One partner, One Vision…

Paving the way for superior communications

Bytes Communication Systems build innovative communication solutions, by integrating products, applications and services, creating value for our clients. Bytes Communication Systems was formed in 2001 when the then Alcatel Business Systems was incorporated into Bytes Technology Group (Bytes). Prior to that, in 1998, Alcatel Business Systems changed its name from STC (Standard Telephone Cables) and retained Alcatel-Lucent as its strategic technology partner since 1983. Bytes Communication Systems acquired Intelleca in June 2008. The acquisition results in the creation of a formidable communications technology solutions provider in South Africa, with solutions that span the full range of broad-based voice and data solutions to customers in the contact centre and enterprise arena. Intelleca is rated as South Africa's leader in managed services for IP Contact Centres on Demand. This bolsters Bytes’ own expertise in this field, and is of significant strategic importance as Voice-over-IP (VoIP) convergence moves into the mainstream. As part of Bytes, Bytes Communication Systems can take advantage of the parent company’s strong Black Economic Empowerment credentials, and its partnership with Kagiso, Bytes’ BEE shareholder. Through the alliance with Alcatel-Lucent, Bytes Communication Systems is able to pass on the benefit to our customers of the significant investment Alcatel-Lucent makes in Research and Development.

Who is Bytes Communication Systems

Bytes Communication Systems is a broad-based supplier of state of the art communication solutions in voice and data and specialises in converged ICT solutions. We provide our customers with a complete range of end-to-end business communications solutions including voice servers, contact centres, bandwidth optimisation, security, wired and wireless network infrastructure solutions as well as a complete range of after sales services. At Bytes Communication Systems we provide our customers a unique way in which to converge both their voice and data environments. We currently manage some of the biggest converged networks in Southern Africa.

Who is intellica

Intelleca is South Africa’s leading provider of innovative voice and contact centre solutions, including speech self-service automation, speaker verification, contact centre on demand, workforce optimisation , multimedia customer interaction and voice-over- IP communication solutions. It represents global brands including Genesys, Nuance, VoiceGenie, Microsoft and CosmoCom and has pioneered many global breakthroughs.

Solutions Offering and Infrastructure Services

We aim to get things right first time, every time, and achieve 100% customer satisfaction at every point in the process. Our people have a broad range of skills, from professional sales and pre-sales support staff to project management and technical services. We also have a highly skilled team of technical experts who can assist in the design of large and complex communication solutions to suit a customer’s individual needs. As experts in voice and data solutions, Bytes Communication Systems offers a broad range of end-to-end business communications solutions:

• Contact Centres...
  seamlessly integrated into existing CRM applications and architectures.
• Unified Communications...
  incorporating a variety of messaging media, conferencing applications and other features for increased mobility and productivity.
• IP Telephony (and Networking)...
  open platform applications for secure, easy-to-manage, costefficient communications.
• Network Management Software...
  help maximise the performance and value of your communications portfolio.
• Security Solutions...
  protect users and the network from internal and external threats.
• IP Data Networking...
  wired and wireless standards based, Carrier Grade, secure and cost effective.

As part of our continued commitment to providing the best level of service possible, we have added an in-house infrastructure services department to our portfolio. The department is able to deliver Category 3 to 6 cabling layout design and installation, PABX and Server room design and installation, as well as Fibre Optic installations. With the addition of the in-house Infrastructure Services, Bytes Communication Systems is now your One Stop Shop for all your networking requirements.

