Online newsroom and press release distributor.

In the fast moving, volatile and critical poultry industry, control over processes within various divisions and sites is essential. Linking different divisions with each other and the business to provide an integrated view of the entire organisation provides accurate insights to ensure better performance. Management via manual processes and Excel spreadsheets simply doesn’t achieve the results needed to remain competitive. 

By their very nature, many businesses operating in the digital era are constantly inundated with massive data sources. 

South African businesses need a different mindset to address ongoing stock losses and fraud.

Henley Business School - Africa (Henley Africa) is delighted to announce the awarding of R2-million worth of scholarships for the 2018 academic year. 

Tech Terms defines an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) as “a company that produces hardware to be marketed under another company's brand name”. Earlier this quarter, Tracker Connect (Pty) Ltd was named the SA Qlik Master Reseller OEM Partner of the Year for 2017.

Picture the 1980s businessman dictating an important message for his assistant to type and fax to his client. Time is money – but it certainly seemed to move a little slower a few decades ago. 

Saturday, 7 April 2018 sees the return of Startup Picnic. 

Considering how maintenance and parts inventories have evolved in recent years, and the increasingly strategic approach to Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), it is apparent that visibility is one of the most important drivers at every step in the manufacturing and plant engineering process.

In the security industry, discipline and integrity are critical factors. A United States security expert* recently confirmed that; “the supervision of security guards is the most important and most difficult challenge of a security company.” Guarding is a career that requires a large set of skills – and while guards may be proficient in one area, this does not mean that they are able to deliver on the full skillset required. 

Turkish Airlines has confirmed plans to buy at least 50 wide-body aircraft from Airbus and Boeing as the flag carrier ramps up its ambitions ahead of a move to a new Istanbul airport.

Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of Energy Management and Automation, announced the completion of the combination between AVEVA and the Schneider Electric industrial software business. 

Newsclip Media Monitoring is making it possible for brands to get all their media coverage, from traditional press coverage to mentions of their brand on social media, in a single, online destination.

Across South Africa, the outbreak of the food-borne disease Listeria has been reported as possibly being the largest outbreak of its kind the world has ever seen. This disease has already claimed more than 170 lives. According to The National Health Laboratory Service, 915 cases of Listeria have been reported since January 2017. Those most vulnerable are young people, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. 

In an effort to support skills training and development in the timber construction industry, the Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA), SAQA-accredited professional body and watchdog for the timber building industry, recently launched its Online Certification Programme.

The University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), in association with publisher Contact Media and Communications, is celebrating Acumen magazine’s fifth anniversary.

2018 brings exciting developments from Newsclip. We’ve transformed our solutions by implementing artificially intelligent technology. Our website has been relaunched to showcase these ever-evolving products.

Manufacturers based in South Africa often face unique and intricate operational challenges. From labour unrest to an unstable electrical grid, water shortages, harsh conditions and asset risks, there are various factors to consider, and strategic management is essential. With the right technology, however, these challenges can be overcome for a profitable, seamlessly run manufacturing plant.

As Africa’s youth embrace the development opportunities presented by new technologies and infrastructure, young developers must remain cognizant of the need to build applications with the ‘bad guys’ in mind.

Samsung will reveal its highly anticipated flagship device for 2018, at 19:00 on the 25th February. The big reveal will take place at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which is one of the biggest events on the mobile calendar. 

With the exponential growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the ever-expanding digital era, businesses face a flurry of data. This constant stream of information demands attention. Why? Because businesses already have all the information at hand to make impactful, positive, strategic decisions; if only they knew how to access it.

In a world that is currently driven by all things transformation, the revolution of working practices must be given its due consideration. From disruptive business software to digital transformation, the optimisation of investments and services, and the need for (transformative) speed – businesses that do not focus on empowering the organisation to perform better will soon be left behind.

Water is a valuable commodity. It has been said that the third world war will be fought over water. It is a resource that is quickly running out, as Cape Town is set to become the first city to run out of water. The world has its eyes on the water crisis in the Cape with “day zero” looming. 

Royal Palm Hotel is proud to welcome on board their new General Manager, Simon Bailey.

With the increasing severity of the drought in the Western Cape, the storage and consumption of bottled water is expected to increase, and PET plastic bottles are a safe and convenient way to do this. 

Toshiba Europe GmbH today announces seven new E-Generation devices offering professional performance and durability, designed to support users on the move. Toshiba’s latest professional range has undergone a technical refresh to maximise performance and make devices more efficient by offering a high performance of up to an 8th Generation Intel® Core™ processor.  

