Since October 2005, Francesco Testi has been responsible for marketing and communication activities at Dimension Data Italy. Born in 1977, Testi holds a degree in Communication Sciences, with a post-graduate doctorate in Corporate Communication and Business Development. Francesco Testi joined Dimension Data Italy in 2003 as Communication Manager, then became Head of Marketing Communications in 2004, with the task of coordinating and managing all communication activities (both internal and external) and managing media relations, until assuming his current position. His curriculum is rounded out by experiences gained at Deimos Italy, where he joined in 2001 as Sales & Marketing Assistant at the Padua office, later moving to the role of Communications Manager.
What is meant by Secure Converged Communications?As of today, Dimension Data is one of the leading services & solution integrators in the global and Italian market able to offer its clients a “converged network.” By this term, I mean to emphasize how the role of the network, the network infrastructure, has evolved from a simple substrate for the transfer of data and information to a powerful tool capable of enhancing its capabilities and performance, thus becoming the meeting point of all enabling technologies. It becomes the hinge between the different facets of IT, the point where the heart of the company converges; so no longer just data but voice and video, security and telephony, presence and real time, mobility and collaboration. What all these terms mean, and above all, what they mean altogether. Their novelty lies not so much in their traditional, stand-alone definition but in considering them all as fundamental parts of the concept of Convergence, the only key to satisfy clients and their business 360°. The converged communications are the result of the convergence of voice, video, and data over IP protocol, able to provide the client with the possibility to connect, communicate, and collaborate more efficiently and effectively, guaranteeing maximum confidentiality and security of information or sensitive data.How does the Italian market for Secure Converged Communications present itself and what are the prospects? What is the relationship of Italian companies with Secure Converged Communications?As indicated by all the main analysts in the sector, the Italian IT market in general has begun to show timid signs of recovery. And it is precisely in converged communications that this signal is stronger than in other areas for a number of reasons that I will try to briefly identify below. First of all, a greater knowledge and awareness of IP as a new path for effective, economical, and scalable communications. This new awareness allows companies to invest with greater confidence and incisiveness, so much as to enable defining business plans together with the client that extend from a mere technological approach to a more strategic one where the choice of means and tools integrates with strategic and business tactical decisions. Finally, the criteria for choosing the best technology to adopt have shifted from stability to security, a significant course change in company choices and strategic plans. Finally, security and convergence are terms that have entered into the daily use of Italian CTOs and CIOs.What is the vision of Dimension Data?Founded in 1983 and headquartered in South Africa, Dimension Data is a company specialized in IT solutions and services that facilitate the design, creation, and support of IT infrastructures. Dimension Data leverages its knowledge in networking technologies, security, operating environments, storage, and contact centers, along with its extensive experience in consulting, integration, and managed services to offer customized solutions. Thanks to proven expertise in networking, it is a leading company in providing solutions that help clients simplify and consolidate IT infrastructures through IP.Who is your typical client?Dimension Data Italy, just like Dimension Data Plc, the parent company, positions itself in the market as a highly competent player with a widespread presence throughout the territory, making Dimension Data the point of reference for large multinationals as well as national enterprises. In Italy, Dimension Data is no exception; we work with the largest multinationals in different sectors, from pharmaceuticals (e.g., Pfizer), to large-scale retail (e.g., Carrefour), from major telecom carriers (e.g., BT Italy) to the world of public administrations (e.g., Province of Bergamo). At the same time, Dimension Data does not overlook the peculiarities of the Italian market and pays particular attention to Small & Medium Business through a dedicated internal BU aimed at offering these clients services with a high quality standard.Who are your competitors?The main competitors in Italy for Dimension Data are: Telecom Italia IBM Global Services HP Services EDS Italtel Ascom TelindusWhat does Dimension Data offer more than the competitors present in Italy, why choose you?I believe the greatest values that differentiate Dimension Data from other players in the market can be summed up in three words: competence, experience, and a broad and complete service offering. Competence. Our technological knowledge, recognized worldwide and locally not only by clients but also by manufacturers, foremost among them Cisco Systems, is one of the values that distinguish us. To better illustrate the concept of competence, Dimension Data is one of the two most important partners for Cisco Systems and one of the top three partners for Microsoft worldwide. Experience. Dimension Data has been operating in IT since 1983 with a total focus on the world of IP and all its variants. Today, with half a million IP phones installed worldwide (in Italy we have surpassed 10,000 since 2000), it is the largest integrator of IP Telephony and VoIP solutions using Cisco technology. Additionally, Dimension Data boasts the highest number of CCIE certified technicians, second only to Cisco itself. Service offering. Just this month we presented worldwide, European, and Italian level Dimension Data’s new Services Framework. A continuum of professional and managed services capable of accompanying the client from the design phase, through a dedicated and innovative maintenance and monitoring service, to strategic support, making the IT infrastructure the base to expand the core business.How did the last year go and what are your future objectives?The extremely positive results in terms of new clients acquired, greater market receptivity, and acceptance of the solutions offered, testify to Dimension Data’s commitment and competence as a specialized partner for the implementation of security solutions, the creation of converged infrastructures and contact centers, and the provision of managed services. The close of this last fiscal year marks a milestone in the history of Dimension Data worldwide and especially in Italy, thanks to extremely positive financial results exceeding expectations, with increases distributed and in some cases exceeding 100% across all business lines, foremost among them Converged Communications. For this new just-begun fiscal year, following the strengthening of the Rome office, Dimension Data Italy plans to increase investments in the central-southern area, continuing at the same time to focus on converged communication regarding mobility, IP telephony, and security. Furthermore, we anticipate strengthening the partnership with Cisco Systems through the exclusive Global Services Alliance, which will allow both companies to offer their clients the broadest range of technological services, and the new services framework that will position us as the sole point of contact for clients, providing complete and integrated packages. REPRODUCTION RESERVED
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