Durban Location Based Marketing Event Today

There will be a location based marketing event in Durban today.

Speakers include:
Mike Saunders (DigitLab) will be your MC.
Alan Haarhoff (MMA)
Claudia Ramsden (ACSA)
Adrian Knowles (Just Park)
Denis Ruharo (Afriadd)
Tobie van der Spuy (CRIO)
Gerard Dumont (IBM)
Ian Hoffmann (Mobitec)

If you are interested in mobile marketing or the digital world then this event is for you.

There will also be a lucky draw and cocktails.

Where: Gateway Hotel - Corner Boulevard and Twilight Drive
When: Today from 1pm - 5pm
Register Here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/location-based-marketing-enabling-technologies-and-winning-strategies-tickets-12287571457

Highlights from Mobile Web in Africa and E-Tas 2014

Mobile Web in Africa 2014

Mobile Web in Africa held an interesting conference at the South Point Towers, Randlords in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. “Mobile Web in Africa” an interesting topic indeed. I’m sure a lot of folks have heard of the word mobile many times in their lives but they really don’t know what it is or what it really does, besides the fact that obviously we have mobile phones in our bags, rather hands and everywhere we go. 

Mobile refers to being able to move, not just move but move freely and easily of course and yes relating to mobile phones, handheld computers, handheld wireless device that allows users  to make calls and send texts and so forth. So at the conference it was more of mobile money, solution idea based and latest technologies.

At the conference there were great speakers lined up like the likes of Mike Sharman; founder of Retroviral, Sarag Arora; Principle consultant at KPMG South Africa, Walter Pike; founder at Pike and other great speakers. They emphasized on the importance of mobile money in Africa (Mobile money refers to payment services operated under financial regulation and performed from or via mobile phones or the internet) and how it has transformed Africa and the world as a whole and how the future looks like for mobile money.

It turned out that mobile money will become part of core economic infrastructure and money mobile operators and it will add features like ATM access mainstreams. That’s why mobile apps are the perfect platform to make payments and banking on your smart phones and tablets is the right way to go because it is convenient, safe and simple.

Standard Bank, Intel, Terragon group and JunkMail and other supporting organizations were part of the Mobile Web in Africa, in which they promoted creating an ecosystem, building new engagement platforms, new solutions across the customer’s life cycle, putting customers first and introducing the latest technologies like the AR. The conference was educating and innovating with the accurate and credible information that was shared by great speakers.   

Article by +Molly Dimpho 

TRAVEL & SOCIAL MEDIA AT THE E-TAS 2014

Damian Cook; CEO of E-Tourism Frontiers

The first E-Tourism Africa Summit at the great Turbine Hall venue in Newtown, Johannesburg.  Damian Cook; CEO of E-Tourism Frontiers, the company which organized the summit. E-Tourism Frontiers really knew what they were doing when they held their summit at Turbine Halls, with South African industrial architecture and breathtaking décor.

This summit focused on how online travel is changing and adapting and how personal touch is becoming a key focus. This included the importance of social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google, on how they play major roles to travelers and the audience in general. Not only that but ensuring that the audience is receiving the most authentic and correct information online since proliferation of information has taken the internet by storm. Most importantly it was about travel, technology and how travel trade can benefit from it.

Speakers like Chad Shiver, Mike Sharman, Sonal Patel, Spencer Spellman and Vusi Thembekwayo shared their experiences and great ideas to the delegates at the summit. Damian Cook emphasized on how important it is to take your brand and customers into consideration because at the end of the day it’s about helping your brand connect through conversation that inspire travel and tourism.

It was a tremendous event where delegates were stimulating business growth and sharing their experiences about travel, social networks and latest technologies. 

Article by +Molly Dimpho 

Vodacom rolls out Fibre to Business - FNB has Xbox One For You - Altech launches Node

Vodacom rolls out Fibre To The Business

Vodacom Business announced the launch of Fibre To The Business (FTTB) services in South Africa. The initial rollout phase of Vodacom’s new Broadband Connect Fibre service sees broadband connectivity of up to 100Mbit/s coming to selected business parks in Gauteng, Cape Town, and Durban. This new service means that businesses of all sizes that operate out of business parks will have access to high speed and high capacity data connections. This opens up a range of services to drive cost savings, improve efficiencies and increase competitiveness.