In facilities management, inspecting large institutional, engineering, manufacturing, mining and commercial facilities and assets can be a challenging, dangerous, and dirty job. Ensuring that assets are performing reliably to design standards means balancing tight budgets and aging infrastructure or finding new ways to maximise the value of existing assets. 

Mauritius has long been known as an idyllic holiday destination. Unfortunately, environmental news from this paradise had started to become somewhat underwhelming and serious action needed to be taken to help bring Mauritius back to its former glory. Mauritius’ Vice-Prime Minister Mr Showkutally Soodhun announced that the government of Mauritius “is committed to upholding the country’s cleanliness and safety for the benefit of the population.” 

From phishing to identity theft, the invasion of privacy, Internet/ATM/wire fraud, file sharing and piracy, counterfeiting and forgery, child pornography, and hacking – cybercrime is a chilling and imminent threat across the globe. 

A recent poll has revealed that the South African facilities management, manufacturing and fleet management industries face four distinct pain points; work orders, asset registers, downtime and contractors. 

In our modern-day world of technology, it is of utmost importance to remain on the forefront of innovation and technology. Companies that strive to better the world we live in help to pioneer a future that encourages growth and development, to the benefit of those around us. These role models are the true stalwarts of our business world. 

The South African Society of Anaesthesiologists (SASA) is proud to announce that Dr Caroline Corbett, a Cape Town-based private practitioner and active participant of the SASA private practice business unit (PPBU) committee, has won the prestigious 2017 WFSA-Fresenius Kabi Anaesthesia Innovation Award. 

TechTarget defines enterprise asset management (EAM) as; “a broad term vendors use to describe software that provides managers with a way to view company-owned assets holistically"

Cape Town based tech company, Innovo Networks, has bagged a win at the prestigious ROCCI and FNB Business of the Year Awards 2017, held on 18 November. A first for the young voice, data and cloud provider, Innovo Networks won a bronze award in the technology category for innovation and disruptive ICT solutions.

In any industry, being under the influence at work can become a deadly habit. Whether the staff member is responsible for security, transport, warehousing or factory work, dulled senses put themselves, their colleagues and their customers at risk. There are no legal stipulations in South African law about whether a company can request an employee to undergo a breathalyser. As such, companies are well within their rights to request same.

It is no secret that ‘going Green’ is a growing trend with many positive effects. However, how do you know when green really means green? There are many products and energy saving ‘tips’ that don’t actually benefit a green environment all that much. 

When asked what it takes to be successful in the hospitality industry, most would say; the personal touch. It’s about attention to detail and delivering service excellence - from the greeting at the entrance to the turn-down service. The hotel’s facilities must be immaculate and offer guests the utmost in luxury and convenience. Collectively, industries across the globe are turning to technological innovations to achieve these goals. No less the hospitality sector. 

Without a secure failover, erratic fixed line connectivity can cause havoc, especially in the high-demand, fast-paced fast food sector. As the name suggests, the expectation is that both the food and service are delivered quickly, and at a standardised (high) level of quality.

On 30 November 2017 the Startupbootcamp cohort hosted their first-ever Africa-based Demo Day in Cape Town to showcase the Top 10 startups, selected from a pool of 514 applicants, to global investors, sponsors and partners.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) boasts many benefits, the most obvious being the ability to fast track obtaining a qualification. Many people today have extensive experience in their field but not the qualifications behind their name to back that experience. RPL offers a solution for those eligible candidates. 

Ninety percent of brain development happens before the age of five, yet more than two thirds of South African children under the age of five are still not receiving the crucial Early Childhood Development (ECD) education that could make or breaktheir future potential

Public shooting incidents do not end when the gun fire stops. They have far-reaching effects and consequences that shopping malls, their tenants, contractors, employees must deal with effectively.

In every industry, asset management is critical to ensuring productivity, reducing downtime and promoting profits. Across South Africa, asset management, facilities management and manufacturing industries have been challenged with an economic mountain which appeared to bring many to rock bottom. Yet digital transformation has offered the stepping stones needed to overcome, as digitisation brings with it great competitive advantage. 

The 80/20 Mindset E-course launches today, and promises to teach Millennials how to work less and achieve more in business, while sidestepping pressing workplace and career woes.

South Africans must embrace the entrepreneurial culture because the old days of jobs waiting for them after graduation are long gone.

