5. CONCLUSION
The research conducted in this study shows a strong need and continued demand and
support for ERP. Competition and globalisation will change the way the ICT industry is
providing service and operators will need technological advantages to sustain or
increase market share. Also, this research has shown that some clear and quantifiable
benefits can arise from the implementation of ERP in the ICT sector.
The unprecedented growth of the industry in South Africa has resulted in a relatively
good growth year-on-year and a healthy growth rate is expected to be sustained.
Based on the analysis performed in the previous section, it can be concluded that ICT
operators in SA will face more competition in terms of service delivery. This will, thus,
lead to the increased rivalry and fight for maximum market share. The tactics used in
this competition will obviously include integrated management systems that improve
service delivery. New entrants to the ICT industry, such as the second network
operator (SNO) and other value added networks will capitalise on IT sub-systems in
service delivery to their customers.
With the latest technological developments and globalisation, it will be important for SA
operators to keep abreast of the impacts of these developments and hence improve
service provisioning of their customers. The research also revealed the strong positive
relationship, which exists between customer relationship management tools and
excellent customer services. This can provide operators with a competitive tool for a
better service provisioning.
As detailed above, the expansion of the ICT industry in SA will result in the need for
better service provisioning and integrated management systems necessary for the
services required. As shown in this paper, more respondents are in favour of ERP for
better service provisioning. It can be argued that the benefits of implementing ERP as
a way of doing business by the ICT sector far outweigh the costs.
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The 91.6 per cent support of the respondents for the statement that ICT operators in
South Africa will be highly effective and automated after 10 years can be used to
conclude that ERP systems have not been fully implemented or not fully utilised. Thus,
ERP systems in the ICT sector and more specifically in the telecommunications
industry are at a developmental stage. It can also be concluded that a strong need
and demand for ERP in the ICT industry exists. ERP tools will thus have a positive
impact in the ICT industry in terms of integrated networks and IT systems. In addition,
it can be concluded that ERP tools will enable organisations to share information
resources across divisions with the guarantee of proper protection.
It is proposed that organisations develop their ERP systems in order to generate a
competitive advantage. Thus, in order to deal effectively with disjointed IT and network
systems in the ICT industry; operators are to develop and implement ERP systems in
ICT organisations. As developed ERP systems will deal effectively with security of
information, it is recommended that such systems be implemented where success of
organisations and businesses are dependent on the protection of their trade secrets.
It can thus be concluded that the respondents are of the opinion that ERP tools that
are automated and integrated will result in enhancement of customer relationships and
consequently in improved customer satisfaction. It can also be concluded that the
previously mentioned relationships will inevitably lead to improved administrative
functioning with its resultant contributions to customer satisfaction for companies in the
ICT sector and more specifically for the telecommunications industry.