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  Smart Cities in Africa The emergence of smart cities has led to a growing demand for smart solutions as more and more cities are realising the need for digital transformation. This trend toward the simplification of day-to-day operations and livelihood where digital smart solutions occur as part of the daily process is fast-tracking digital transformation in Africa.   Tatu City, one of the largest smart cities in Kenya, took cyber strides to provide unparalleled convenience to the residents and visitors of Tatu Cty. This was achieved through a partnership for a Digital Transformation Smart City Solution Architecture and Project Management services to steer the implementation to a successful conclusion.   What is meant by a Smart City? The Smart City concept refers to the use of innovative IoT solutions and information technologies in an effort to enhance the quality and performance of urban services such as utilities, transportation, and energy to reduce costs, wastage, and resource consumption.  By making use of data and technology, municipalities enjoy improved sustainability, the creation of operational efficiencies, and economic development. Residents benefit from enhanced quality of life through improved energy infrastructure.   Tatu City Tatu City is a 5000acre new city with homes, schools, offices, a shopping district, medical clinics, nature areas, a sports, and entertainment complex, and a manufacturing area for more than 250,000 residents and tens of thousands of daily visitors. Schools and businesses are already open in Tatu City and a range of homes suiting all incomes.   Solutions and services implemented at Tatu City Tatu City Limited engaged TTCS in a digital transformation partnership to steer TATU CONNECT, the Utility arm of TATU City, Towards the successful implementation and rollout of an interconnected Utilities Management System for Water and Power Services.   TTCS rolled out a solution that enabled all residents and commercial entities to be connected to water and electricity services through digital smart meters. These smart meters are connected to a backend Meter Data Management system for the collection and analysis of consumption data and are seamlessly integrated into various electronic payment platforms to allow residents to settle their water and electricity bills through multiple convenient payment channels of their choice. The residents will also have a number of self-services availed through the customer portal to allow them to raise incidences/complaints and monitor the resolution progress, monitor usage of each of the utility services, view account status, etc from the comfort of their homes or offices.   Benefits to Tatu City "Smart City in a Box Solution" and process automation benefited Tatu City in the following ways: Optimisation of Utilities Service Delivery across the city Accurate and timely billing to customers Automated incident reporting, management, and resolution processes reducing the turnaround time for resolving incidents raised Enhanced and Automated Revenue Collection   Tatu City symbolises rethinking sustainable development using disruptive information technologies to establish world-class infrastructure. Local authorities can also take advantage of the ease and simplicity of smart city solutions for payment and revenue collection.    Find out more: Tatu Smart City Technology    

Overview: Industry: Government Mandate: Oversee the affairs of Malawi Presence: Lilongwe, Malawi Website: www.malawi.gov.mw     Challenges faced before implementation   There was a need for enhanced transparency and accountability in government for the purpose of improving the management of public funds.  Inadequate control over expenditure in Government  Weaknesses in the management of financial information, hence need to produce timely financial reports The old system was prone to financial abuse Maintaining an updated Asset Register and a recurring Audit query of financial reports had been cumbersome The Government of Malawi noted that the current version of Epicor was outdated and did not meet the changing needs and requirements for improved financial management and therefore started the procurement of a new IFMIS platform. Solutions and services implemented TTCS Implemented the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), powered by SAP, for public sector financial management end-to-end business process management. The following modules were implemented:   Financial Accounting Budgeting Electronic Document Management Procurement and Inventory Management Projects and Contract Management Asset Management Helpdesk   Why IFMIS? The Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) improves financial management, enhances control over expenditure, produces timely financial reports, and enhances transparency and accountability in government.   Benefits realised The implementation improved the Government of Malawi business processes in the following ways: Improved asset management. It is now possible to record assets and update the Asset register immediately once an asset has been procured. The system provides Commitment control aimed at reducing or eliminating the incidence of commitments outside the system. It is therefore now possible to know the total commitments of an MDA as well as Government-wide. The use of a small number of Pool Expenditure Accounts (Towards TSA) enhances the oversight and management of government cash. The implementation of the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) addresses the loss of documentation for transactions when required. Helpdesk functionality is ensuring that issues are logged and followed up to resolution. The helpdesk also is used as a knowledge management tool that informs the training needs of users thus ensuring focus and targeted training for end users Increased security to avoid fraudulent activities Improved financial record keeping and management Enhanced transparency and access to information Increased efficiency