A three-year partnership between Sumitomo Rubber SA’s iconic brand, Dunlop, and Ithala Development Finance Corporation’s Small Business Growth Enterprise division will see a minimum of 25 containerised tyre fitment centres being established across KwaZulu-Natal and 100 jobs created.

amaSocial is harnessing the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology to offer brands and businesses faster, smarter social media insights. With the help of AI, the social media tracking and reporting service can now notify clients of social media issues as they happen and reveal instant intelligence about their PR and marketing efforts. 

Newsclip recently demonstrated the power of its artificially intelligent data processing engine when it analysed the sentiment of more than 4 000 social media posts in minutes. The data intelligence company conducted the sentiment analysis for one of South Africa’s largest beverage companies.

Throughout operational periods, most commercial/industrial sectors and business premises are a hive of activity. With staff constantly occupying the premises, the threat of external crime is usually kept to a minimum. In general, during operational periods, standard armed response and alarm systems are sufficient to protect the business against break-ins or damage to property. 

As the world delves ever deeper into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, modern enterprises are forced to evolve their operational practices. With this digital transformation comes an onslaught of information, resulting in massive datasets and the responsibility to analyse this data effectively. 

In today’s facilities management (FM) market, achieving Green Building Status has become vital. According to Matt Sena’s Green Industry Analysis 2017; “Green industry practices not only enjoy favorable public sentiment and the psychic income of a lower carbon footprint, but increased cost savings, supportive government policies, and ever-increasing profitability as well.” 

In manufacturing, accurate and comprehensive real-time information about plant floor operations is essential to making informed decisions that drive productivity. What could be more crucial than the equipment itself? Downtime, which is detrimental to any business, is especially damaging and costly for manufacturers. According to Mining Global, each hydraulic power and belt drive failure can result in up to $180,000 in lost production.

Collaboration is the act of working together. It is the coming together of ideas and strategies to create a better final product, and ensure the advancement of a group, a business or an industry. In the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, collaboration is seen as the driving force behind success, ensuring the multiplication of innovation, delivery and efficiency. 

2017 marks the highest milestone of South African Literary Awards (SALA), as the shortlist includes, for the first time, the !Xam and !Kun languages. 

Providing a revolutionary solution to the unemployment crisis, the Awethu Project is offering thousands of people in 15 informal areas all around Gauteng the opportunity to learn how to start and grow a business through business growth sessions.

Early detection is the best way to tackle breast cancer, significantly improving the chances of successful treatment and recovery. Sadly, misinformed beliefs, fear and stigma rob many women of the advantages associated with early detection.

The integration of women in the formal economy across a variety of sectors without hindrance will have far reaching effects for the overall economy of the country, says Ithala Development Finance Corporation.  It is against this conviction that Ithala hosted the annual Imbokodo Iyazenzela Women in Business Awards, a public platform which acknowledges exceptional businesswomen.

The Sugarbird Gin dream team is burning with passion to sponsor aspiring entrepreneurs with their innovative business ideas.  They joined forces with the KOI Group to enhance entrepreneurs skills to assist them to developed and launch their masterpieces. 

The purpose of skills development is to facilitate access to and progression within career paths through high quality education and training. As the skills development arena continues to evolve, the reality of the skills crisis is becoming evident. Skills development is becoming a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) scorecard conversation, yet 7,2 million South African people are still illiterate, with new forms of illiteracy developing with every new workplace innovation.

In the field of industrial cleaning, the antiquated mantra dictates that the stronger the product smells, the better it works. Using this approach, many companies utilised acrid, chemically driven products that were ineffectual against many strains of bacteria and dangerous to the health of those using the products. However, as Africa (and the world) became ever more conscious of the need for environmentally friendly approaches, the rise of biological cleaners began. 

Standard Bank has partnered with Thriving.Network, an entrepreneurial network company, to bring enterprise development to Rustenburg at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Saturday, October 21, 2017. Rustenburg will be the first to host and experience what the organisers call “Kasi Biz Sessions”.

In response to the urgent need for job creation and to improve the wellbeing of ordinary people, Ithala has commenced a refurbishment programme to revitalise township and rural economies at its retail centres in Nongoma, Ulundi and Eshowe in northern KwaZulu-Natal

Earlier this year, a report from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners revealed shocking facts about employee theft. The report confirmed that approximately 27 percent of large companies have seen an increase in theft cases and up to seven percent of annual revenues are being lost due to fraud, 37.1 percent of which was committed by managerial staff. 

