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  • This is the main feed for all of TechCentral's shows and podcasts, including TCS - The TechCentral Show and TCS Impact Series. Never miss anything we produce and publish by subscribing to this feed.
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Episodes
  • TCS Legends | Joan Joffe on building Joffe Associates - and Vodacom

    TCS Legends | Joan Joffe on building Joffe Associates - and Vodacom
    May 21 2024
    Joan Joffe, the founder of Joffe Associates who would later play a pivotal role in the launch of South Africa’s mobile industry, began her IT career writing machine code on an ICL (then ICT) mainframe.
    Joffe, who introduced the IBM PC to South Africa in the early 1980s (much to IBM South Africa’s chagrin), has a storied career going all the way back to the late 1950s.
    Indeed, one of the first projects in which she was involved was developing the very first computerised payroll system for the SA Railways (now Transnet).
    In this latest episode of the popular TCS Legends interview series, Joffe tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about her early career, what led to her striking out on her own with Joffe Associates, and how she eventually became marketing director for Vodacom during its start-up years.
    What many people might not know about Joffe is that she even had a stint as a technology journalist at one point in her career, writing a column for FinanceWeek, a now-defunct business magazine.
    In this episode of TCS Legends, Joffe chats about:
    • Her studies at Wits University;
    • Her early programming career;
    • Her time in the US, where she worked for Wells Fargo Bank and Standard Oil;
    • Her time as a saleswoman for HP selling pocket calculators and how that led to her securing an HP dealership and the formation of Joffe Associates;
    • The launch by Joffe Associates of the IBM PC in South Africa and Joffe’s clashes with local IBM management at the time;
    • The sale of Joffe Associates to Datakor, and why it was a disaster;
    • The Vodacom opportunity and what was involved in lauching South Africa’s first mobile operator;
    • The battle over Vodacom’s advertising agencies;
    • Working with Vodacom’s founding CEO, Alan Knott-Craig;
    • Meeting Nelson Mandela;
    • The early skirmishes with MTN; and
    • The launch of the Vodacom Foundation.
    Joffe, who succeeded in a male-dominated industry, went on to become a founding member of Nozala Investments.
    She has also served on the boards of various organisations, including the CSIR, Datacentrix and a number of non-profit organisations.
    Among other accolades and awards, she is a recipient of the Wits University Lifetime Award for Entrepreneurship.
    Don’t miss this fascinating interview with a pioneering woman in South Africa’s IT industry – and a true legend of the sector.
    *** TCS Legends is powered by Mitel. For all your Unified Communications and Customer Experience needs, visit Mitel.com. *** TechCentral
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    57 mins
  • TCS+ | InterSystems on the role of technology in SA’s healthcare industry

    TCS+ | InterSystems on the role of technology in SA’s healthcare industry
    May 20 2024
    The healthcare industry in South Africa is in a state of flux, not least because of the introduction of the much-derided national health insurance (NHI) law. Technology can, however, play a big role in helping address the myriad complex issues facing the sector.
    That’s the view of Henry Adams, country manager at InterSystems South Africa and an expert on the healthcare industry, who was speaking recently in an interview with TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology talk show. Watch or listen to the episode below.
    In the episode, Adams succinctly unpacks:
    • The role played by InterSystems in the local healthcare industry, including the company’s background and focus areas;
    • The lack of integration of healthcare systems in South Africa, the role of electronic medical records, and why no national health insurance scheme can possibly work without addressing interoperability;
    • What impact the NHI will have on the sector;
    • The role of electronic medical records and why they are key to any reform of South Africa’s healthcare industry – plus, what’s the best way of protecting these records and ensuring compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act;
    • What a fully integrated system for healthcare providers and their patients might look like and what it would take to build it;
    • The guidelines and legislative support needed to bridge the gap between government and the healthcare industry; and
    • The role InterSystems believes it can play in helping address some of the challenges facing South Africa’s healthcare industry.
    Visit InterSystems South Africa’s website for more information – and be sure not to miss a fascinating discussion that affects all South Africans. TechCentral
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    56 mins
  • TCS+ | Don’t let your Wi-Fi drag your business down

    TCS+ | Don’t let your Wi-Fi drag your business down
    May 10 2024
    A strong and reliable Wi-Fi network is no longer a perk but a fundamental necessity. Just like access to good coffee and comfortable chairs, businesses are expected to provide a seamless Wi-Fi experience for employees, guests and tenants. A frustratingly slow or spotty connection can bring your entire operation to a crawl, hindering productivity and damaging your reputation.
    Wi-Fi experts at Vox
    Vox understands the critical role Wi-Fi plays in a successful business and how its Wi-Fi offering can be a major differentiator. The guest today in this episode of TCS+ is Craig Blignaut, product manager for Wi-Fi at Vox. Blignaut brings a wealth of knowledge about the needs of businesses and the technology that keeps them connected.
    Planning for success: proactive Wi-Fi solutions
    Blignaut discussed the importance of having a well-defined Wi-Fi strategy from the very beginning: proper planning prevents problems later. Vox takes a proactive approach by using specialised software to create virtual models of your office space. This software considers building materials like brick, glass and metal, allowing it to predict how Wi-Fi signals will travel and where obstacles might cause issues.
    This virtual planning isn’t just about signal strength; it also helps determine the best placement for access points and switches, as well as how to route cables in the most efficient way. It even considers factors like employee traffic patterns to optimise network performance and capacity in areas where it’s needed most.
    Just like any other piece of equipment, Wi-Fi needs regular check-ups to ensure optimal performance. Vox offers a comprehensive Wi-Fi audit service that includes both on-site and remote testing. This ensures your access points are delivering the data, bandwidth and capacity you need to function smoothly. The audit also considers factors that can fluctuate over time, such as the number of users on the network, peak usage times, and even changes to your building’s structure or materials.
    Staying secure
    Security is another crucial aspect of any Wi-Fi network. Outdated systems are vulnerable to breaches, leaving your business data and your users’ information at risk. As Wi-Fi technology improves, so, too, should your security protocols. Vox recommends using strong encryption like WPA3 to keep your network safe from unauthorised access and data loss.
    Managed Wi-Fi solutions: the power of remote support
    In addition to supplying enterprise-grade equipment, Vox offers a managed Wi-Fi solution that provides off-site management and remote support. This means you have a team of experts behind the scenes, constantly monitoring your network and proactively addressing any issues that may arise. Vox’s AI-powered software can even anticipate and troubleshoot potential problems before they occur, preventing disruptions before they start.
    The bottom line
    Don’t settle for a sluggish, unreliable Wi-Fi network. A poor connection can frustrate employees and guests alike, hindering productivity and creating a negative impression of your business. A Vox Wi-Fi audit can identify areas for improvement and ensure you’re getting the most out of your network. Imagine a world where your employees can download large files, stream video conferences and access cloud-based applications without a hitch.
    Ready to upgrade your Wi-Fi experience?
    Contact Craig Blignaut at Vox or your Vox account manager to discuss your options and take your business Wi-Fi to the next level.
    • Visit www.vox.co.za or e-mail info@vox.co.za
    • Book a Wi-Fi survey or audit
    • Guest Wi-Fi solutions from Vox
    This promoted content was paid for by the party concerned TechCentral
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    26 mins
Economics
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