Information and communications technology: South Africa
From www.entrepreneurstoolkit.org
Information and communications technology
In the age of information and communications technology, it is difficult to run a business without using this technology for communication and marketing. Websites about one’s business are nowadays a common tool for marketing and also financially accessible for small businesses. Similarly, one needs to be connected to the internet if one wants to reach a wider base of customers.
You may also decide to start your business in the field of information and communications technology. The article from Businesspartners Ltd. below shows that in the years to come businesses in that field could possibly receive government support:
Department of Communications earmarks ICT development for 2010
From Business Partners Ltd. [1] and [2]
To ensure the country's ability to provide quality Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Department of Communications (DoC) has allocated R548 million to ICT infrastructure development. This is bound to provide opportunities for SMEs in this industry. The DoC describes quality ICT as "the critical, invisible success factor to the 2010 World Cup" and aims to develop new infrastructure and maximise the use of existing services. Their 2010 Soccer World Cup programme will see a major financial injection into enterprise development; in particular government enterprises such as Sentech, Broadband Infraco and the Uhurenet project. Technical specifications for ICT infrastructure at host cities have been finalised and signed off between itself, FIFA and the FIFA Local Organising Committee. Telkom and Sentech have also completed their improvement plans for satellite and fixed-network connectivity. The refurbishment of the international broadcast centre launched in April 2008 is on track for the handover to FIFA in January 2010. A fully operational model of the centre will be established at Coca Cola Park, in Johannesburg , for the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup. Although major government investment has been earmarked for larger enterprises, small businesses are bound to benefit from the knock-on effect of private companies outsourcing various projects. The Department has committed to ensuring that the ICT development for the World Cup, will leave a "lasting legacy" long after the event is over.
Case Example: Tele Medicine
Source: [3]
Telemedicine has been introduced into health institutions throughout the Provinces of South Africa. Ophthalmology and Ultrasound were selected for KwaZulu-Natal. The National Department of Health is supporting the installation of telemedicine in KwaZulu-Natal, by covering the cost of the installation of the ISDN lines and the calls made for the first year of operation. Telemedicine aims to reduce the number of patient referrals from smaller hospitals and community health centers (send sites) to the larger hospitals (receive sites), by giving the medical staff the necessary support they need. This will also be of a great benefit to patients who will not need to travel great distances, but will be able to obtain the necessary treatment in their own hospital. King Edward VIII and Edendale hospital have been selected in KwaZulu-Natal as receive sites. Dialogue and images are sent via ISDN lines from send sites to the receive site where a diagnosis can be done. Send sites can also communicate with each other. An examination can done in real time, that is whilst the patient is being examined the doctor at the send site can converse with the doctor at the receive site who is also able to see images of the patient. This is ideal for emergency situations. Where the situation is not as serious the images can be saved and sent by email and examined at a later stage. Institutions have been supplied with the necessary equipment needed, which includes: a PC with large monitor, a large screen TV and a camera.
TeleUltrasound Seven send sites have been selected for TeleUltrasound, these are: G. J. Crookes hospital, KwaDabeka Community Health Centre, Mahatma Gandhi hospital, Osindisweni hospital, Phoenix Community Health Centre, Port Shepstone hospital and Stanger hospital with King Edward VIII hospital being the receive site. All the equipment has been installed at the hospitals and training has been carried out. Ms. Prem Moodley at King Edward VIII hospital has been chosen to oversee the Tele-Ultrasound project in KwaZulu-Natal and to promote the use of the equipment in the institutions. This project is slowly developing but as is the case with most new projects, especially when using new and unknown technology there are teething problems which has caused the progress to be less than satisfactory.
TeleOphthalmology Christ the King hospital and Madadeni hospital have been selected as send sites for Tele- Ophthalmology with both Edendale hospital and King Edward acting as receive sites. Edendale hospital is also involved with the “Fight-for Sight” Tele-Ophthalmology project, which links to National and International hospitals. A decision has been made to pool the resources in order to offer a more effective service to patients. The equipment has not been installed at King Edward VIII and further training needs to take place before Tele-Ophthalmology can become fully operative.
