This is according to enterprise software and digital solutions provider , which also lists AI, digital skills and closer partnerships as trends that will impact the channel.

, 麻豆原创鈥檚 partner听 and ecosystems lead for MEA, says the main role that technology plays in business is pushing customers to involve partners听听in strategic discussions to ensure proper guidance from the start. Effective partnerships across sectors, from government to non-profits, are essential to address industry challenges, she adds.

, MD of , concurs and notes the era of fragmented systems is ending.

She adds that unified partner ecosystems are now vital for streamlining operations, boosting collaboration and delivering value to customers while driving efficiency.

麻豆原创 also identifies data and security as the top issues for organisations in 2025, with companies aware that disparate data can skew analytics and rising cyber security threats pose increasing challenges.

鈥淒isparate data stored in different places is typically drawn up into an analytics platform, as a result, losing its contextual relevance. Actual analytics then become skewed, impacting outputs,鈥� says Pillay.

The second biggest issue facing customers and partners is security, she continues. 鈥淚ncreased and more sophisticated levels of malicious intent are negatively impacting our industry at large.鈥�

JSE-listed ICT firm says AI-driven security, zero trust models and human-centric security will be top of mind for business leaders, cyber security C-suite decision-makers, CISOs and cyber security services providers.

In addition to adopting advanced, AI-enabled threat detection systems, the company advocates a “trust no one, verify everything” architecture to protect sensitive data in hybrid work environments.

The company agrees with the notion that human error is a major cause of cyber security attacks and incidents. It underlines the need for ongoing employee training and fostering a culture of vigilance to reduce risks.

According to BCX, it understands the unique challenges African businesses face, from limited budgets to regulatory compliance and the persistent cyber security skills gap.

AI-driven operations

Taute believes AI can transform operations by enhancing decision-making through predictive insights, optimising resource allocation and uncovering growth opportunities. Partners offering AI-driven solutions will be key to meeting customer demand for automation and machine learning capabilities, Taute adds.

鈥淏y integrating AI into enablement platforms and operational workflows, partners can better anticipate customer needs, optimise resource allocation and uncover growth opportunities. Beyond operational benefits, AI also presents a significant sales opportunity for partners. As customers increasingly look for solutions incorporating AI-driven automation, predictive analytics and machine learning capabilities, tech partners can position themselves as key providers of these innovative technologies.鈥�

The Westcon-Comstor Southern African executive adds that specialisation is becoming a key differentiator in the channel, with customers demanding tailored solutions that address industry-specific challenges.

鈥淧artners with deep expertise in verticals such as healthcare, finance or manufacturing will stand out by delivering bespoke technology stacks and compliance-ready solutions. Distributors that support this trend by enabling multi-vendor solutions and providing specialised training will empower their partners to capture new market opportunities and thrive in niche segments. People enablement will be a serious determiner for success in 2025,鈥� says Taute.

, GM and VP of , warns that AI moves quickly and can leave behind companies that cannot or will not adapt.

奥辞辞濒濒别测听听held recently and said according to the Dell 2024 Innovation Catalyst study, 31% of South African respondents admit they鈥檙e struggling to keep up with the pace of disruption.听鈥淭he whole industry is evolving at pace, and that creates a lot of tension within businesses. Most people understand it will have an impact.鈥�

Balancing costs

鈥檚 highlights the challenge for companies to balance IT costs with modernisation, especially with rising expenses and AI advancements.

鈥淐loud repatriation, driven by cost concerns and regulatory compliance, is gaining momentum, with businesses opting for a mix of private and public cloud solutions. As businesses face increasing complexity, the cloud FinOps market is growing, with skills and resources in demand. AI adoption will require clear use cases and evidence of long-term business benefits, with prebuilt systems enabling faster implementation.