How do i choose the right software for my business?   Business Requirements - Identify who will have access to the system as well as the business processes that you would want the system to address. Having unclear stated requirements from the onset will affect implementation timelines and cost Customisation  - While off-the-shelf systems may be an option, different types of businesses have functions that differ. Therefore, determine what is specific to your business so as to have the right fit. Differentiate your actual needs from what would simply be nice-to-have which can be add-ons at a later stage. Budget - Select a solution that aligns with your budget. Take into account the license type be it a subscription-based or perpetual license, license fees, hardware costs, and maintenance costs. Perpetual licenses can be used indefinitely while subscription-based ones allow you to pay for access for a stipulated period of time or per user. Analytics - Identify the reports that are critical for your business. Enterprise software that offers real-time analytics will go a long way in providing business performance insights that enable you to make quick informed decisions to stay on the right course to achieve your business goals. Training needs - The implementation of a new system requires training to ensure the system is utilised. Select your software solution factoring in your training needs. Scalability - When the business grows there is a need for additional requirements meaning a change in capacity. Be sure to select a solution that you will not need to discard when your business grows but one that you can easily adapt.  Technical Support - Identify who will be responsible for ongoing technical support, whether it will be your IT personnel or the software provider. Also, ascertain if you would want a service provider who provides support remotely or one who can dispatch support consultants in the area your business is located. Integration - If there are other systems you would want to integrate with check that the software you are procuring is able to integrate with other systems easily. Change Management - Determine how you will implement a change management strategy. A change management plan is necessary to prepare and support your workforce to assimilate the new system into their daily work activities.  Deployment method - Select the method of deployment that suits you considering factors such as security, legal requirements, and cost. Business solutions can be deployed on-premise, cloud, or a combination of both.       

In this dynamic era with massive technology disruption, investing in digital technologies is of paramount importance to remain competitive. The business environment calls for agile practices and strategies regardless of the industry. Continued use of outdated legacy systems promotes a rise in maintenance costs and vulnerability to security threats and barriers to operational efficiency.    What is Digital Transformation? While there are many definitions of digital transformation, in simple terms it is the strategic change brought about by integrating digital tools and technologies into an organisation’s systems, business processes, and services. It results in adding value and transforming the experience of customers, and employees and adds value to other stakeholders.   Drivers of Digital Transformation In the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), digital technologies such as cloud computing, IoT, automation, machine learning, social and mobile platforms are key drivers of digital transformation. Chief among the goals of undertaking digital initiatives for any organization is the creation of sustainable competitive advantage in an ever-changing marketplace. A Global Survey of executives by Mckinsey revealed that the COVID pandemic forced many companies to accelerate the digitization of operations, customer, and supply chain engagements by four years, while digital or digitally enabled products accelerated by seven years. Numerous enterprises were forced to find ways to continue operations while working remotely thus moving from the traditional ‘bricks and mortar to ‘bricks and clicks’ model by establishing customer-centric e-commerce websites. Marketing and distribution strategies have been altered to suit the new digital landscape which has seen a rise in online distribution channels, and digital marketing.   Examples of digital transformation in industries Robotic Process Automation in the Manufacturing Industry In manufacturing, Robotic Process Automation uses software robots to monitor inventory levels and send notifications when the inventory is about to go below stipulated thresholds. Coupled with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, shortages can be averted through monitoring demand patterns and accurate forecasting based on real-time data. IoT in the Utilities Industry In utilities, IoT enables Local Authorities to revolutionise water management through Smart City Water Management. IoT sensors collect and analyse real-time data from smart meters and send notifications on issues such as water consumption levels, water pressure, and water quality. With this information, local authorities can perform remote quality control while residents and corporates can reduce wastage.   How does digital transformation affect customers? The incorporation of digital technologies across customer touch points has created better customer understanding that goes a long way in improving service delivery, product development, customer experience, and satisfaction. Technology has changed the way businesses interact with customers as well as how they serve them. For instance, in the manufacturing and retail industry through web-based applications, customers can view products through online catalogs, compare prices and make payments seamlessly through online payments or mobile wallets.   Across industries, customers can apply for services via online applications and lodge complaints via self-service portals or mobile applications. Customers thus benefit from the availability of information, increased access to products and services due to flexible channels, lower costs, and personalised services. There has never been an appropriate time than now to invest in digital technologies such as cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, customer relationship management, and mobile applications which enable real-time processing of information, customer requests, orders, and complaints.   Technology has disrupted the way of doing business, and while it presents many opportunities, resisting the change can lead to becoming irrelevant in an ever-changing business environment. Digital Transformation is therefore inevitable to have a sustainable competitive advantage. An investment will thus help to achieve goals of profitability and strengthening revenue streams. Should you wish to take the first step in your digital transformation journey browse our solutions or consult an expert.

The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) has been a buzzword for the last ten years but various businesses and public sectors in some developing countries seem generally unperturbed. In understanding what the 4IR is, it is key to explore what the first three revolutions were all about. The first 3 Industrial Revolutions The proponent of the First Industrial Revolution was based on how production was mechanised by water and steam power. This was the age of boilers in production plants and steam locomotives. The Second Industrial Revolution used electrical power to enable the mass production of goods. The Third Industrial Revolution rode on the use of electronics and Information Technologies to automate production. Technologies involved in the fourth industrial revolution 4IR calls for digital transformation that is, re-imagining the use of digital technologies to create new, or modify existing business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements. It involves synergies between digital technologies, biology, and physical systems. Mpoeng Mpoeng describes the 4IR as ‘simply the integration and connection of all our processes, systems and technology using advancements such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, virtual reality, 3D printing, and many others. Similar to the previous revolutions, 4IR will significantly disrupt our status quo and business as usual at the government, company, and individual levels.   The 4IR is marching on and is bringing about significant disruption to all in its path. 3D printing in the construction Industry, a typical four-bedroom house can be printed within forty-eight hours at a fraction of the cost of a conventional construction model.   The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing the maintenance of plants and equipment by utilising sensors on these pieces of equipment to predict possible times and points of failure. The data provided by the sensor allows organisations to do predictive maintenance, which in turn reduces downtime. IoT smart farming technologies in particular can have the greatest impact on enhancing productivity for farmers and growers. IoT sensors and GPS devices are used in smart farming to track and monitor vital agricultural components such as soil moisture, temperature, humidity, water tank levels, vibration, carbon dioxide, livestock tracking, beehives, equipment, and more.   The 4IR is delivering disruption and no industry will be spared. In some countries the impact is immediate but in some, it seems to be taking its sweet time. The fact is, 4IR is inevitable and businesses must align or sink. Imagine the havoc that 3D printing will cause to the construction industry once fully adopted globally. ADOPT and avoid becoming another KODAK!   Explore our Intelligent Agriculture Solution: Smart Farmer Learn More     

