites with Ericsson in Rwanda Additional services
Worldwide E-Learning Campus (WEC) in Rwanda has launched a to Instacom’s product suite
partnership with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) to develop professional Instacom's "Push to Suite" is setting the standard for world-class
ICT competencies within the country. This programme started communication, management and tracking solutions. Quality
1 November 2015, and targets more than 10 000 students from information will empower your team to manage time more
different academic institutions across Rwanda. It adopts a accurately and work more efficiently wherever they are. Instacom’s
blended learning approach and aims to improve the skillsets of real-time mobile solutions work across multiple platforms and
ICT professionals, increasing employability in the ICT industry networks. Instacom's "Push to Suite" facilitates effective, clear and
and ensuring long-term capacity development in alignment secure communication across different media and is tailored to fit
with the SMART Rwanda digital education mandate. WEC is a specific organisations. Instacom’s high-tech mobile workflow and
progressive higher learning institution endorsed by the Workforce tracking systems were developed to optimise business efficiency and
Development Authority (WDA), the Rwandan Ministry of eliminate redundant processes. Information is gathered, analysed
Education's agency responsible for providing a strategic response and delivered instantly. Push to Talk, an instant message, is the
to the skills development challenges facing the country across all only alternative to any two-way radio offering, breaking line of site
sectors of the economy. boundaries and making costly infrastructure maintenance obsolete.
www.ericsson.com www.pushtotalk.co.za
Yealink expands one-stop Telkom extends
video conferencing solutions SmartBroadband offering
Yealink, the global leading unified communication (UC) terminal Telkom recently announced it will be extending its
solution provider, introduced three new additions to its one-stop SmartBroadband Uncapped High Speed Wireless packages focusing
video conferencing solutions: the VC110 All-in-One Videoconferencing on select LTE base stations across 520 sites in the Eastern Cape,
Endpoint, the SIP VP-T49G HD Touch Screen Video Phone and its VC Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga,
Desktop software. With these new releases, Yealink's one-stop video North West and Western Cape. This is an extension of the original
conferencing solution now covers full usage scenarios for businesses, phase and it will be available until 30 June 2016. Customers will
including head office meeting rooms (the VC400), mid-sized and small be able to access this offer through Telkom's online channels, at
meeting rooms of branch offices (the VC120 and the VC110), desktop video Telkom stores or via Telkom's direct sales force, on a 24-month
(the T49G) and mobile video (with its VC Desktop software). Yealink's contract, at prices starting at R599. These packages are being rolled
video conference offerings support on-premises deployment and are out to other areas in South Africa on the back of its success in
certified interoperable with multiple leading cloud-based platforms. Gauteng since its launch in June 2015.
www.evenflow.co.za www.telkom.co.za
Telkom’s Cell C deal off the table FreeSWITCh for USAASA, USAF
In November 2015, by mutual agreement, Telkom and Oger Telecoms Yealink chairperson
ended all discussions related to the potential purchase of Cell C Leading unified communication resigns
by Telkom. Through Telkom's engagement with Oger Telecoms in (UC) terminal solution provider At the beginning of December
relation to Cell C, it became clear there is a difference between the Yealink has announced its latest the Chairperson of the Boards
parties on the assessment of value of the proposed transaction. As no phone array for FreeSWITCH, of USAASA and USAF –
agreement was reached, Telkom and Oger Telecoms agreed to end all a scalable open source cross- Pumla Radebe –tendered her
discussions. Shareholders were notified of this decision, through the platform telephony platform resignation to the Minister of
withdrawal of Telkom's cautionary announcement, issued via SENS. (FS version 1.4.20-34~64bit). Telecommunications and Postal
www.telkom.co.za Yealink's compatible phone Services. Radebe first chaired the
offerings include selected models boards of USAASA and USAF in
T2 series IP phones from its T4 series of ultra-elegant September 2012, and was pivotal
certified, Yealink announces IP phones (the SIP-T42G, the in turning around the ailing entity.
