Spark ATM Systems

Mar 8, 2021

This report focuses on the IT industry, including hardware manufacturing, assembly, and supply; software development and supply; and retail sales of hardware and software. The report includes comprehensive information on the state and size of the sector, corporate action in South Africa and on the continent, private sector and government initiatives relating to online and technology-driven learning and e-commerce during lockdown and research and development. There are profiles of 108 companies including local divisions of international players such as Intel, IBM and Cisco, major homegrown companies such as Dimension Data, Datatec and EOH and specialised companies such as Spark ATM Systems and Lumbro Time Systems. The IT Industry: Technology and internet connectivity have helped to maintain business continuity, keep children in education and ensure online access to essential goods and services during the coronavirus pandemic. However, the pandemic has also exposed significant areas of digital inequality and exclusion in areas without internet access. It is estimated that that there are more than 20,000 companies in the ICT sector that contributes approximately 8% to South Africa's GDP. South Africa's IT sector is generally robust, has access to the latest technologies and methodologies and underpins the operations of most other sectors of the economy. There is, however, a significant shortage of specialised skills in the sector. Coronavirus: Lockdown restrictions resulted in increased adoption of digitalisation of business processes, remote working, e-learning, e-commerce, e-banking, e-payment services, e-insurance, tele-medicine and virtual events resulting in a higher demand for IT technologies and services to support these activities. Many sectors may permanently embrace working from home, which may lead to additional revenue for the IT sector. Commentators indicate that lockdowns catapulted e-commerce forward by at least five years. However, cybersecurity risks have increased as home users may not have effective security systems. Key Topics Covered: