{"id":39488,"date":"2013-06-06T13:24:10","date_gmt":"2013-06-06T11:24:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=39488"},"modified":"2013-06-07T09:17:53","modified_gmt":"2013-06-07T07:17:53","slug":"vodacom-hunts-30000-sme-clients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/mobile\/39488\/vodacom-hunts-30000-sme-clients\/","title":{"rendered":"Vodacom hunts 30,000 SME clients"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vodacom<\/a> is targeting 30,000 subscribers, or 6,000 new SME customers through its new Value Added Service (VAS)\u00a0offering,\u00a0One Net Express.<\/p>\n

The solution provides a customer with traditional switchboard functionality on cellphones, and 3G desk phones should the customer require a geographic telephone number, all hosted in the cloud.<\/p>\n

Gary Hart<\/a>, executive head of managed network services at Vodacom Business noted in a presentation at the company’s headquarters in Midrand on Thursday (6 June) that One Net Express, which provides big business switchboard benefits to small businesses, is already in use by over two million Vodafone<\/a> subscribers across the UK and Europe.<\/p>\n

“Together these customers have realised savings of over \u00a31 billion in just one year,” he said.<\/p>\n

The VAS\u00a0is available for under R149 per month per device (user) and is specifically designed for companies employing up to 100 employees, Vodacom said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives businesses traditional switchboard or PBX features on their cellphone,\u201d Vodacom said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn top of this, One Net Express includes a host of call management functions, such as hunt groups and auto attendant, which means these businesses never have to miss a call again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Businesses will also have the option to either port in or request a landline telephone number for their business, Vodacom said. This number will be accessible to their cellphone with no divert fees.<\/p>\n

The new\u00a0localized\u00a0service also enables up to five devices to connect to WiFi internet through the reception phone and offers\u00a0250MB and 500MB\u00a0data plans. Hart said that bolt on plans are available, but only to contract customers at this stage.<\/p>\n

Vodacom added that the group intends to add bigger data offerings to the product, which launches officially on Sunday (9 June), in the coming months, with the roadmap possible including an\u00a0unlimited\u00a0package.<\/p>\n

Hart said that SMEs should look at the VAS in terms of productivity. He said that Vodacom aims to attract 6,000 customers in the first year, at five\u00a0subscribers\u00a0per customer, meaning a total of 30,000 subscribers.<\/p>\n

Vuyani Jarana<\/a>, chief officer Vodacom Business said: “This is the beginning of our decision to drive solutions to SMEs. We will be coming through with a number of new announcements for business in the coming months.”<\/p>\n

The key features of One Net Express according to Vodacom:<\/p>\n