Bytes Communication Systems Managed Communication Services

As companies seek to leverage cost savings as well as increase business efficiencies in a low-margin economy, the Bytes Communication Systems Managed Communication Service (MCS) offering is able to provide customers with a viable avenue to reduce expenditure and increase operational efficiencies. Through MCS, the Bytes Communication Systems team is able to lower costs for voice services, and allow customers to focus their workforce, infrastructure, and ICT resources on core business capabilities and strategic initiatives, while using the expertise and advanced technologies that Bytes Communication Systems can bring to the table. A summary of benefits a customer can enjoy using MCS

• Minimal Capex outlay
• Reduction in operational expenses
• Proactive change management
• Enhance voice capabilities with no extra staff
• Managed solutions to provide a smoother and cost effective evolution path to IP telephony and networked voice services as, and when it is beneficial to your organisation to undertake this transition
• Voice, video and data solutions available
• Maintain focus on your business and strategy and still have choice and control
• Improved availability
• Single point of contact for multiple services and vendors

Value added Services

At Bytes Communication Systems, we go the extra mile to ensure that we deliver on time and on budget for every project, and that our customers get the best possible solution to suit their needs. In support of this, our value added services include:

Project Management
Key project management skills from basic concept through to final realisation as a complete deliverable and fully supported solution.

Customer Product Integration
Every solution is built and tested in our integration centre prior to delivery and commissioning. This ensues proper functioning of all elements including integration compliance with the clients applications and systems.

Focused Training
Structured on/off site training courses specifically developed for end users, with emphasis on skills transfer. E.g. Telephony device, Network Administration, Call Centre Supervisor and Unified Communications Administration

Flexible Finance
In-house tailor-made structured finance is designed to suit individual needs and requirements.

Outsourcing
For specialist services, tailored to the clients requirements

Consultancy Services
Bytes Communication Systems have been a leader in the provision of ICT solutions for more than 30 years. Our industry knowledge, skills and experience allow our specialist consultancy team the ability to provide expert advice, analysis and interpretation across a broad range of ICT solutions.

Consultancy projects include the provision of strategic advice, expert witness services, feasibility studies, product development, interpretation/analysis, testing and use of specialist equipment.

Service Level Agreements

Our unique “All-in-One” countrywide service offering allows us to form a technological alliance with our customers. A wide range of services are available through this offering, including but not limited to:

RESIDENT

Provision of on-site staff who, as experienced Bytes Communication Systems employees, can deal with on-site needs in line with the Customer’s timescales and requirements.

MANAGE

Unlimited access to remote data configuration and administration of Customers communication equipment with a suitable remote network access.

PREVENT

Regular preventive maintenance for Customer’s communication equipment. This service provides a proactive on-site and/or remote technical check up of communication infrastructure.

REPLACE

Express standard replace or repair service for Customer exchangeable equipment such as telephone sets, modems.

SUPPORT

Technical support for problem resolution, including provision and replacement of field replaceable units on Customers communication equipment.

SOFT

Provision of communication system software updates through appropriate media.

Geographic Representation

Bytes Communication Systems is committed to providing the best possible service for our entire product range and have established Service Centres and Sub-Service Centres throughout South Africa in the following locations:

Commitment to BEEE and South Africa

Black Economic Empowerment

Through our strategic alliance with Kagiso, a division of Kagiso Trust Investments (Pty) Ltd, the multi-million Rand Bytes Technology Group SA (Pty) Ltd (Bytes) has embraced the Black Empowerment charter as set out by government.

In 2007 the Bytes Group was also rated as the most empowered company in the ICT sector by the Financial Mail / Empowerdex Top Empowerment Companies report, and was positioned eighth overall for the year.Bytes Communication Systems is now a level 3 BBBEE rating enabling you to claim 137.5% of procurement spend.

Empowerdex Rating

As a member of the Bytes Group, Bytes Communication Systems enjoys an exceptionally high level of black empowerment. In 2006 Empowerdex ranked the group as the tenth most empowered JSE listed company in South Africa, and as the fourth most empowered ICT Company.

In 2007 the Bytes Group was also rated as the most empowered company in the ICT sector by the Financial Mail / Empowerdex Top Empowerment Companies report, and was positioned eighth overall for the year with a level 4 BBBEE rating enabling you to claim 125% of procurement spend.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Investment has always been a driving force and a large part of the group’s empowerment strategy, and as a group of companies we directly organise and get involved with a number of ongoing community initiatives throughout the country.