Broadband Connect Fibre uses the latest Passive Optical Network (PON) technology to give an unparalleled experience. With this new service, businesses will be able to access rich content experiences via the Internet that were previously only available to large corporate customers. These services include video collaboration, voice over internet protocol (VoIP), Hosted PBX, Office365, Cloud Backup and other data applications.

Since 2008, Vodacom has spent more than R2 billion investing in fibre transmission which connects its more than 10,000 cellular base stations and now forms the backbone of this new FTTB service.

“Most people don’t realise it, but underneath every mobile network is a high speed fixed network connecting the base stations. We’ve invested billions of rands in building our fibre optic network, meaning that we now have the critical mass to offer customers across South Africa access to the latest technology including FTTB,” said Vuyani Jarana, Chief Officer for Vodacom Business.

“Our new FTTB service paves the way for true cloud and other next generation services while opening the door to a new level of efficiency, mobility and cost savings,” added Jarana.

Vodacom Business’ Broadband Connect Fibre service provides SMEs with bundled uncapped internet access, a router and optional fixed-line VoIP which delivers as much as 30% savings on phone calls. Rapid deployment including the connecting and upgrading of fibre cables is part of the service, and all installation costs are covered by Vodacom. The plans, which are tailored to meet the needs of all sizes of business, offer a range of connection speeds from 5Mbit/s to 100Mbit/s.

Importantly, as part of its roll out plan, Vodacom will in the future be offering customers the option of installing additional equipment in their premises to, in effect, set up a dedicated mini mobile base station. This equipment, which uses the fibre connection to route cellphone traffic back into the network, will give the best possible mobile signal and eliminate any troublesome coverage spots in the office.

“A cornerstone of Vodacom’s Ready Business ethos is that our customers should have the fastest, most reliable connection,” says Jarana. “With the most extensive network across South Africa and proven reliability, we are positioned to offer world class broadband solutions that give SMEs and office park managers a clear business advantage.”

Discussing the rollout plans from here, Jarana said:

“We’re particularly excited about our acquisition of Neotel and what this will mean for the speed at which we can rollout broadband services. If given regulatory approval, we’ll be able to add Neotel’s 22,000 km of fibre to our existing network and then fast-track the provision of high speed connectivity not only for businesses but also for homes across South Africa. By doing this, we’ll be in the best possible position to support Government’s Broadband 2020 objectives.”

Jarana shared some additional insight into Vodacom Business’ FTTB strategy in an interview with Aki Anastasiou, visithttp://youtu.be/neBT4G-CSOY​ to view the interview.

For more information on how to apply for Vodacom Broadband Connect Fibre and pricing information, visithttp://www.vodacombusiness.co.za/business/solutions/internet/bbc-fibre

FNB opens pre-orders for the XBOX ONE

Qualifying FNB customers can now pre-order and secure the much anticipated XBOX ONE through FNB’s smart device offer.

The deal gives customers the choice between either the XBOX ONE console as a standalone deal or the XBOX ONE Kinect. Each deal includes one or more full length games, including FIFA 15 in the R399 per month offer. The inclusion of the games allow users to plug-and-play as soon as they receive the device, saving them the time and money of having to download the full game.

“Expanding our smart device range to include gaming consoles has proved to be popular, contributing to 5% of total devices sold over the last 12 months,” says Kartik Mistry, Head of FNB Smart Devices. 

“While our main motivation with the smart device offer is to provide the means for customers to bank digitally, we cannot deny the increasing move towards a connected lifestyle and home.”

Orders can be placed at www.fnb.co.za or by calling 087 736 7270

Altech launches Node: A world-first in entertainment technology and smart home solutions

Allied Technologies Limited (Altech) announced the launch of Altech Node, the world’s first fully converged home gateway console, offering the latest in movie entertainment, TV series, sports and business content, Internet access, and wireless smart home solutions.

Altech Node gives immediate access to more than 700 hours of entertainment without any buffering, with 10% to 20% of movies and TV shows updated monthly as older content is replaced with the latest and greatest releases. And through Node compatible accessories, it creates a smart home environment that can be directly controlled from the television screen.

According to Craig Venter, Group Executive Altron TMT / Chief Executive Officer: Altech, Node is like a DVD store in your home.

“At any time viewers can choose from a selection of hundreds of blockbuster movies on transactional video on demand – TVOD, in full 1080p High Definition, and 400 recent movies on subscription video on demand – SVOD. And what is especially brilliant about the way we have set up the Node, is that the content is streamed, and regularly updated, via satellite to the Node’s internal 1TB hard drive, so viewers don’t pay for massive Internet downloads and can access content literally the moment they decide to view it, with no delays and no buffering.”

Node maintains a carousel library of content on its hard drive, the majority of which can be accessed as part of the monthly subscription fee of R299. Node incorporates a once-off device cost of R3 499, unless customers opt to purchase the Node over a 24-month period at approximately R190 per month, depending on the selected data bundle. Free installation is included in the cost. Added to this is the fact that customers are not tied into long term contracts.

The latest blockbuster movie releases can be viewed for R25 and enjoyed for unlimited viewing over a 48 hour period. With a wide range of subscription video-on-demand titles, including movies and series, customers will be spoilt for choice. Sports fans and followers of business news and current affairs can catch up on the latest developments through up-to-date highlights packages.

Node is also unique in that it is an instant e-commerce platform that allows users to buy data, airtime and pre-paid electricity, and pay for municipal and utility services such as Eskom or Telkom – all from the comfort of their home and without the use of a computer.

In addition to the Node’s entertainment capabilities is its smart TV and smart home functionality that enables users to download Android apps, access the Internet and email, and control home appliances using Node branded Smart Plugs.

“In today’s high security conscious world the wireless camera and motion sensor capabilities of the Node are a tremendous value-add. With just one or two clicks of a button on the Node’s remote control, you are able to view up to four Node video cameras wirelessly on your TV screen or via another connected access device such as an iPad or cell phone,” says Venter.

“Node is much more than video on demand. It is an entertainment hub, a streaming server, a Wi-Fi hotspot, an e-commerce platform, a home automation and energy management system, a home security system, and a telephone and videophone, all in one and completely integrated. It is the most sophisticated home gateway in the world and is a true reflection of Altech’s mission to provide its customers with value-added products, services and solutions through the convergence of Telecommunications, Multi-media and Information Technology,” adds Venter.

“Our advertising payoff line for Node is: ‘One day we’ll wonder what we ever did without it’. Inherent in that statement is the notion that nothing like it has gone before, and that’s because nothing has,” concludes Venter.

Available at: 

Altech Autopage Cellular, Cell C, Dion Wired, Game, HiFi Corporation, Hirsch’s, Incredible Connection, JetMart, Makro, Pick ‘n Pay Hyper and other leading retailers.

Other key features of the Node include:

*        Node’s YouTube functionality that allows viewers to set up their own video playlists using another device, such as a smartphone, and queuing them to play on their TV;

*        Node’s built-in media player, MyMedia, which allows content to be played off other devices, such as the Altech Node branded and packaged USB flash drive, which enables users to also add and view their favourite home videos and holiday photos on their TV.

*        Node’s wireless Internet functionality turns it into a Wi-Fi hotspot and allows for up to 5 devices – the TV, computer, smartphone and tablet – to be connected simultaneously to stream content to these devices. No more fighting over which movie or TV series to watch!

*        Users can download Android apps for use on the Node, such as Internet radio streaming. For the kids there is the added advantage of access to hundreds of games to keep them entertained for hours.

*        Node offers Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony, allowing for two handsets and almost free on-net calling. Users can also videoconference via the Node.

*        Node is a home automation and energy management device. Using ZigBee peripheral devices, users can control house lights and switch on appliances such as geysers, either via the TV or remotely with a smartphone.

*        Node is secure, with state-of-the art encryption for movie payments, e-commerce and interfacing with other devices.

*        Node is easy to install. Users can do it themselves, even with the most rudimentary technical skills, and install their own automation and security equipment. And Node comes standard with an 80cm satellite dish – the new standard for Africa.

*        Node is easy to use. It has no buttons on its front face but comes with a remote control with an interface on each side – one being a QWERTY keyboard. And its RF remote control means line-of-sight isn’t necessary when using it. Users can also turn their smartphones into remote controls. Node’s customisable carousel-style navigation layout is easy to master. It also features one HDMI out port, two HDMI in ports to switch multiple HDMI ports into your TV, and an Ethernet connector and Wi-Fi for connectivity.

*        Node is extremely cost effective to operate and should users utilise the YouTube function extensively and require more cellular data, they can immediately top up their data via the Altech Node. Cellular pre-paid airtime can also be purchased through the Node.