鈥淲ith South African businesses under significant pressure to manage and reduce IT costs, company leaders are finding themselves in a tough spot. They need to balance these rising cost pressures with the urgent need to modernise, all while keeping a lid on operational complexity. These pressures will reach a tipping point in 2025, thanks to some unexpected cost spikes and advancements in generative AI. Because of this, many businesses are taking a hard look at their long-term IT strategies, trying to figure out how to handle the rising costs of their virtualised workloads, support both current and future needs, and streamline IT operations in an increasingly complex environment.鈥�

Cloud repatriation is taking centre stage in 2025 as businesses reassess their public cloud strategies.

According to Ntuli, escalating costs and the need for better budget management are driving this trend. Many organisations are now opting for a strategic mix of private and public cloud solutions to balance expenses and manage resources effectively.

鈥淎s a result, FinOps is becoming essential. Projected to hit almost $40 billion by 2034, the burgeoning cloud FinOps market underscores the need for skills and resources in this area,鈥� he says.

In his overview of issues that will continue to impact the channel, , VP, data and analytics 鈥� Middle East, Turkey and Africa and MD South Africa at IDC, lists several significant external influences, including inflation, economy and global trends.

Walker says these trends include consumer discretionary spend, COVID amortisation at enterprises, the impact of AI, import tariffs/duties and the level of technical support that will trigger more activity in the channel and will escalate the level of competition.

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The recently held 麻豆原创 Now Africa 2024 event provided great insights into the future of HR and payroll, with discussions focusing on the importance of AI, cloud technologies, and automation in improving operational efficiency and compliance.

麻豆原创 Now Africa 2024 is 麻豆原创鈥檚 premier event on the African continent, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries to discuss how technological innovations can create growth and resilience in a fast-changing business environment.

This annual event focuses on assisting enterprises in leveraging 麻豆原创鈥檚 latest technologies to revolutionise company operations, increase efficiencies, and adapt to the challenges of the digital economy. This year, the event showcased how AI-driven solutions, can be used to boost productivity and streamline activities across several business areas.

In South Africa, HR and payroll management is increasingly moving toward cloud-based, integrated solutions that comply with SARS, UIF, and other regulatory requirements.

Many organisations are implementing digital solutions to manage distant workforces, comply with complex labour requirements, and streamline operations such as medical aid and retirement fund contributions.

BCX Digital Solutions Senior Specialist, , and BCX HR Operations Executive, ,听addressed these themes, delivering critical findings that demonstrate dedication to providing comprehensive, forward-thinking HR solutions that meet the needs of modern businesses.

听The first step in payroll transformation

Many organisations find the transition to modern payroll systems difficult. It is important to note that while there is no single 鈥渞ight鈥� method to transition to a modern payroll system, taking that first step remains difficult for many organisations.

Due to the complexity of assessing the full scope of change, managing employee resistance, and ensuring data accuracy during migration. The process requires a thorough evaluation of existing HR systems and future needs, while also addressing integration with legacy systems to maintain operational efficiency.

Additionally, businesses must invest in comprehensive training and ongoing support for employees, while carefully managing the financial implications of implementation, training, and maintenance to ensure a smooth transition and long-term value.

Leveraging advanced HR payroll solutions can help simplify the process and overcome key challenges. These solutions ensure seamless integration with existing systems, accurate data migration, and improved operational efficiency. By streamlining payroll operations and maintaining data integrity, businesses can meet evolving HR needs and achieve a smooth transition to a new system.

听Trends in HR and payroll technology: The transformative role of AI

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is establishing a foothold in the HR industry in a notable way, positioning HR practitioners to improve talent management and optimisation.

麻豆原创 has made significant efforts in AI and time management, offering solutions like , an AI copilot that simplifies interactions with 麻豆原创 systems. Joule, which is expected to integrate with Microsoft Copilot by the end of the year 2024, will handle payroll transactions, timesheets, recruitment screening, and other HR operations, signalling a significant shift in HR practices.

This AI integration will improve operational efficiency, minimise manual processes, and provide real-time help to HR departments. These improvements mark a watershed point in HR technology, as AI-powered solutions enable a more nuanced approach to staff management and development.

Jeanette highlighted that 鈥淭he biggest investments in HR today are in talent and skills management.鈥� This shift reflects the growing demand for HR systems that can effectively manage talent development, optimize employee performance, and support the future of work.