In the facilities management (FM) industry, listening to the client plays a critical role in ensuring the delivery of a flexible solution. Understanding the client’s requirements is the first step to tailoring an FM solution that meets their needs, while delivering measurable results and reliable monitoring and reporting. To achieve this, the right technology and software must be utilised, ensuring modern and agile service delivery. 

SA’s public sector faces constant turbulence, with widespread corruption, local inefficiencies and infighting across government. This culminated in the Democratic Alliance petitioning for an emergency election, with the belief that the majority of South Africans have lost confidence in president Jacob Zuma. The public sector has a long way to go, effective data management has proven it packs a powerful punch in thwarting corruption & driving municipal efficiencies. 

Making bed bases from old car bumpers turned out to be anything but a rubbish idea for Graham Coleman and Gianni Nosenzo of Cycliq in Wadeville.

TKZN, Amajuba District with Department of Education, Department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) together with Project Enza certainly pulled out all the stops, this World Tourism Day.

Ithala Development Finance Corporation’s new leadership team and fortified strategy was unveiled at a networking lunch today.  In explaining the rationale behind the theme “Next Generation Leadership”, it was highlighted that the new Board’s leadership style was driven by fresh thinking; diversity; a strategy that supported socio-economic transformation; change as dictated by an evolving market and the need to promote financial inclusivity.  

We celebrate the strides made by female entrepreneurs in both the local and international context as they pave the way for generations of aspiring young women who hope to one-day build empires of their own. 

A large managerial role entails making people work, driving productivity and reducing inefficiencies. Part of making people work is making work for people. Too often management holds onto the reigns, gathering all the more balls until they simply cannot be juggled any longer. 

In the world of enterprise applications, the most effective solution is usually bestowed upon the largest organisation with the biggest budget. Yet, these applications are the engine room of all organisations, regardless of their size. Without effective solutions, businesses suffer from a lack of agility, responsiveness and flexibility, hindering management’s ability to make fast, sound decisions. 

Prospect Farm School in Kwadukuza, north of Durban, has become the latest recipient of a programme on money management skills to foster a culture of savings among youth.

Contrary to the predictions of the futuristic movies of the 80s, the “rise of the machines” will not be the downfall of mankind – but rather deliver the business application support system that drives greater efficiencies with more intelligence, less error and greater data control. As enterprise software continues to evolve, the introduction of mainstream artificial intelligence has become the logical focus point for innovative solutions. 

Earlier this month, Eyewitness News reported that the latest South African jobs statistics continue to reflect an appallingly high unemployment rate. According to the World Bank, the 2016 average unemployment rate for all upper middle-income countries was 6.2 percent. In 2016, South Africa’s rate was at 25.9 percent, rising to 27.7 percent in 2017. Of these unemployed droves, a staggering 39 percent have never worked before, highlighting the plight of unemployed youth.

Beyond The Lemonade Stand (BTLS) is hosting its annual Teenpreneur Fest to showcase, celebrate and help accelerate small businesses owned by teenagers. 

The Dream2Teach Scholarship Fund will award scholarships to selected matriculants who have a clear purpose to become teachers but lack the financial means to gain a tertiary qualification.   

Digital transformation is more than a mere buzzword. Modern businesses must evolve as the digital age continues to overtake lives, both personally and professionally. To maintain the capability to leverage intricate market changes, businesses must undergo an in-depth metamorphosis. This digital transformation must bring the business and its organisational activities in line with the fourth industrial revolution and all of the opportunities it holds. 

Across the globe, security technology is constantly developed, improved upon and provided in order to create an environment that is truly safe and secure. According to a report issued by the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), violent crime remains an ever-present threat in South Africa. 

The latest Lancet Healthcare Access and Quality Index recently confirmed that South Africa’s healthcare ranks poorly, at 119 out of 195 countries in the world. With the misappropriation of funds, unaffordable medical aid rates and the generally abhorrent state of government hospitals (with some exceptions), it seems real transformation is required to save costs, increase efficiencies and improve patient care. 

So what’s newsworthy about wearing a white dress?  Millions of women the world over, own one, so it’s hardly worth a news release and a couple of events, or is it?

For the last decade, South Africa has been on an educational journey, as the market began to embrace greener living, cleaner results and smarter practices. The planet is finite, and its resources are limited. In legal terms, there’s a saying that “ignorance of the law is no excuse” – the time has come where ignorance of our effect on the planet could be our own downfall. This is why the best time to be an #ecowarrior is now.