Many of these projects are aimed at bridging the digital divide in schools in previously disadvantaged areas. Examples of these ventures include Isikhumbuzo High School in Orange Farm, Langa High School in Cape Town, several schools in Tembisa, and more than seven schools in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

In addition to these upliftment initiatives we at Bytes Communication Systems encourage our own staff to adopt and support smaller CSI initiatives and our net currently includes but is not limited to HIV Aids Orphanages, disabled schools, and Girls and Boys Town.

Bytes Communication Systems Learnership Programme

Another aspect of Bytes Communication Systems’ own BEE strategy is the stimulation of skills by means of learnerships. Our learnership programmes not only bridge the digital divide for previously disadvantaged persons, but also enable learners to obtain real skills and knowledge they can then take with them into the workplace.

At Bytes Communication Systems our Customer Services Division managers interview Learnership candidates annually. Successful applicants are given the chance to be trained within the group for four months with eight months of valuable real world, practical experience at Bytes Communication Systems. As part of the programme learners are divided into teams, which are rotated between departments. Training on the product offerings of Bytes Communication Systems is also provided.

To date Bytes Communication Systems has offered a number of the learnership candidates either contract or permanent positions. These highly successful learnerships are conducted on a national basis by Bytes Communication Systems in Gauteng, Cape Town and Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Partnerships, affiliations and stakeholders

Bytes Technology Group SA (Pty) Ltd is a division of Bytes Technology Group Limited, which incorporates the organisation’s international ventures, which are wholly owned by the group, and the South African enterprise, which is 73% owned by Bytes Technology Group Limited and 27% owned by Kagiso, a division of Kagiso Trust Investments.

Bytes Technology Group South Africa is made up of a number of divisions:

• Bytes Communication Systems
• Bytes Specialised Solutions
• Bytes Healthcare Solutions
• Bytes Document Solutions
• Bytes People Solutions
• Bytes Managed Services
• Bytes Outsource Services
• Bytes Systems Integration

Through the diversity of these divisions, Bytes Technology Group is able to offer a wide variety of services and solutions, including: software licensing; site services and support; strategic business and platform consultancy; project services; software licensing; storage solutions; managed and outsourced services; people solutions and product supply.

Bytes Technology Group’s international arm includes Bytes Technology Group UK as well as African operations in Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia and Mauritiu.

About Kagiso

Kagiso Trust is a leading-edge non-governmental development finance organisation, established in 1985 with funds from the European Union’s Special Programme for the Support of Victims of Apartheid. The organisation aims to promote reconstruction and development in South Africa, by improving the quality of life of the poor and marginalised.

Kagiso Trust Investments (Pty) Ltd (KTI) is the investment arm of the Kagiso Trust. KTI has a diverse investment portfolio that includes media, financial services, foreign exchange, property investment, fleet management, asset management and IT. KTI takes an active role in the organisations in which it invests, as part of the management and control of the organisations, with the aim in mind of creating sustainable businesses, and of transferring skills and money back to previously disadvantaged individuals.

Kagiso Trust has adapted and transformed itself in line with the political changes in South Africa, and as a result remains one of the most respected black empowerment development organisations in the country.

About Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent is a global provider of voice, data and video communication services. The organisation was formed from the merger of Alcatel and Lucent Technologies, and is a leader in providing end-to-end communication solutions. These include fixed, mobile and converged broadband access as well as carrier and enterprise IP technologies, applications, and services.

Alcatel-Lucent makes significant investments into Research and Development, and currently has more than 25 000 active patents from a variety of different technology areas. Alcatel-Lucent’s research organisations include Bell Labs and the Research & Innovation Group.

Alcatel-Lucent aims to become the world’s first truly global communications solutions provider, with the most complete end-toend portfolio of solutions and services in the industry.