, an integral part of the BCX 麻豆原创 Now package, empowers HR professionals to manage talent strategically, using data to make informed workforce decisions.

This cloud-based human capital management software assists businesses manage their workforce, by offering tools for talent management, payroll, HR analytics, workforce planning, and employee experience management. This empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions and foster a more engaged, performance-driven workforce.

Overcoming challenges and ensuring compliance in payroll system integration

Advancing obsolete payroll systems is one of the key issues that enterprises face. Within the 麻豆原创 system, enterprises can opt to keep payroll in S/4HANA (pronounced 鈥楽4Hana鈥�), which may complicate SuccessFactors integration, or migrate to 麻豆原创 SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll. The latter solution streamlines processes by moving most activities to a single cloud, decreasing manual involvement, and improving integration with HR services.

鈥淲hile some organisations remain hesitant to move payroll systems to the cloud, the truth is that cloud environments are often more secure and offer more consistent maintenance than on-premises solutions,鈥� de la Rey expressed. Modern payroll systems rely heavily on cloud technology, which provides scalability, security, and flexibility.

For most organisations, balancing compliance and operational efficiency is critical. 麻豆原创 payroll solutions prioritise compliance with tax and labour rules, which are automatically updated to meet changing demands. In addition to maintaining compliance, it is imperative to transition to a system that automates payroll operations, increasing accuracy and operational efficiency. Organisations can reduce manual errors while maintaining high levels of data integrity by using features such as automated tax computations, error detection, and payroll processing control.

In the context of cost optimisation, implementing advanced payroll systems may appear expensive at first, but the advantages far surpass the expense. Modern payroll solutions such as those offered by BCX combine several services into a single platform, minimising manual tasks and improving accessibility. This method not only improves operational efficiency, but it also turns payroll technology into a strategic investment, resulting in long-term value and compliance.

听Improving payroll with employee self-service portals and systems integration

The launch of Digital HR at BCX has received favourable employee feedback, demonstrating the importance of self-service portals in improving user experience. These portals provide a user-friendly, accessible interface via which employees may efficiently handle their payroll and HR information. By simplifying these processes, employees are empowered to take control of their data, leading to higher satisfaction and increased engagement with HR services.

When an organisation鈥檚 platforms are unified, payroll can be integrated with systems such as talent management and time tracking more successfully. 叠颁齿鈥檚 Digital HR platform embodies this approach, offering seamless access and a streamlined user experience. By unifying systems on a single platform, organizations can expedite processes and improve the overall functionality of their HR operations.

听Using technology to address HR and payroll pain points
HR and payroll departments face several common challenges, such as managing overtime, integrating timesheets, and aligning performance with compensation.

These issues can lead to inefficiencies, errors, and dissatisfaction if not properly addressed. For example, managing overtime while ensuring compliance with labour laws requires a delicate balance of automation and policy enforcement.

Similarly, tracking employee hours across multiple locations and time zones introduces complexities in timesheet management. 麻豆原创 SuccessFactors helps mitigate these challenges by providing tools that optimise compensation balance, enhance performance integration, and streamline payroll processes. 叠颁齿鈥檚 approach ensures that these systems are tailored to meet the specific needs of each organisation, making HR operations more efficient and effective.

The impact of remote and hybrid work on payroll

The transition to remote and hybrid work arrangements has had a substantial influence on HR and payroll operations. Digital HR was created to enable mobile access, allowing employees to conduct HR responsibilities without physically being in the office. This flexibility has improved the employee experience by allowing remote onboarding and virtual inductions鈥攁n innovation driven by the needs of a modern, hybrid workforce.

The future of mobile payroll and self-service tools
Building on the shift to remote and hybrid work environments, payroll鈥檚 future lies in mobile-friendly solutions and improved self-service features. As BCX adds AI into these platforms, employees will have easier access to resources such as chatbots, demos, and FAQs. This user-centred strategy will simplify payroll interactions while reducing the requirement for consultant help.

