SA business intelligence software provider launches in Kenya
A South African based business intelligence software provider launched operations in Kenya as it moves to tap into the growing regional market. ASYST Intelligence, leading suppliers of Business Intelligence (BI) software and services on the continent, last week unveiled ASYST Intelligence East Africa to be based in Nairobi, which will also serve the East and Central Africa markets.
“There has been good growth in a number of African countries like Kenya and Angola. Kenya wasn’t affected so much by the global economic crisis and that presents a good environment for us to launch here,” said Mr Mr Paul Morgan, ASYST Intelligence Group Managing Director. Business Intelligence (BI) is a set of tools which turn raw data from applications (such as SAP A1 or B1) into accurate, contextual information – ensuring business decisions are made in time. It enables organisations track, understand, and manage vital business information. The software consolidates information from multiple applications such as enterprise resource planning (payroll, accounts, warehousing among others) and customer relationship management, and generates easy to understand reports in form of dashboards, graphics and charts.
Corporate organisations in the region have had to buy these solutions from South Africa and the United Kingdom. “Now business intelligence solutions are now available locally together with experts to provide support,” said Ms Mala Bhatt the Sales Director, ASYST Intelligence East Africa. Addressing managers from big corporate organisations in Kenya, who are the core users of Business Intelligence, Ms Bhatt said the software is assuming a strategic role as organisations look for ways to tap into the valuable data stored in their operational systems.
She said the software is currently the top priority for CEOs and their Chief Information Officers (CIOs) as it also quick to implement and show value. “Now managers don’t have to ask the IT guys for guidance on reading reports, and to understand what’s going on in the company. Business Intelligence can generate a variety of self-service reports using the data analysis tools,” said Ms Bhatt.
ASYST Intelligence East Africa, owned by business management software firm Bluekey Kenya and ASYST Intelligence South Africa, projects annual business growth of 15 to 20 percent. Business Intelligence consolidates information from multiple applications such as enterprise resource planning (payroll, accounts, warehousing among others) and customer relationship management, and generates easy to understand reports in form of dashboards, graphics and charts. It is also a scalable solution and can apply for up to 100,000 users.
Ms Bhatt said ASYST Intelligence targets business in various sectors including financial, public sector, manufacturing and telecommunications, among others. The company has over nine years experience in business intelligence and data integration and has implemented the solution at household names in South Africa like Eskom, Anglo Platinum, RMB Private Bank, Mutual & Federal and the department of Public Enterprises.
Mr Morgan said Business Intelligence from SAP has been rated among the top three business management software globally, according to research by Gartner Institute. Any company with a Business Intelligence capability will respond quicker and more effectively to challenges and opportunities, he said.
Ms Bhatt said companies have volumes of underutilised information which can be collated to grow sales and improve business management. She noted that economic recovery in the Kenyan and the East Africa region presented a growing market for the software.