More information on the Altech Node can be found at: www.node.co.za or visit Node on Twitter (@AltechNode); Facebook and YouTube.

 This edition by +Fred Felton 

Free Tech Symposium For Durban

Join the Dev Community At This Free Tech Symposium For Durban

Date: 22 September 2014
Time: 8am
Venue: Dept. Of Information Technology, DUT, 22 Winterton Walk, Ritson Campus,
To Register For This Free Event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/symposium-on-web-mobile-software-development-technologies-tickets-12948283665


If you love Dev and know what a scrum master is then this event is for you.  Join the Dev community of Durban and come by and meet Taylor Gibb, Microsoft MVP.  He will be giving a presentation at the event.


This edition by +Fred Felton

Digital Events In Durban This Week

There are 2 digital events coming up this week for Durban.

The Apple Event 

Yes it's the big event everyone is waiting for.  Apple is going to tell us what is coming up.
Is it an iWatch?  Are we seeing a new iPhone?  Is there a Top Secret Product coming out?
You can find out at Immedia.  They will be hosting a live stream of the event so you can watch it all live and see what develops.

Date: Tuesday 9 September 2014
Time: 18h30 for 7pm
Venue: The Quarterdeck

To Register: http://www.immedia.co.za/featured-content/livestream-apple-20140909/


Durban Digital Dinner


Digital Dinner will be held at The Breakers Resort Conference Venue, Umhlanga Rocks.
Date: Thursday 11 September 2014
Time: 6pm

Speakers include:

• Dr Craig McCleod - Build
• Gladywyn Leeuw - Anglo American
• Justin McCarthy - TBWA 

Look out for some keen insight all about tech, digital, entrepreneurship and marketing.

Afterwards Always Active Technologies will be hosting a quiz, look out for prizes.

Releaze will also have a goodie for a lucky winner.

CTRL Room will be providing free Wi-Fi at the event. 

Tickets with dinner: R250 each

Bookings: www.digitaldinner.co.za or tickets@digitaldinner.co.za 

For more info, corporate packages and sponsorship opportunities: Jonathan@digitaldinner.co.za

R1 billion Vodacom network upgrade for Gauteng - FNB brings you digital banking for under R100 - Jobs in Digital

R1 billion Vodacom network upgrade for Gauteng

Vodacom is busy upgrading its network big time.

Here are some of the improvements:

• Another 239 3G Sites added
• Additional 473 LTE Sites across South Africa
• 74.5%  of Vodacom sites are now connected using self-provided high capacity transmission.

Bringing this investment story closer to home, Shane Hibbard, Managing Executive for Vodacom’s operations in Gauteng explained that:

“I’m pleased to announce that in excess of R1 billion has been earmarked for network investment in Gauteng in the current financial year. Of this amount, a large portion will be used to upgrade and increase Gauteng’s 3G coverage in the major townships. By the end of March 2015 we will add more than 400 new 3G sites.''

On top of this, Vodacom is also in the process of growing its LTE footprint in the province. To this end around 600 new sites will be live in Gauteng by April next year. This will grow Gauteng’s current LTE coverage from 25% of sites to 38% of sites in the region.  

“With 4G/LTE, video and music downloads can be accomplished in a fraction of the time of traditional 3G services. The areas we’ll be focusing on increasing LTE coverage are the business hubs and urban areas such as Pretoria, Bryanston and Rosebank as well as in the major townships.”

These developments are being done to cater for the massive data traffic  and to provide more new capacity. 

(Source - Vodacom) 

FNB brings you digital banking for under R99 per month 

FNB will be adding a tablet to its smart device range for customers at R99 per month.

The Lenovo Ideatab which comes with a free protective cover includes 3G and WiFi. 

It has a 7 inch touch screen and long lasting battery life.  The tablet is paid off over 

24 month, interest free period.  

It can be ordered from FNB's website or by sending a SMS with 'data' to 31138.

The bank has also introduced the FNB Guru desk - a service centre that customers can contact to get help on anything from how to download the FNB App, to how to set up their new device. 

FNB Guru Desk available Mon - Fri 8am to 5pm on 087-736-7270 

Ts & Cs apply for this offer.

