Darest sees opportunity in SA THE LEGENDARY Swiss efficiency and reliability isn`t limited to banks and timepieces, apparently. Switzerland is also home to an outsource IT service provider that prides itself on its professionalism and effectiveness, boasting large corporate clients like Lefarge, Caterpillar, Coca Cola, and Total.

Darest Group, founded in 1978, provides IT services including hardware and software implementation and customisation, outsourcing, training, coaching, consulting and support to customers worldwide. The company has extended its reach through investment in strategic EMEA countries like Egypt, Turkey and India, with its newest office opening in South Africa late last year.

Speaking at last year`s World Economic Forum, Danny Ventura, executive director of Darest Group and chairman of Darest Europe, said he believed that Darest has a strong role to play in integrating IT services in the EMEA region in particular. "Over a period of 30 years, Darest has developed some unique qualities that allow us to manage people with different cultures. These include skills and capabilities starting with core management and in-depth knowledge of local rules and regulations that encompass areas touching on employment strategy, human resources and business processes," he explained.

FOLLOW THE CLIENTELE

The establishment of the South African office, in addition to being part of the company`s expansion into Africa, followed the needs of Darest`s existing clients. Because many of the company`s customers are global corporations that follow stringent procedures in choosing service providers, it made sense for them to use a company already at home with their processes and requirements.

Over the years, Darest has established partnerships with a number of companies, and has obtained high level certifications with the likes of Microsoft, CA and Citrix.

It also has on its side an aready familiar face in the form of Wayne Sorour - the company`s IT manager, who serviced the local offices of Darest`s international clients for years prior to the establishment of the South African office - the company has also succeeded in obtaining the business of a number of South African blue chip clients.

However, according to Olivier Constant, Darest South Africa`s MD, what the company really expects to compete on, is its strength in the customer service arena. "Good service is good support, and if you give customers the right information, you`re giving them the right level of service."

THE BLACKBERRY CONNECTION

Darest`s strategy is to act as a partner to its clients in designing, implementing and maintaining IT infrastructures. The local office can take that one step further by virtue of the company being the only certified BlackBerry alliance partner in South Africa.

BlackBerry provides the solution, Darest provides the service and the support, says Constant. "We will even host a shared BlackBerry enterprise server for smaller customers." The ability to fully manage the BlackBerry environment has also opened doors for the company in South Africa, with Darest`s clients in this area, including large financial institutions.

"Training is vital for us so we can offer the best possible support on all of the products we provide," says Sorour. "We are taking it a step further with our BlackBerry business, though, and are in the process of being certified locally to train BlackBerry administrators. We`re even hoping to eventually open a BlackBerry training centre in South Africa."

With a strong balance sheet, thanks to its principal in Switzerland, as well as its extensive base of partners, Darest says it sees a great deal of growth opportunity in South Africa, and is investing accordingly.