New processes, different ways of working, unfamiliar systems: a solution implementation may confuse users. Not knowing the outcome of change prevents many organisations from reaching their full potential. Change Management is crucial for the success of any IT project. Involving employees correctly - and from the start - will make them drive the changes! The employee acceptance or rejection of the project will influence its outcomes. Organisational change management is a step-by-step measure. Managing the transition effectively will help your team overcome the fear of the unknown.   What is Change Management? A collective term for all approaches to prepare, support, and help individuals, teams, and organizations in making organisational change. Change Management is crucial for the success of any IT project. By involving employees correctly and from the start, you turn them into allies and drivers of change! It is not just the IT experts who need to understand the new applications – it’s the entire management team and employees. Including employees in the process will make them excited about the shared journey, and they will be more reactive to shaping the new processes.   How to manage the change process? Step 1: Recognizing the changes in the broader business environment Step 2: Developing the necessary adjustments for the company's needs Step 3: Training the employees on the appropriate changes Step 4: Winning the support of the employees with the persuasiveness of the appropriate adjustments

Overview: KTDA Management Services Ltd provides services to tea factory companies. The company is contracted to manage tea cultivation, handle payments to farmers for green leaf delivery, as well as market the manufactured tea. KTDA also develops and provides technical, financial, and managerial infrastructure support services. Industry: Agriculture Organization mandate: Provides management services to tea manufacturing companies Presence: 70 Offices throughout Kenya Employee count: 1,300+ Website: www.ktdateas.com Head Office: KTDA Farmers Building, Moi Avenue, Nairobi   Challenges before implementation The existing solutions were highly customised, which made it difficult to upgrade KTDA ran multiple disparate systems which limited the global view, thereby compromising data integrity through errors and perpetuating delays Data security was compromised due to lack a of backup systems Unavailability of total business intelligence led to poor decision-making   Why SAP? SAP solutions assist KTDA in operating efficiently through a comprehensive, integrated system that ensures high data integrity, operational transparency, and agility. The power of SAP solutions applied to KTDA’s business operations has built the capacity to empower them to meet their corporate objectives.   Solutions & services implemented Financial and Management Accounting Treasury Plant Maintenance Materials Management Sales & Distribution Production Planning Human Capital Management Organizational Management Personnel Administration Employee & Management Self-Service and Payroll Grower Payments Solution Manager Workflow Security Basis Portal Business Intelligence Analytics   Business benefits Integrated systems ensure that KTDA has a full view of business performance - enabling well-informed decision-making Improved access to real-time information due to a single source of data is empowering KTDA to act on accurate and real-time intelligence Process efficiency has been improved by real-time transaction processing Reduced downtime and enhanced operational efficiency KTDA now has access to up-to-date, comprehensive, and detailed financial information important for strategic decisions Increased automation and process optimisation have reduced operational costs   Download the PDF

Overview: Press Corporation (PLC) is a public company incorporated in Malawi, under the Companies Act 1984. It is the largest holding company in Malawi, and has interests in different sectors of the Malawi economy including: financial services; telecommunications; energy property investments; and hospitality and tourism. The highly diversified company has stakes in fifteen companies comprising eight subsidiaries, four joint ventures and one associate. Organization Mandate: Maintaining a leading position in the private sector, and in sectors where potential market growth is ascertained from the global economic and social trends Size: Over 200 employees Presence: Malawi   Challenges faced before implementation Press Corporation Limited was faced with data entry duplication and low speed in processing its financial data. Accessing information across the group was also very difficult. PCL, therefore, sought to find a system that will provide a platform that allows easier consolidation of financial data from the PCL subsidiaries to the head office.   Solutions & services implemented Financial Accounting Financial Controlling Materials Management Real Estate Management Workflow Human Capital Management. TTCS trained super users to be able to carry out transactions in the system and provided post-go-live support.   Business benefits realised Elimination of non-value adding activities, such as data entry duplication Timely processing of PCL's financial data Better information for critical decisions Reduced reliance on legacy systems Improved quality of financial data Improved ability to service customers Enhanced information sharing and access across the group   Download the PDF