Budget speech: hope for IT

With the annual Budget speech just round the corner, predictions are rife and economists wait with bated breath to analyse and discuss the implications it will likely have for the South African economy and of course, for businesses across industries in 2012.

For the SA entrepreneur – essentially the country’s economic power force – verbalising hopes and expectations publically for Budget, for Government consideration, becomes more and more critical each year. And so it is with this premise in mind that entrepreneurial business Dariel Solutions shares its hopes for Budget 2012, especially in light on the commitment reiterated in SONA.

‚We are hoping for further investment in infrastructure, and of course education and skills development ‚ particularly around science, mathematics and technology training,‚ said Malcolm Rabson, MD of Dariel Solutions. ‚Last year we were pleased at the investment pledge of R800 billion over the next three years in infrastructure and the R10 billion for job creation, small enterprise development and youth employment. We look forward to the Minister’s overview of success to date, and are hoping for more budget this year to continue this momentum.‚

Dariel Solutions are dedicated to growing the right skills and developing the IT knowledge base to propel South Africa in becoming a software powerhouse – which is why infrastructure and skills development investment from a government perspective nationally is so key.

Similarity, as outlined in SONA, there are many critical factors that play a role in meeting Government growth objectives. One such factor is IT investment which is key in mining, transport, community services and trade to name just a few sectors. For Dariel, a prime example of how IT facilitates growth and development can be seen in the Healthcare sector. Customised IT solutions are changing the ways health practitioners operate and the manner in which they interact with their patients. Imagine hospital staff being able to digitally store patient information (which moves with the patient if necessary), offer results such as X-Rays to patients in digitalised format, as well as being able to track the number of beds available in the hospital at any given time ‚ instantly! This would assist with information retention, decrease the need for duplication, decrease admin time and of course, result in benefits and differences where it counts ‚ patients experience.

‚Without fundamental IT infrastructure investment, talking job creation to fight poverty for example ‚ amidst many other social, health and global economic challenges ‚ is futile. Our hope is that Government places large scale budget commitments to an industry that has typically been shrouded by buzz words, empty promises and ROI limitations. Today IT has earned its place and is considered (and proven) a key business driver and enabler to develop businesses of all sizes ‚ operationally. The President again reiterates the importance of public/private partnerships, and surely this includes the estimated 1.5 million small businesses in the country? Certainly we support this premise and look forward to contributing to SA’s growth as an IT powerhouse across Africa and abroad,‚ concludes Rabson.

*