Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 29 | Page 10

NEWS Safaricom to accelerate cloud adoption in Kenya with Amazon Web Services Safaricom has announced a strategic agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS), which will see the telco become a reseller of AWS services. The agreement is designed to accelerate Safaricom’s internal IT transformation, lower costs and provide it with a blueprint and skilled resources to assist customers with their journey to the cloud. “We chose to partner with AWS because it offers customers the broadest and deepest cloud platform, overall commitment to security excellence and a strong culture of customer obsession. This agreement will allow us to accelerate our efforts to enable Digital Transformation in Kenya,” said Michael Joseph, Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom. In addition, Safaricom will be able to offer AWS services to East-African customers, allowing businesses of all sizes to quickly get started on AWS cloud and accelerate innovation. Safaricom also announced the attainment of Advanced Consulting Partner status in the AWS Partner Network (APN), becoming one of the first APN members in East Africa. The APN is the global partner programme for technology and consulting businesses who leverage AWS to build solutions and services for customers. The APN helps companies build, market and sell their AWS offerings by providing valuable business, technical and marketing support. This achievement recognises the skills, knowledge and experience in AWS cloud services that the Safaricom PLC team has gained. Safaricom’s announcement to work with AWS has been met with interest by customers, with enterprises, start-ups and government agencies expressing a desire to use the partnership to build their cloud strategy. Mayflex appoints a new account manager for the Midlands Mayflex, the distributor of converged IP solutions, has appointed a new account manager to manage and develop accounts in the Midlands and surrounding areas, with a specific focus on the security product portfolio as part of the converged solution. Matthew Farthing joined the business at the end of March and comes to Mayflex from a security installer background, so is familiar with the type of customer Mayflex works with. Having worked in a general sales and national account management role, Matthew is currently undergoing a full induction, albeit it remotely, to prepare himself for when he can get on the road to visit his customer base. Regions covered by Matthew include Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Northampton, Birmingham Wolverhampton, Coventry, Telford, Peterborough and Cambridge. We are forging ahead with a full remote induction plan by using the tools and infrastructure set in place by our IT team. Tom Filce, Head of Security Sales at Mayflex, said: “Matthew has joined the Mayflex team at an exceptional time for the industry and the country. We are forging ahead with a full remote induction plan by using the tools and infrastructure set in place by our IT team.” Matthew Farthing, Account Manager for the Midlands at Mayflex Farthing said: “I am looking forward to meeting with my colleagues and customers, helping them with their individual project requirements and supporting them with expertise and advice helping to make Mayflex the go-to distributor when opportunities arise for security projects and installations.” • 10