(Source - FNB) 

Jobs In Digital

PrintWild in Ballito is looking for a Digital Marketing Strategist

For more info: http://www.printwild.co.za/blog/were-hiring/

This edition by +Fred Felton 

Highlights from HackaDurban and Microsoft South Africa Reports On Unlicensed Software

HackaDurban Hosted Their First 24 Hour Hackathon on 15th - 16th August

Keynote speaker and judge included Craig McCleod and Bilal Kathrada.

Five challenges were identified:

1. Go Metro Challenge (Participants were asked to create a dataset of Durban bus schedules for Go Metro)

2. Project Hawk (Crime Surveillance)

3. Chariteez (An awareness driven t-shirt brand)

4. Danger (a game using Gamification elements)

On D-Day the participants had to pitch their model to a panel of judges.

Judges included Neil Vose, Jonathan Darker, Craig McCleod, Cade Lamalette, Bilal Kathrada and Alan Haarhoff.

First Place went to Chariteez for their creative use of branding in driving social awareness and responsibility. Second Place went to Project Hawk and Third Place went to Danger.

There were winners all around as each team left with some goodies from the sponsors.

To find out more about HackaDurban and their next event
visit: Durban.hackaglobal.com
Twitter: @HackaDurban
Email: NK on hackadurban@gmail.com



News From The Digital Crimes Unit at Microsoft South Africa

Unlicensed software still threatens local business growth

Fewer South African companies are using unlicensed software, opting to avoid the numerous security threats associated with counterfeit software, but one in three copies of software installed on local PCs during 2013 was still not properly licensed. The estimated commercial value (locally) of the unlicensed software is a whopping R4, 11 billion.

This, according to the latest BSA Global Software Survey, which states that there has been a 1 percentage-point decrease in the use of unlicensed software since 2011. The survey is conducted every second year by market research firm IDC and this year polled PC users in 34 markets including nearly 22,000 consumer and business users and more than 2,000 IT managers. BSA │ The Software Alliance is a non-profit trade association established to advance the goals of the software industry and its hardware partners and the organisation also represents Adobe, Autodesk and Noctranet and Symantec in South Africa.

“Hopefully this drop signals the start of a downward trend,” says Marius Haman, chair of the South Africa committee of BSA │ The Software Alliance and corporate attorney in the Digital Crimes Unit, Legal & Corporate Affairs at Microsoft Middle East & Africa. “Compared to unlicensed products, properly licensed software offers computer users more peace of mind when it comes to operational efficiency and security. Corporate users and general PC users are starting to view this peace of mind as an important component of success in business.” 

Pirate software - the digital equivalent of a Trojan horse of hackers

The biggest deterrent to using unlicensed software is being hacked or having your data stolen, as 64% of global computer users cited unauthorised access by hackers as a top threat while 59% of respondents cited loss of data.

This paranoia over malicious software being added into pirated software is not unfounded as the risks of using unlicensed software goes beyond breaking the law and infringing intellectual property rights of software vendors.

In a research whitepaper entitled The Dangerous World of Counterfeit and Pirated Software, IDC found that 78% of unlicensed software downloads included some form of tracking cookie or spyware installations. These install itself on a user’s PC and reports personal information without their knowledge such as credit card data, passwords and email contact lists that can all be exploited by cybercriminals.

When it comes to Trojans and other malicious adware, 27% of the downloaded counterfeit software incorporated these, which at best threaten a computer’s performance and may even cause it to crash, leading to costs in terms data and productivity losses. In the worst case scenario, the malicious software may also perform actions that are not authorised by the PC user like data deletion or copying of corporate information.

Often malicious software also prevents the installation of patches that Microsoft and other software vendors send to fix any vulnerability that hackers exploit, causing PC to remain vulnerable.

In spite of the potential damage that unlicensed software might cause to PC systems and networks, less than half of IT managers are very confident that their company’s software is properly licensed. Moreover, only 35% of businesses worldwide have written policies put in place that expressly require the use of properly licensed software.

“Business should ensure that they only purchase software from reputable companies, as a seller proposing to violate copyright law could just as easily view your credit card data or personal information as another source of revenue that can be sold to identity thieves,” warned Dale Waterman, who leads the Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit in the Middle East and Africa region.

Waterman added that the use of unlicensed software can easily be deterred within the business environment through the establishment of a formal policy on licensed software use. South African organisations have to consider implementing more robust software asset management programs that ensure adequate controls are in place to provide a full view into what is installed on a network, and help to avoid the occurrence of security and operational risks.

(Source - Microsoft South Africa) 

This Edition by +Fred Felton