It is a known fact that today鈥檚 workforce values salary transparency more than ever before. 麻豆原创鈥檚 pay model addresses this need by recording wage modifications, incentives, and performance reviews over an employee鈥檚 employment, which will then play a crucial role in tomorrow鈥檚 mobile payroll efficiency.

Furthermore, data analytics will play a central role in decision-making for HR departments. By using predictive analytics and tools, businesses can gain insights into employee performance, leave liabilities, and compensation trends, ultimately enabling better decision-making and strategic planning.

There is still a considerable desire for innovation in HR and payroll, with line managers under particular pressure to manage transactions. Automated functions are emerging as a solution for reducing manual labour, particularly in areas such as timesheet administration.

叠颁齿鈥檚 customer-centric solutions are geared to address these changing needs, with technologies that optimise HR and payroll procedures through automation and advanced analytics.

This article first appeared via HR, Payroll are evolving: We look at 麻豆原创 Now Africa insights

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AECI was founded in 1924 and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1966. Today it has operations across Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, North America, South America, and Australia, serving听several vertical markets including chemicals, agri-health, water, and mining.

Speaking on the sidelines of the African 麻豆原创 User Group (AFSUG) Saphila 2023 conference, Toni Serra, CIO of AECI, and Henlie van Rooyen, senior manager of 麻豆原创/4HANA implementation partner听BCX’s 麻豆原创 Centre of Excellence, explained how AECI initiated an enterprise-wide project to centralise and streamline operations across its multiple businesses.

AECI used to be a conglomerate of multiple businesses that operated with a high degree of independence, and each had their own IT and HR departments.

This model worked up to a point, but it was soon apparent that the model had to change said Serra, if the company was to transform its HCM as well as consolidate and simplify its IT strategy.

In 2015, management decided to begin with the implementation of a global enterprise-strength human capital management solution.

The company sought to partner with a service provider that could align with AECI and supply the right technology.

In 2018 AECI decided on the 麻豆原创 SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll (ECP) solution, before moving to the BCX Partner Managed Cloud in 2020.

The project was extensive and complex because AECI was running several disparate systems between various businesses and silos,听 according to Serra.

Van Rooyen said that 麻豆原创 ECP implementations are in project mode in South Africa, which added to the challenges.

鈥淚ncluding AECI, there are only four South African ECP implementations live. Due to the confidential and complex nature of any payroll for a larger company, ensuring the transition from on-premise to the听cloud听happens seamlessly, delivery听partners听must ensure that parallel runs achieve the same numerical results for all employees prior to activating the cloud payroll as the main solution. ECP is built on the robust 麻豆原创 Payroll code engine and supplemented with cloud qualities such as quick configuration, intuitive UI, simplification due to configuration-based on best practice. The resilience is the same as the 麻豆原创 on-premise solution.鈥�

For the next few years AECI spent time tailoring the solution, securing buy-in from across the business, and investing in the on-board process.

Van Rooyen said the original plan was to do a 鈥榣ift and shift鈥� of the on-premise payroll for AECI, and move that into the cloud. But the plan had to be revised to a clean install to ensure that technology is future-proofed for AECI.

鈥淒uring the initial discovery phase of the project 鈥� and due to the similarity of the payroll engine between on-premise and the cloud solution, one consideration was to 鈥榣ift and shift鈥� the on-premise payroll into the cloud, which is possible with ECP. After detailed investigation and consideration, the decision was taken to do a 鈥榗lean install鈥� in ECP which allowed AECI not only the latest functionality, but a future-proof solution for years to come. Any system used over a long period of time requires a refresh of the system use and config from time to time to ensure optimal utilisation and this was the main reason for considering a clean install over a lift and shift.鈥�

Today AECI has been fully on-boarded.

“It鈥檚 been massively successful in that the repository of data available to us to start making decisions now, is enormous,” Serra added.

鈥淲e must now drive real value out of what we鈥檝e got. For example, we can optimise the wage bill, link the solution now to our MRP [material requirements planning] way, to our resourcing in the factory, link it to time and attendance, and to areas where we drive proper rands and cents value鈥hen it becomes the way you go to work.”

