Author: Gugu Lourie
By Carey van Vlaanderen, CEO, ESET Southern Africa Have you seen emails pretending to come from South African Revenue Services (SARS) – the ones that lead you to infected websites or that try and lure you into opening infected attachments? Have you heard of scammers filling your taxes for you and trying to get your refund? In South Africa, tax season means high risk for many people. Cyber criminals perform phishing attacks on the SARS website, send fake refund advice to potential victims and take the tax refund themselves. How hard is it to tell if an email or text message…
By Anthony Kent High street shops are well-established online these days and provide new opportunities for interaction between shop and shopper. Consumers have become accustomed to shopping using a range of devices and the immense popularity of smartphones and mobile devices has led to the rise of mobile or m-retailing, with new communication and distribution channels created with these in mind. Perhaps this mix of the real and online worlds are helpful precursors for what may be the “next big thing”: virtual reality shopping. Virtual reality (VR) experiences are typically provided through wearable headgear or goggles that block out the…
By Ujuh The tablet, as mobile computing device, has become a “nice to have” a development represented in the 2015 shipment numbers from manufacturers. The latest report on device shipment from ICT consulting firm, Gartner, shows tablets losing some steam alongside personal computers while the mobile is keeping up growth speed. The Gartner report noted that “The tablet has become a ‘nice to have’ device, and there is no real need for an upgrade as regularly as for the phone.” This is after the reported noted that the shipment of ultramobile segment (tablets and clamshells) is set on pace to…
By Staff Writer Evolving customer needs and expectations are a challenge facing all retail sectors. As part of its retail strategy the BMW Group SA is implementing a comprehensive new programme called Future Retail in all its BMW and MINI dealerships over the next two-years. Future Retail comprises of a range of retail initiatives and tools designed to enhance a BMW customer’s premium retail experience. With Future Retail, the BMW Group aims to: Increase the number of possible customer contact points; Expand the services and benefits offered through retail channels; Enhance the retail experience at dealerships and through initiatives like…
By Staff Writer Judgement in the challenge by Solidarity Union to obtain an interdict against Telkom’s planned job cuts has been reserved by the Labour Court in Johannesburg. Judge David Gush reserved judgement today in Solidarity’s urgent application against Telkom’s restructuring process. Judgement will be served in the Labour Court tomorrow at 11:00. The application, which was heard in the Labour Court in Johannesburg, was lodged after Telkom disregarded the agreement with trade unions with regard to restructuring processes. Marius Croucamp, spokesman at Solidarity, said the union is hopeful that the court will intervene for the sake of the workers. “Telkom simply…
By Staff Writer Bidvest Media, a division of JSE-listed group Bidvest has acquired a majority stake in Retroviral Digital Communications (Retroviral). The acquisition results in Retroviral becoming a subsidiary of Bidvest Media, launching the company’s foray into the digital marketing sector. Bidvest Media currently has a 100% stake in MSCSPORTS, an integrated sports marketing and sponsorship agency, Create, and an airport’s media company, with Retroviral its second media and marketing acquisition. Retroviral co-founder Mike Sharman retains an interest in the company, and is committed to remain at its helm. His entire team moves under the Bidvest Media umbrella with him, ensuring strategic and…
By Dr Corine Van Erkom Schurink, While predictive analytics is a hot topic, many local businesses are hesitant to embrace it. However, given the significance of providing valuable insight on the current and future performance of a company, implementation has to happen sooner rather than later. Some decision-makers are concerned about the complexity of integrating with business functions that are seemingly quite disparate – think marketing and IT for example. However, once the value of predictive analytics is understood, as well as the associated processes and data requirements, then the choice becomes clear. While it makes sense to utilise predictive analytics…
By Staff Writer MTN Group today announced the resignation of Ahmad Farroukh, CEO of MTN South Africa, which is effective 31 July 2015. “This was a difficult decision to take for Ahmad, but unavoidable due to personal and family reasons,” says MTN Group President and CEO, Sifiso Dabengwa. Mr. Farroukh joined MTN in 2006, with the acquisition of Investcom. He has fulfilled several roles during his tenure with the Group. Farroukh is a former CEO of MTN Nigeria, and served in a similar role at MTN Ghana. Before assuming the role of Group Chief Operating Executive, he was Vice-President of…
By Staff Writer Local mobile technology brand AG Mobile has launched the Ghost – the first Android smart phone with a lifetime warranty. The company which was the first in the country to launch its own brand of phone in 2007 – and has launched over 50 other devices since – guarantees it will replace any faulty device for the lifetime of the phone, and three years after the phone has been discontinued. The warranty includes the replacement of two cracked screens – at no charge – as well as a 24-hour replacement with a new phone areas across the…
Cyberbullying, bullying that takes place using digital technology, has become a serious issue. The consequences can be serious: children become withdrawn and secretive, their schoolwork suffers and they may become aggressive, depressed or even prone to self-harm. By Staff Writer But even if your children face something like this, there is still a lot that parents can do by offering support at the right times and initiating a discussion about the problem. We want more parents to be aware of what cyberbullying is, how to recognise its first signs and how to tackle the issue. Although the Internet is a virtual…