We partner with reputed global and local organisations for the supply of goods, services and technology in the pursuit of accomplishing our mission. These business partners collaborate with us as we share complementary business goals, and our interactions with them foster mutually beneficial relationships.
We build partnerships with industry leaders to leapfrog in delivering cutting edge solutions to our customers while also building internal capacity.
For example the Akaza product was developed in collaboration with Citrix Systems, a global leader in cloud services, mobile workspaces, virtualisation, mobility management and networking. It offers ICT infrastructure, data archiving and operations, development platforms, working desktops, software and communications as ‘services’, meaning that organisations no longer need to invest in infrastructure to provide these capabilities by themselves.
Likewise, the cloud-based Cyren web security solution provides advanced cyber security, the Ruckus/Alepo carrier-class Wi-Fi solution bolsters our ADSL data services with a nation-wide network of Wi-Fi hotspots and Synchronoss boosts customer service for the nationwide high-speed broadband network. We have over 40 such alliances and collaborations and more are in the pipeline.
Mobitel recently partnered with Microsoft to introduce Microsoft’s cloud based solutions for local businesses. Likewise, Mobitel is the sole official reseller in Sri Lanka for Samsung Knox, a comprehensive enterprise mobility management (EMM) security solution for customers such as financial institutions, law firms, Government agencies and businesses.
In addition to our own written procurement policies and processes, we have taken a closer look at our supply chain. Our new Code of Ethics for suppliers covers many aspects including anti-corruption, labour practices and the environment. This is important, as a responsible supplier who shares our values also mitigates risks against our reputation.
SLT established five new business partnerships with wholesale and OTT players in the international voice market, while also winning several global bandwidth tenders from global ISPs to provide connectivity from Asia to Europe. The SLTNet POP established in Singapore in June 2015 has been connected with SLT’s multiple cable systems such as SEA-ME-WE 3, SEA-ME-WE 4, Dhiraagu-SLT and Bharat-Lanka.
SLT upgraded an eProcurement System during the year, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. SLT’s eTender process is mainly for standardised items. The website provides suppliers with up-to-date information they need to provide quality goods at competitive prices, while the automated bidding and selection process ensures good governance oversight over the whole procurement process.
We continued with our regular dealer training programmes and product updates. As a new feature, we update them on new solutions as well. This has helped dealers to diversify. Those who had sold the traditional voice and data products are now equipped to sell solutions as well. This has also helped them internally in becoming more productivity and efficiency conscious, all of which contribute towards their bottom line.