PUBLICATION: ENGINEERING NEWS DATE: 23 FEBRUARY 2011

Local ICT powerhouse ready to compete for empowerment award The Integr8 Group will form part of an exclusive group of South African companies that have been shortlisted to participate in the first round of adjudication by organisers of the Metropolitan Oliver Empowerment Awards. The Metropolitan Oliver Empowerment Awards, organised in association with Impumelelo, and brought out by Topco Media and Metropolitan, is an annual competition organised to recognize leadership and innovation in empowerment. This competition is now in its tenth year of operation. Integr8 was established in 2001 and in this decade of operation has attained numerous awards in its capacity as Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, as well as recognition in previous years for its

achievement in ICT, for the quality of its business management and contribution to the countrys ICT and telecommunication capability. Among its industry-focused accolades is recognition from Topco Media, Africa Achiever Awards and Microsoft Partner Awards. Integr8 will compete in the ICT category and will be evaluated alongside other businesses and organisations such as Absa, First Rand Limited, Johannesburg Roads Agency, Mercedes-Benz, Pinnacle Health Solution and Total SA, amongst others. General criteria that has to be met includes the implementation of strategic B-BBEE policies; of effective internal B-BBEE measurement mechanisms; the demonstration of effective transformation policies; as well as status regarding the seven pillars of empowerment as per the B-BBEE scorecard. Additionally Integr8 will also be expected to meet specific criteria within the category in which it is competing. This includes aspects such as profitability, productivity, turnover and growth. We are excited about our nomination onto this prestigious shortlist of empowered companies. Managed ICT services is an increasingly important area of the market and a major consideration for any credible, modern business. It is fitting that ICT should be included as a category within an award based chiefly on level of transformation and empowerment. That goes to the heart of what systems and applications, networks, hardware and software is all about, explains Robert Sussman, joint CEO, Integr8. The Award ceremony is scheduled to take place on 24 March at the Sandton Convention Centre.