by Boetie Swanepoel - CEO e.com institute  [Johannesburg, 26 September 2007]

e.com institute has restructured, shifting its core focus from ICT to the delivery of business solutions that will help companies remain competitive and profitable in an increasingly demanding marketplace.

Although ICT still plays an important role in the new business structure, it is positioned as an underlying enabler of sound business solutions, approaches and proven methodologies rather than a driver of business.

The recent merger with Aquismart, a company with a strong focus on business performance, further enables e.com institute to move forward in this new direction. Executives from Aquismart are now playing an active role in the new corporate structure of e.com institute. Boetie Swanepoel, who previously led Aquismart, is now the new CEO, as the founder Cassim Parak becomes the Executive Chairman and Marketing Director.

Says Swanepoel: "To create or sustain a successful organisation we believe it is critical to align the business strategy with company assets, people, process and systems and deliver access to information. This alignment will improve business performance and obtain a higher return for all the stakeholders.

"By adding business skills to this mix, e.com institute will fulfil a wider range of business needs, propelling businesses from their current positions to realise their corporate goals and ambitions."

The new structure of the organisation is designed around the support of six underlying areas that impact business performance, namely strategy, assets, people, systems, information and process.

The foundation of the new business model is the strategy, determining the direction, and underpins the success of a company. e.com institute's focused approach and highly developed and tested models will support businesses with the strategic analysis and strategic direction setting, GAP analysis and strategic alignment phases.

e.com institute's consulting arm will provide the skills and best practices essential to developing strategies and smoothly and effectively deploying solutions that meet our client's individual business requirements.

The merger with Aquismart has grown our resource base, bringing a wealth of experience in these newly defined business areas. Our focus on skills and human capital development further ensures service excellence.

Concludes Swanepoel: "We have structured e.com institute to provide a holistic approach to the identification and elimination of the root cause of underperformance by our clients' businesses. This model will allow us to increase our competitiveness, providing our customers with a service that incorporates a strong understanding of underlying business needs and an approach that factors in the wider implications to the whole business."

Boetie Swanepoel - CEO e.com institute (Pty) Limited
(011) 262 4262
boetie@ecominstitute.com