Spescom Limited
South African information technology company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Spescom Limited is a South African information and communications technology (ICT) company founded in 1977 by Tony Farah. The company was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SPS.[1][2] Spescom provides business communications and enterprise technology solutions to clients in sectors including telecommunications, broadcasting, government and corporate enterprises. The company operates through several business units that deliver contact centre systems, telecommunications infrastructure, and media technology solutions. The group has operated in South Africa and other markets in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in parts of Europe and the Middle East. Over time, the company has restructured its business portfolio, exiting some international and non-core operations as part of a strategic refocus on communications and enterprise technology services.[3] The company’s reported workforce size was around 258 employees. [4]
| Industry | Information Communication Technology |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Tony Farah |
| Headquarters | South Africa, Johannesburg , South Africa |
| Products | Voice and screen recording Contact centre Enterprise Communication Software |
History
Spescom Limited was founded in 1977 by Tony Farah. The company initially operated in the field of electronic test and measurement equipment before expanding into communications and energy-related technologies during the 1980s and 1990s.
The company focuses on providing business communications solutions that integrate voice, video, and data technologies.[citation needed] It operates through four main divisions: Spescom DataFusion, Spescom DataVoice, Spescom Telecommunications, and Spescom Media IT. Spescom has offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and London, and employs approximately 258 staff members.[citation needed]
In September 1990, the company developed the Cashpower 2000, a keypad prepayment electricity meter, which was licensed by meter manufacturers internationally. In 1993, Spescom secured an international contract for prepayment meters in Brazil. These meters are now sold in over thirty-five countries worldwide.
On 6 March 1995, the company formed a joint venture with Siemens called Energy Measurements, to develop energy management and revenue collection systems, focusing on prepayment electricity metering. Spescom no longer has an interest in this market space.
In 2007, exited its interest in the enterprise software sector with the sale of its US operation, Enterprise Informatics,[5] to focus on the convergence of voice, video and data communications. In 2008, the company introduced Libra Mobile, a system combining mobile and fixed-line telephony recording.[6]
In 2010, the company established NewTelco South Africa in partnership with NewTelco GmbH. NewTelco SA provide carrier-neutral co-location service provider for local, regional and international carriers in South Africa. In mid-2010, the company opened an office in Kampala, Uganda to support its entry into East Africa. Spescom supplies services to large African communication organisations including Telkom, Neotel[7] and Sentech, as well as financial institutions, public sector clients and contact centres in the region.
Company structure
Spescom's operating divisions are:
Spescom DataFusion
Spescom DataFusion is a division Spectrum Limited that offers contact centre and enterprise telephony solutions to medium and large organisations. It provides systems integration, hosted and managed services and support services for business communication platforms. This division works with technology partners such as Avaya and provides solutions tailored to customers interaction environment[8]
Spescom DataVoice
Spescom DataVoice develops technology products and software for recording and managing of voice and screen transactions, as well as related business processes such as performance management, workforce optimisation. It's products include the Libra and Nexus recording systems, Qnique workflow software and Libra Mobile, a system for mobile and fixed-lining recording. The company's products are used by organizations in multiple regions, including the United States, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Spescom DataVoice sells it's systems directly through channel partners.
Spescom Media IT
Spescom Media IT provides broadcast industry software, services, and enabling technologies and equipment from image capture through to transmission. Its offering includes the supply and implementation of relevant technology and equipment, as well as services such as consultation, design, planning, workflow analysis, project management, training, support, repairs, and maintenance. Its key technology partners include Sony and Avid. Clients include SABC, Multichoice in South Africa, and Mauritius Broadcast Corporation, Swazi TV, and Namibia Broadcast Corporation.
Spescom Telecommunications
Spescom Telecommunications is a systems integrator for fixed and mobile telecommunications network operators; utilities; transportation and government communications backbones; and for carrier network operators' transmission and access networks. Its services include planning, engineering, project management, procurement, logistics, installation, commissioning, testing, support and training. This is enabled by its team who provide services with systems integration, maintenance, and migration of transport and access networks, as well as local support. This division counts major network operators and service providers among its customers. Key technology partners include ECI Telecom, Gilat Satellite Networks, Rad Data Communications, RadWin, Ceragon Networks, and Light Pointe.
NewTelco South Africa
NewTelco South Africa is a one-stop shop for carrier-neutral co-location services provision created in partnership with NewTelco Gmbh. It provides an independent telecoms hub that offers local, regional, and international carriers with a presence in South Africa the opportunity to interconnect with any other carriers subscribed to its hub – in a neutral setting. The hub is currently being built and equipped and will be located at Spescom's Midrand premises in South Africa. Its services launched at the end of 2010.[9][10]