Southtechreviews

Canon Europe announces the PIXMA TS3440, the latest in Canon’s PIXMA TS range of entry-level inkjet printers. Capable of managing everyday printing needs, this three-in-one, multifunction printer offers easy-to-use features, including four-colour FINE cartridges for straightforward replacement and simple set up with one-touch wireless connectivity to maximise productivity.   For many, working and learning from home has become a familiar way of life. Students and those using their home as a workspace will welcome this printers ease of use and quick set up. The improved Web Setup Guide offers easy to understand videos and imagery, for step-by-step instructions to get started; while the one-touch Wireless Connect button instantly links the printer with a smart device, PC or laptop when connected to Wi-Fi.   After install, everyday use continues to be straightforward with crystal clear navigation via the 1.5” mono segment LCD screen. Users can access core printer functions and mai...

Collaborative partnerships remain key to addressing the increasing need for quality software development skills in the country. Fortunately, Samsung South Africa, through its partnership with Wits University’s   Tshimologong   Digital Innovation Precinct created the App Factory, an internship programme aimed at assisting interns to work on real-world projects under the guidance of a senior developer over the course of nine months. This intern-centered approach enables them to grow their competence and hone their skills. These skills are required by industry even when entering the job market as software developers. The practical learning serves as a foundation to allow the graduates to grow and be part of shaping the 4 th Industrial Revolution.   This partnership is aligned with Samsung’s R280-million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), which includes the mission to build software development skills for unemployed youth. Tshimologong Precinct’s tech incubation n...

2020 has changed everything. Company goals and objectives were upended by COVID-19, and the tech industry has been forever shifted. All sectors have faced enormous challenges over the past year. It’s important to take some time to reflect on the impact that local and global events have had on our  business   our industry and our customers.   While brick and mortar stores took a hit, the pandemic led to unparalleled growth of e-commerce businesses. South Africa saw an enormous surge in online activity during the national lockdown with B2C and B2B organisations scrambling to meet the immediate needs of their customers. The implications will last well into the decade.  Nine key observations in our business in 2020 were:- WFH needs technology Tens of thousands of people now work from home (WFH) and rapid digital transformation has meant that cloud technologies, tech infrastructure, cyber and data security, and mobile devices are more in demand than ever as people need to...

  New Leadership in Appliances and Greater Focus on Quality and  Innovation Expected to Result in More Successes in 2021 LG Electronics (LG) announced a number of organizational commitments that are designed to faster transform the global consumer electronics and appliance brand into a company that will be able to better weather the coming year by turning challenges into opportunities. Initiatives such as promoting customer value innovation through LG’s digital transformation strategy, creating a cross-function Quality Management Center, establishing a North America Innovation Center, bolstering each company’s R&D function and giving the nascent Robot Business Division a new home in the Business Solutions Company are some of the changes in store for the new year and beyond.   A notable change will be the retirement of Dan Song, president and CEO of the Home Appliance & Air Solutions Company, who took on the role at the end of 2016 and leaves the company stronger t...

  Award-Winning African Filmmaker Tebogo Malope shares his view This year, consumer’s relationship with technology changed in a way that no-one could have expected. With many people in lockdown, learners are using TV’s as an invaluable classroom and others have created in-house gyms, from online classes viewed on large TV screens. Samsung embraced these evolving needs very early on and remains one-step ahead, already innovating with the future in mind. This relentless mission to create bold, revolutionary technology is effortlessly embodied in the 2020  QLED TV  range. A director has a unique insight into the QLED performance. Tebogo Malope has grown a reputation for being the voice for African narratives. The award-winning filmmaker, recognised for directing Africa’s first Netflix original series has received every award possible for his commercials and music videos in South Africa. Recently, he also shot a music video, using the 8K capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S20...

  How SME’s can seize an opportunity - despite Covid-19 SME’s across South Africa are counting the costs of the pandemic and its devastating impact on business. The fact is, according to a McKinsey study:   ‘How South African SMEs can survive and thrive post COVID-19'   SMEs represent more than 98% of businesses, employ between 50-  60% of the country’s workforce across all sectors, and are responsible for a quarter of job growth in the private sector. In addition, the same study says that ‘b usiness confidence has fallen too’. In a flash survey, conducted in April 2020, just over a third of businesses surveyed expressed that they are pessimistic about the economy and economic outlook and more than 30 percent indicated that they expected revenues to fall by between 5 and 50 percent over the next six to 12 months leading to negative profits in excess of –5 percent.  The consequences of Covid-19 on the economy are undeniably severe. Business owners ...

Awards also recognise Samsung as the brand with the largest growth over the last decade 20 November 2020 – After over a decade of success in the Sunday Times Top Brands Awards Samsung has continued cement its position in the hearts and minds of South Africans. Samsung was named as South Africa’s favourite Electronic Goods brand. This year Samsung was also recognised amongst the most popular cell phone and large kitchen appliance brands. Importantly, Samsung was certified as the brand with the most growth over the last decade.   The awards reflect the country’s affinity for Samsung’s diverse product range, from cutting-edge smartphones across price ranges to home appliances that empower people to do more. The Sunday Times Top Brands rankings have been awarding South Africa’s most recognised brands for the over two decades. However, due to the COVID -19 lockdown in 2020, Sunday Times research partners Kantar were not able to go out in the field to conduct the usual research.  Ka...