Yealink, the global leading unified communication (UC) terminal SIP-T46G and the SIP-T48G), Together with the boards she led,
solution provider, and Centile Telecom Applications, the leading the entry-level phone SIP-T21P USAASA produced the first ICT
European developer of unified communications and fixed- E2, and the W52P wireless access gap analysis, which has
mobile convergence platforms for operators, have announced the DECT phone. As the world's since informed the integrated
certification of T2 series IP phones with ISTRA platform enabling first cross-platform scalable broadband deployments the
service providers to deliver business-class unified communications free multi-protocol soft switch, agency has undertaken in recent
solutions to business customers. The Yealink IP Phone T2 series FreeSWITCH is designed to years. Of her resignation, Radebe
represents the next generation of VOIP phones specifically designed route and interconnect popular says: "It has been a trying road I
for business users who need rich telephony features, a friendly communication protocols using have travelled together with my
user-interface and superb voice quality. The seamless integration audio, video, text, or any other former and current colleagues. We
with Centile ISTRA platform enables service providers to offer robust form of media. Yealink and have stood our ground; we have
and cost-effective unified communications (UC) and fixed-mobile FreeSWITCH first announced their stayed the course to get the entity
convergence (FMC) services to business customers. partnership in 2013. to its current position.”
www.yealink.com www.yealink.com www.usaasa.org.za
12 | February 2016COMPANY NEWS HARDWARE EET Europarts expands Datapath selects EET Europarts with CashPOS acquisition World-leading innovator of video graphics, video capture and EET Europarts has in recent years built up a strong position display wall technology, Datapath has appointed EET Europarts as within the POS and Auto ID business area, partly on the basis an official distributor of its products. The deal, which was effective 1 of acquisitions and partly through the formation of strategic December 2015, encompasses most of Europe and parts of Africa. The distribution agreements with a number of leading brands and distribution agreement is part of EET Europarts' determined strategy companies in the field. CashPOS Systems AS was founded in 2004 to become a leading distributor of products and solutions for the Pro- and has specialised in the sale of products and solutions for the AV & Digital Signage business. "Datapath is a world-leading innovator POS (point of sales) market. "We have made great progress in our in the field of computer graphics and video wall display technology, POS and Auto ID business in recent years, both in expansion of the and EET Europarts is a reputable multichannel distributor, so this product range and with the addition of many new brands," says agreement will prove beneficial to both parties," says Claus Calmar, CEO John Thomas, EET Group. business manager, Pro-AV & Digital Signage at EET Group. za.eetgroup.com za.eetgroup.com Yealink releases Introducing Epson’s desktop phone portfolio latest A3+ pro-photo printer Yealink, the global leading unified communication (UC) terminal Epson's latest A3+ pro-photo printer combines a lightweight, stylish solution provider, is pleased to announce the company's desktop and compact design with many features for creating professional- phone portfolio for Microsoft Skype for Business Online as part of quality prints on a range of media. Combining pigment inks and Office 365 is in the final phase of development, and is planned to advanced connectivity features in one affordable package, the Epson launch in the first quarter of 2016. As a certified Microsoft Gold SC-P400 printer is ideal for amateur photographers and photography Communications Competency Hardware Partner, Yealink works enthusiasts alike. Vernon Mellors, LFP product manager of Epson SA, closely with Microsoft to deliver a phone portfolio with effortless says: "Adding to our range of Sure-Color pro-photo desktop printers, deployment, easy usage and minimal learning costs. Yealink's the Epson SC-P400 is ideal for users who want to create professional phones for Microsoft Office 365, including the T40P, T41P, T42G, results when using a range of media. As well as offering superior T46G, T48G, and more, feature HD voice, a Modern Skype for connectivity options and versatile media printing, it comes with the Business interface and rich phone functions. most affordable pigment ink-set on the market.” www.evenflow.co.za www.epson.co.za Plantronics Smooth Tyco Security fine-tunes and effortless Products DECT wireless mobile POS introduces headsets In the African market, iSTAR Ultra Plantronics has announced mobile technology reigns SE a new capability that makes supreme. Now retailers across Tyco Security Products, it simple for enterprise IT the continent can access part of Tyco, the world's managers to audit and deploy mobile point of sale (POS) largest pure-play fire security and compliance technology through Star's protection and security enhancements to DECT all-in-one Bluetooth printer company, introduces wireless headsets across an and cash drawer mobile iSTAR Ultra SE iSTAR Ultra SE, a special organisation. This industry- point of purchase solution, edition