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That was the case for one of Africa鈥檚 leading systems integrators, sparking a first-of-its-kind implementation project that has achieved outstanding results.

“As a business we needed a radical simplification of our lead-to-cash value stream through a centralised solution for configuring, pricing and quoting, and chose 麻豆原创 CPQ,” says Julian Liebenberg, Chief of Cloud Platform Solutions at BCX.

BCX is one of Africa’s leading premier ICT solutions and service providers with the technology, capability and skills to deliver end-to-end digital solutions for large and medium enterprises. BCX is a digital transformation partner for enterprises and public sector organisations across various industries and sectors within South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, the UK and Zambia.

The company is headquartered in Centurion and employs more than 2 000 engineers working from multiple locations.

Missed opportunities and inaccuracy

According to Liebenberg, the new flexible quoting tool had to address several challenges.

“Our use of multiple quoting tools across the business led to inconsistent quoting, and sometimes inaccurate billing. A lack of integration and automation also resulted in 听missed opportunities and lost customers to due to delays. We implemented 麻豆原创 CPQ to enable our sales and pre-sales teams to configure and quote complex ICT solutions, with an integration to our CRM system allowing for greater automation in the quote process. We also integrated to our 麻豆原创 back-end for order processing.”

麻豆原创 CPQ is a cloud-based software-as-a-service offering specifically targeted to help sales teams perform complex product configurations and create and manage sales quotations.

The implementation was managed by the BCX 麻豆原创 Centre of Excellence, with expert guidance from 麻豆原创 Services. “The 麻豆原创 Services team assisted with knowledge transfer and skills, enabling our Centre of Excellence to build expertise with the CPQ solution and enabling us to provide the services to other companies in the Southern Africa region,” says Liebenberg .

Unlocking sales success and standardisation

Following the implementation, BCX is enjoying streamlined configuration, quoting and pricing, contributing to increased sales effectiveness and freeing up the sales team from manual processes. In addition, the new solution has improved the quote and order processing turnaround time with automated approvals, leading to increased revenue and a better customer experience.

“We have increased our win-rate across the various business units within BCX and more than halved the time it took us to go from qualified opportunity to solution design, from 52 days to less than 25 days,” says Liebenberg. 听“This has helped us improve our customer experience and defend our existing customer base while also unlocking new opportunities for digital marketing and customer engagement.”

In addition, other benefits that have been unlocked since the implementation include:

• New opportunities for digital marketing and customer engagement
• Enhanced capabilities to crowdsource services for customers
• Increased operational efficiency in sales through automation and the shortening of sales cycles
• The use of AI to guide sales teams in combining products for improved customer solutions
• Improved configuring, pricing and quoting workflows and the streamlining of the remaining manual processes
• The elimination of quotation errors
• Consistent quoting from up-to-date catalogues and pricing information
• Increased productivity and a lower learning curve for sales teams and technical architects.

“We now have established selling, eligibility and compatibility rules that have enabled a unified quoting process for cross-product portfolio solutions and have achieved sales process harmonisation through gaining a 360-degree view over quotes and commercial subscriptions,” says Liebenberg.听 “Overall the project was a resounding success with the added benefit that we can offer the solution to our own customers too.”

Cameron Beveridge, Regional Director for Southern Africa at 麻豆原创, adds: 鈥淢odern organisations need to be engaged in a process of continuous innovation to drive improvements and efficiency gains across the business. As one of the foremost technology services companies on the African continent, BCX plays a leading role in guiding enterprises in their digital transformation efforts. The success of this latest project bodes well for the region鈥檚 prospects, as BCX can transfer their knowledge and expertise to the benefit of other innovative companies.鈥�

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After COVID-19 struck, BCX realised it needed a new go-to-market strategy. It spent time working on its purpose and mission, drilling down and addressing how it delivers value to its customers.

Here, in an exclusive interview, BCX executives Ilsa Keulder and colleague Adriaan van der Bank describe how they took a step back as a business and how their fresh approach to ideation led to them developing a solution that tackles the problem of load-shedding (a timed, daily, power-cut that affects countless midmarket businesses across South Africa) head-on.

