Author: Editor
By Marieta du Toit, Director, Sensory Coach, Workshop Facilitator at Sensory Intelligence Consulting It’s that magical time of year again. Christmas trees, larger than life, have sprung up in shopping malls. The familiar red Santa suits are out of storage, and the airwaves are filled with songs about Rudolph and his famous red nose. And let’s not forget the little ones, desperately trying to be on their best behaviour in hopes of a special delivery from Santa and his helpers on Christmas Eve. Can you believe it? In just a few days, it’ll be Christmas! We often see the holidays…
Obsidian Systems, a supplier of open software solutions, has today shared insights into the evolving landscape of open source technologies and their impact on the IT sector in South Africa and globally in 2024. Muggie van Staden, Managing Director of Obsidian, believes that there are several key trends and strategic initiatives that reflect this changing dynamic. According to van Staden, the philosophy of open source is undergoing a significant transformation. “What is open source today? This question has become more complex,” says van Staden. “The best development model for software has evolved, and the poster child, Linux, has seen market…
By Howard Feldman Back in 1995, former World Bank vice-president Dr Ismail Serageldin said: “If the wars of this century were fought over oil, the wars of the next century will be fought over water — unless we change our approach to managing this precious and vital resource.” With extreme weather conditions, likely as a result of climate change, his point (similar to one made by author Steven Solomon), seemed to be a reasonable assumption. And yet, 23 years into this century it appears that there are still wars being fought over resources other than water. I contend that the…
CRS Technologies, a leading provider of solutions and services to the growing human capital management industry, has announced the implementation of comprehensive contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted HR and payroll services in the event of a national power grid failure in South Africa. While industry analysts consider the likelihood of a complete grid collapse minimal, CRS Technologies is dedicated to being prepared for all eventualities. “In business, the unexpected can quickly become a reality, having significant repercussions for operations. As an organisation, we believe it is essential to not only identify potential challenges that can disrupt but also be able…
By Marieta du Toit, Director, Sensory Coach, Workshop Facilitator at Sensory Intelligence Consulting In the whirlwind of modern life, with work deadlines, relentless digital communication, and now year-end functions, many experience what I call the ‘end-of-the-year syndrome’. This state of mind, often manifested as sensory overload, leads to feelings of being overwhelmed, disconnected, and intolerant of social interactions. It’s a common experience across different sensory thresholds, affecting those who struggle with too much sensory input and those who seek extra stimulation alike. At Sensory Intelligence, we use the analogy of a tree to explain sensory thresholds and how they impact…
A leader in the industry has spent 35 years across 75 countries visualising and creating what other companies can’t see themselves – ways to improve their operations. The company creates solutions that help organisations plan, track and manage these global improvements on one platform. The product requires a large infrastructure to operate and with this size comes challenges. The Challenge Being experts in manufacturing and supply chain management meant that the company needed a reliable partner to help them manage complex cloud environments according to best practices. The company wanted to further enhance cost optimizations and cloud operational initiatives, especially…
Obsidian Systems, a supplier of open source software solutions, says that having consultants being Atlassian certified is critical to its culture of excellence and reputation as being a client-centric organisation. Atlassian certifications are known for their rigorous standards. These validate consultants’ abilities in using Atlassian software like Jira and Confluence, amongst others. Furthermore, these certifications highlight the consultant’s skill level while also helping to instill trust and confidence in clients that they know they are entrusting their projects to capable hands. “The journey to Atlassian certification is a difficult one which requires a deep-seated understanding of the software. Obsidian has…
As companies continue to digitally transform within data-driven economies, human resource management and work-life balance have been thrust into the spotlight. This is linked to Covid-19’s lockdown disruption to business say work-life management specialists at Sensory Intelligence Consulting, who add that businesses now have to rethink their approach to work-life integration and employee wellbeing. A recent survey conducted by Randstad highlights the significance of this shift, with a substantial 61% of workers, particularly those in the 18 to 34-year-old demographic, expressing their reluctance to entertain job offers that threaten the equilibrium between their professional and personal lives. Equally striking is…
The South African construction industry is increasingly finding itself under siege. Armed gangs, known as construction mafias, are routinely invading construction sites across the country, intimidating workers, and demanding employment or a share in project profits under threats of violence. Databuild CEO, Morag Evans, has reiterated the need for contractors to take a firm stand against these ‘business forums’, warning that unless addressed, this scourge is likely to worsen. The problem was first noted in KwaZulu-Natal and has since spread to Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, and other provinces. Roots in legislation The issue can be traced back to the…
In an era defined by the transformative power of data, Remote Metering Solutions (RMS) stands as a pioneering technology company, dedicated to unlocking the full potential of information in the realms of utility management, sustainability, and building systems. Guided by an innovative and forward-thinking C-suite, RMS continues to redefine the landscape, seamlessly integrating client-centric solutions with cutting-edge technology to empower businesses with actionable intelligence that fuels growth and sustainability. “Our new C-suite has injected RMS with a renewed energy, amplifying our client-centric approach. Pivoting towards a tech-centric utility management model is not just a strategic choice; it’s an imperative in…