iSTAR Ultra door first capability of Plantronics available from the Printer controller that supports up to 32 readers, and combines iSTAR Ultra Manager Pro makes it Distribution Company (PDC). features with a ‘Pro mode' that ensures flexibility and compatibility fast and easy for IT and Frikkie Koegelenberg, CCO with all Software House systems. network security managers of PDC, says the mobile point www.tycosecurityproducts.com to ensure compliance with of purchase solution provides the latest DECT security outstanding connectivity Easy digital receipting firmware enhancements. and a compact design, while Retailers using the Star TSP100 printer driver now have access to Instead of cumbersome, intuitive functionality and Star Micronics' digital receipting service, AllReceipts. Available time-consuming processes simple integration define in the African market through the Printer Distribution Company that are typically involved, Star's unique solution – (PDC), AllReceipts offers retailers a free-of-charge, fast route IT managers gain mPOP. The lightweight and to providing the customer with a digital copy of a print receipt unprecedented simplicity, portable solution is just as well as access to analytics, an in-store customer survey and control and visibility 10cm high and 30cm wide, device management tools. "Digital receipting eliminates the of deployments with and the mPOP with front- issues typically associated with e-mail receipting, including the Plantronics Manager Pro, feed receipting can easily be time taken to record e-mail addresses and the potential problem the company's cloud-based secured under the counter for that these could be taken down incorrectly," explains Frikkie device management platform. enhanced space-saving. Koegelenberg, CCO of PDC. www.plantronics.com www.tpdc.co.za www.tpdc.co.za 13 | February 2016
INDUSTRY INSIGHT: OPEN SOURCE
Education in crisis
The fast pace of change in the digital age exacerbates the
challenges faced by tertiary institutions.
C aught between spiralling costs and
the mismatch between the output
of educational institutions and industry
transgressions. Now, it has completely
ignored mobile and the cloud revolution.
The Internet of things tidal wave will likely
requirements, education is in crisis. This is also go unnoticed.
not just the case in SA, as evidenced by the It is no longer sufficient to cover
#feesmustfall campaign, but the world over. Microsoft and Cisco certifications only.
At educational conferences, concerned A well-prepared IT professional needs to
educators discuss the causes of the crisis know about Linux too. Linux is the power
and possible solutions with a growing behind the cloud, open source and the
sense of urgency. Although the problem is Internet of things.
well known, no one has a solution and no With the major cloud providers running
one can provide a coherent explanation or Linux and with the vast majority of cloud
narrative as to its causes. instances being Linux images, not knowing
There are plenty of knee-jerk solutions. Linux as an entry-level IT professional
For example, one of the favourite is a recipe for unemployment. It means
"challenges" identified is the generation graduates will battle to find a job or they
gap. There's the requirement to keep the will be woefully unprepared when they do,
attention of millennials and younger, who, despite the fact that they've paid a lot of
it is said, are not tolerant of boring things. MARK CLARKE,
money for an IT qualification.
They need everything in 140 characters or Chief Technology Officer at Jumping Bean. Corporates expect graduates to already
two-minute YouTube video clips to remain have entry-level skills required for a job,
engaged, like petulant children, and this much like being able to read and write;
is paramount. Education must become a increasingly, these skills include Linux.
Teletubbies episode or be gamified. Dark Age schooling Corporates are unwilling to train graduates in
In the IT sector, for example, it seems the basics, given their experiences of entry-
Reality bites tertiary training institutions are level personnel job-hopping several times in
For a corporate trying to sell the next completely unaware of the massive shifts the first 12-36 months of their careers.
shiny gadget, perhaps this goldfish that have occurred in the IT industry The question remains: why are vocational
attention span is something that needs since 2003. It missed the open source training institutions so slow to change their
to be accepted and adapted to, and could revolution, which even has the likes of curriculum to the demands of the market?
even be encouraged to sell more things. Microsoft – arch enemy of open source – Many schools, for example, offer Java
However, educators should be wondering on its knees asking for forgiveness for past training but focus on Java Standard Edition
how they can prepare their students for and Java Desktop application development,
the reality of adult life. The hope is that despite the fact that Java is predominantly a
parents are doing their bit here too. server-side technology.
The crisis of education is resulting in I suspect one of the main contributors to
many students opting for vocational curriculum irrelevance is the monumental
training, and is placing increasing pressure task of having to constantly update course
on universities to become more "relevant".
