ABSOLUTE DATA EXCELLENCE
VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS
CLIENT CASE STUDIES
First Distribution’s Database Administration, Security and Compliance needs lead it to trusted advisor, Ascent Technology. For any large organisation, Database Administration (DBA) is a vital part of maintaining their Data Platform Operations effectively. As it has...
When Bidfood SA chose to modernise and migrate its data platform to Microsoft Azure, it turned to Ascent Technology for help. In a world that is digitally transforming, it is more vital than ever to an organisation’s success to utilise the latest platforms to drive...
A Windows Server and SQL Server consolidation, optimisation and migration to Microsoft Azure enables the company to reduce costs, modernise its data platform and boost its innovation capabilities. As an operator running two distinct betting businesses, Phumelela...
CAMPAIGNS
A Database System Health Check assesses if your Database is running optimally, and can help diagnose challenges before performance issues, and/or down time affect your users. That’s where Ascent's Database Health Check Service comes in. Our Database Health Check...
The growing number of threats to databases and unauthorised access to the data within, is clearly creating on-going headaches for CIOs. Solving these headaches may not be easy, but by asking the right questions, CIOs can begin to overcome their Database Security and...
Economic volatility is driving a greater number of organisations to consider cost cutting measures and to implement consolidation procedures. This situation is further compounded by the growing skills shortage that makes it more difficult for businesses to acquire and...
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Ascent Technology continues its strong showing in the Microsoft Partner of the Year awards, as a finalist in the Data and Analytics Partner of the Year award. Finalist Data and Analytics Partner of the Year "It is always gratifying to be recognised by Microsoft as one...
NEWSFLASHES
SQL Server 2022 is the most Azure-enabled release yet, with continued performance, security, and availability innovation. SQL Server, enabled by Azure Arc, extends Azure services on-premises, and manages your SQL Server estate from the Azure portal for a more unified...
FROM THE DESK OF THE MD
The start of another year inevitably brings with it the promise of change, and in wishing all our clients a happy New Year, we would like to suggest that 2019 is going to be a year of considerable and exciting change. After all, not only do we have what are sure to be...
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2012. With the New Year already well under way, we trust you are excited about the possibilities that the rest of the year holds. Ascent Technology is certainly looking ahead to an interesting next few months, as we continue to develop our relationships with you all, building on what was a strong 2011 with an even more successful 2012.
Looking ahead, Co/Outsourcing remains a hot button trend in Database Administration and it is one that we expect to see continue for the foreseeable future. Clients have clearly recognized the benefits of this, as we are still noticing strong uptake in this model. There is little doubt then that Co/Outsourcing is working, and working well. With this in mind, we will continue to deliver more of the same in this regard – skills, expertise and the best SLA’s – as we focus on using what is a proven formula to add even more value to both our existing and prospective clients over the course of the year.
Ascent is also looking forward to building on its existing key vendor relationships, such as the one we have with Microsoft. This relationship grew from strength to strength last year, highlighted by Ascent being presented with the 2011 Data Platform Partner of the Year Award at the Microsoft Partner Network Awards. This is a culmination of the ongoing efforts by both Microsoft and ourselves to continually grow and strengthen our association, and we believe that in 2012 we will raise the bar even further in this ongoing relationship.
You can also expect us to continue to focus on ensuring we find the right products that will offer you strategic value in the Enterprise Data Management space. Testament to this ongoing strategy is the fact that in the past year, we have already brought on board Embarcadero in the Database Development, Administration and Optimization arena and both McAfee and IBM InfoSphere Guardium in the Database Security and Compliance space. As we move into 2012, you can expect us to explore additional avenues as we seek products that will offer further value to our client base.
We are well aware of our clients’ need for continuity in skills and expertise, which is why Ascent places a high value on the acquisition and retention of the right calibre of people into the organisation. We understand that there is an ongoing skills shortage, so one of our key focuses for this year will be to place additional emphasis on obtaining and retaining the best people.
The current skills shortage is even more acute elsewhere in Africa. As our business paradigm is based on services, this has opened up new opportunities for Ascent in the sub-Saharan region and led to us exploring new markets. However, while we are investigating a number of opportunities in the region, these will all be within the scope of our expertise. Wherever we operate in Africa, we will continue to focus on doing what we do best.
As this is Ascent’s ninth year in business, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our clients who have played a role in what has been close on a decade of ongoing achievement. Many of you have been with us for the majority of our existence and our continued success is all down to you. After all, you are the reason we are still in business.
We appreciate your ongoing support and we look forward to continuing to work with you for many years to come. At the same time, we are also going to be acquiring new clients in 2012, and we are excited to be able to build the same kind of strong, ongoing relationships with them as we already have with you.
Let 2012 be an exciting and successful year for us all.
By: Johan Lamberts