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BCX is an Enterprise cloud end-to-end digital partner for corporate and governments across the African continent and also a 麻豆原创 Gold Partner, 麻豆原创 Approved hosting partner, 麻豆原创 Value Added Reseller, 麻豆原创 Approved Hosting Partner, 麻豆原创 HANA Services Operations Partner, 麻豆原创 Partner Centre of Expertise (PCoE0 and Premium supplier for 麻豆原创 HANA Enterprise Cloud. BCX is busy with a 麻豆原创 S/4 HANA implementation with EY as the implementation partner.

Ravi explained that the business case was presented because BCX, through its acquisition of various BCX subsidiaries, ended up with multiple disparate ERP platforms across the BCX Group.听听 Through a oneERP alignment strategy, they formulated a business-led program to standardize, optimize, simplify and transfer their business, providing a foundation that enables 叠颁齿鈥檚 growth strategy and identifies initiatives in a sustainable and forward-looking manner. The ultimate goal for the oneERP program is to enable business transformation through seamless, streamlined processes while also allowing for scalability.

Shamit took us through the BCX journey and implementation, with the oneERP solution journey officially kicking off in April 2020. The project is currently in preparation phase and this should be ready for implementation at end of June 2020.

A myriad of workshops were conducted across the business and stakeholder platforms to understand the requirements and the scope of oneERP, with key considerations such as solution scope, data, IT Strategy and business strategy being examined.

Lessons learnt were also shared by the team and included:

• Early strategic alignment
• Constant stakeholder alignment
• Early design principles definition
• Committed and engaged leadership
• Business and IT led
• Detailed business case

BCX and EY are looking forward to the mutual benefits of rolling out an informed strategy and agree that 麻豆原创 S/4HANA is the approach to take for this business case.

鈥� 鈥淎t this time of the COVID-19 pandemic when many organisations are turning the coin over twice, it is truly remarkable to see South African organisations wade through the rapids and white water of large scale Project Change Management, in deploying 麻豆原创 S/4HANA technology, immersing themselves uncompromisingly, life-guarded in this instance, by the implementation partner and in so doing, reshape the roadmap on the path to success, and create a technology state of readiness when the business cycle picks up.听 Heartful thanks BCX and EY for sharing the experience to date, and most of all, for sharing the knowledge. Truly appreciated.鈥� – 听Koosh Panday, Chairman of the S/4HANA Special Interest Group.

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麻豆原创 announced as top place winner in the category of 麻豆原创 EMEA South Award for Partner Excellence for service excellence at a ceremony on January 14. The award is measured by year-on-year increase in certified personnel.

鈥淭his award is about service excellence and is a great way to kick-start 2020 across our markets. It talks to our values of collaboration, innovation, service and agility,鈥� says BCX CEO Jonas Bogoshi.

鈥淏CX has repositioned itself with a customer-centric strategy, focusing on customer- service challenges and putting the customer at the heart of the organisation, so to be recognised by a partner for this is proof that we are walking the talk.鈥�

As the information and communication technology (ICT) market disrupters, BCX collaborates to anticipate all stakeholder needs with fast, innovative solutions and high-quality services. Its goal is to maximise client鈥檚 productivity, increase profits and future-proof their business.

The awards recognise top partners for their excellence in overall sales, innovation, technology and services, as well as in solution-specific areas.

Rich Phillips, vice-president of channel at 麻豆原创 says, 鈥淏CX securing the 麻豆原创 EMEA South Partner Excellence Award for service excellence is a testament to the investments and focus of BCX as it develops its 麻豆原创 practice. This investment enables BCX to offer compelling 麻豆原创 solutions to the SA market allowing its clients to leverage world-leading technology to enable their business to run better.鈥�

Winners of the regional awards for partner excellence were selected from 麻豆原创鈥檚 wide-ranging partner base, and nominations were based on 麻豆原创鈥檚 internal sales data. A steering committee comprising regional and global 麻豆原创 representatives determined the winning partners in each category per region according to numerous criteria, such as sales achievement and performance.

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