This usually means pressure to abandon
Education content, find qualified trainers to keep
up with the fast-moving IT space, while
their higher education goals, which would must become maintaining some kind of standard.
be a tragic mistake. If training institutions are not responsive
Despite high school leavers opting for a Teletubbies to the needs of the economy, it is up to
vocational training in increasing numbers, students themselves to be more diligent
the gap between business requirements episode or be in choosing their courses and training
and skills acquired remains. Some of the institutions. Students should do their
responsibility lies with the mismatch of the gamified research into what is in demand in the
vocation training curriculum to the trade marketplace, and carefully consider the
or vocation students are being trained for. curriculum content of training providers
before selecting a school.
14 | February 2016ITWeb’s 11th Annual
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15 | February 2016INDUSTRY INSIGHT: GOVERNANCE, RISK AND COMPLIANCE
Data under governance
magnifying glass
Governance of data management ensures the best state of data
is available for effective corporate performance management.
Governance of data management is management team, each with their own style
extremely important, not only to ensure the and interpretation on best practice, governance
best state of data is available for effective minimises uncertainty, ambiguity, and
corporate performance management. It also conflict through a standard framework for
ensures data is being used optimally by those management to enable effective performance
authorised to access the data, and that they, management across all functions.
then, only do with the data what they are In smaller companies that may have a higher
mandated to do. turnover of managers, effective governance
again provides continuity and protects the
Spot the difference operational momentum of the company by
So, what is the difference between preventing "going back to the drawing board"
governance and management? Why does every time a new manager takes over.
it feel like management responsibilities are
pushed to the backburner, while governance Clear and present data
is elevated to the top priority? Data governance, in its simplest form, just
The CIO Magazine clearly distinguishes aims to make the implicit rules – which already
between management and governance: exist regarding data management – explicit,
"Management is the decisions you make; and ensure it aligns with basic conditions
YOLANDA SMIT, governance is the structure for making them."[1] and legislation. It also promotes alignment
strategic BI manager at PBT Group. with industry best practices according to the
company's appetite.
It seems overwhelming if one starts
A fter the 2008 global financial crisis, a
spotlight was turned on that illuminated
the shortcomings of fundamental corporate
Governance minimises
to research the idea of setting up a data
governance programme, and discovering
the sheer volume of frameworks, policies,
governance practices. From the wreckage rose uncertainty, ambiguity, procedures, standards, committees, etc, that
the updated Basel III framework for financial has to be established. All of that paperwork
services organisations, and SA's own Financial and conflict through a sounds very academic, not adding any benefit
Services Board started revisiting regulations to the company's bottom line.
with new fervour. standard framework for However, in my experience, implementing a
All these regulations that keep popping data governance capability in a company need
up, like the legislative changes in Protection management. not be a mountain that cannot be summited.
of Personal Information (POPI), National The most crucial thing is to understand the
Credit Act, Consumer Protection Act, etc, intent of data governance and then implement
have forced corporates into a mode where the framework and structures in a fashion that
many diverse governance and compliance Therefore, governance is simply the aligns with the existing corporate culture.
initiatives dominate the companies' strategic process of intentionally deciding how to Effective data governance creates a sense of
initiatives lists. manage data, setting the rules and defining credibility and reliability in the data throughout
POPI specifically started to push the the mechanisms for management. Once the the company and can even lead to business
focus from governing operational activity to governance structure is defined, continue innovation that effectively puts data as an asset
governing what organisations do with data. to actively manage the data, and govern (ie, on the balance sheet where it belongs.
But, don’t think POPI is the only legislative monitor and evaluate) the managing practice Finally, effective governance means
driver in the data space at the moment. The regularly to ensure all management stays effective data management, which results in
Basel Committee also jumped on the data within the framework defined through the a reputation as a trusted data processor in any
wagon with regulation BCBS 239, with 11 governance capability. industry, which will lead to customers being far
principles for effective risk data aggregation and In light of this definition, the need for more comfortable to engage and volunteer their
risk reporting with which banks must comply data governance is even more evident in all data when the company's reputation convinces
by 1 January 2016. companies. In large companies with a diverse them that their data is safe.
16 | February 2016You can also read