The South African Breweries (SAB) announced today it will help create thousands of jobs in South Africa and increase opportunities for entrepreneurs to become part of its supply chain through its key entrepreneurship programmes.

As an organisation moves through the five stages of the business lifecycle, rapid growth must be coupled with sound processes and access to information to reach maturity. With the correct systems in place, the business can function at the same efficiency regardless of its size. However, if there are deficiencies in these systems, the deficits will grow as the business grows, ultimately resulting in decline and the death of the enterprise.

As both local and global markets face constant and intricate business changes, relevant, reliable and secure Information Communication Technology (ICT) has become not only a dire need, but also a prerequisite for success. To deliver an effective ICT strategy, one must take a view to the future and consider what the business requirements will be next month, next year or in the next decade. 

Boasting 1950 of the 2082 global shopping malls Africa has no choice but to adapt to changing consumer expectations as they face fierce competition.

This insight has driven the latest round of tenants at Canal Walk shopping centre, as it has had to reinvent the mall to satisfy the various types of shoppers: from one that’s pressed for time wanting a seamless visit to another looking for a leisurely experience.

Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) will be gathered in Fourways, Indaba Hotel, just north of Sandton. The 4 day conference will take place between 4 – 7 September. 

With the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into force next year, it is important for South African organisations to identify ways to best manage their data. Yet many companies are still worryingly under-prepared for what will be the most significant shake-up of data protection law for 20 years.

Colgate has announced the launch of its scholarship campaign in South Africa, whereby 10 school children stand a chance to have R10 000 paid towards their school tuition for seven years. Essentially, each child will receive R70 000 over a seven year period.

As industries the world over strive to keep pace with technological advancements, the retail industry has engaged with “omni-channels” (multiple operational channels). This creates more data, delivers more engagement from customers, and draws from more data sources. Through social engagement and the Internet of Things, a greater understanding of customers and their needs can be fostered - if this mass of data from all channels is harnessed correctly.

The African ethos of Ubuntu promotes the power of a village, supporting one another to achieve common goals. For conservation efforts to be successful, many areas of vulnerability must be addressed. To be successful, this requires a collaborative approach with efforts being made by a variety of passionate contributors. 

The South African labour market is heavily legislated, regulating the relationship between the employer and the employee – often in favour of the employee. In any business, selecting the right candidate for a position is essential to business success. In this highly protected labour environment, hiring the wrong candidate can be devastating and could prove to be a decision that is very difficult to reverse without legal repercussions. 

“In supporting government’s call for transformation, we believe women contribute significantly to the mainstream economy and must, therefore, be exposed to all the resources and opportunities required to advance in their respective careers.”

According to a scientific paper entitled “Building and Environment”, the practice of sustainable facilities management (FM) is rapidly evolving with the increasing interest in the discourse of sustainable development. “Survey results show that time constraints, lack of knowledge and lack of senior management commitment are the main barriers for the implementation of consistent and comprehensive sustainable FM policy and practice.” 

Curro, the JSE-listed independent education provider, recently collaborated on a drone-building project alongside a group of South Korean learners. 

Last month, Trading Economics reported that South African manufacturing production had declined 0.8 percent year-on-year, following an upwardly revised 4.2 percent drop in April, which was the highest since July of 2014.

The current unemployment rate in South Africa is 27,7 percent. That’s almost a third of the population. A large portion of the unemployed are in fact graduates, with an overwhelming 60 percent of graduates remaining unemployed, or being employed in a career that is not in their field of study. Where does this leave the future of human resources (HR)? 

The face of franchising has become much more welcoming to women in the two decades since the Cash Converters brand was launched in Southern Africa, says Managing Director Richard Mukheibir. 

The African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) is set to host its annual Woman of Substance awards, themed ‘Africa in the Rise of Localisation’ during Women’s Month this year.

A mentorship programme to capacitate KwaZulu-Natal rural and township women with business skills to realise their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs and enjoying a better quality of life has been made possible.

Spearheaded by Ithala Development Finance Corporation, the mentorship programme is designed to help micro-level SMMEs grow and sustain their businesses.

Visual language can be interpreted as a social act. It must have traditional elements of communication, as well as an expression of identity.

In 2015 Mail & Guardian reported that technology may very well save the mining industry. In engineering, construction and mining, this statement still rings true today. Gone are the days when spread sheets were the optimum performance platform. Innovation drives growth, and falling behind means losing ground instead of breaking it.