ICT Software Systems Expansion

With over a thousand students, five regional campuses/centres, and more than a hundred distance learning support centres, it is absolutely essential that Mukhanyo has strong ICT strategy, structures and systems. Robust systems are also needed to support hoped-for growth in the next five to ten years. If everything goes according to plan, a significantly upgraded system will start to be functional in January.

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For the past decade, Mukhanyo’s ICT services were often hindered by unreliable internet quality in KwaMhlanga and at several other locations. Robust comprehensive software solutions with the required functionality and efficiency is also very expensive to implement and maintain.
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But now strategic upgrades and expansions are coming! Mukhanyo is thankful for the expert services of ITUS, an IT consulting service with a missional heart. Jannie Sander of ITUS is serving on Mukhanyo’s team to manage the coordinated implementation of several integrated software systems. Jannie, whose brother also leads a distance learning support centre, is in many ways a gift from God to Mukhanyo. With 25 years of experience, he has assessed Mukhanyo’s existing systems and future needs. He now expertly leads the whole team to install the best possible system solutions for the next decade and longer.

What does this mean in practice? The internet service in KwaMhlanga was recently upgraded; it is now consistently reliably for all high-speed connectivity needs. The managed service provision has been optimised, and a well-integrated software solution, clustered around the Open Collab platform, is being installed.

This important step forward also means much staff training is taking place during this time. The final solution will include a more robust integrated student information system, an expanded learning management system, an integrated library management system, a financial system with human resource and payroll systems, back office and productivity systems, and other related functionality.