ATIO invests in transformation
June/July 2006

ATIO Corporation, a company specialising in ICT solutions and services, was recently rated as a black empowered company in recognition of its investment in transformation.

Based on ATIO's overall commitment to broad-based black economic empowerment, ATIO was awarded with a BBB rating by EmpowerDEX, an independent economic empowerment-rating agency. ATIO's BBB rating was also determined by its significant spend on affirmative procurement as well as its contribution to corporate social investment. ATIO sponsors social development initiatives such as call centres used to raise funds for charitable organisations and the IT education needs of a Sowetan school. During 2005, ATIO spent in excess of 50% of its local procurement with empowered suppliers.

" The need for transformation in our industry is unquestionable and the rating provides an honest and frank snapshot of our progress towards promoting a transformed society. The rating shows that ATIO is serious about BEE," said Annetjie Moore, human resources director at ATIO .

At the ownership level, Thuthukani Information Technology Services (Pty) Ltd, a 100% black owned, managed and staffed company in its own right, has a 35% shareholding in ATIO.

ATIO's commitment is also evident at the operational level. Embedded in its business culture is an ethos of investing in staff development. ATIO retains and fosters expertise by offering top performers a long-term career management programme. According to Moore, this is weighted towards including talented black staff members within the programme.

The company is also able to identify new IT talent through its year-long learnership programme. In 2005, four black learners developed their IT expertise within ATIO. The company was then able to fill internal vacancies from among these graduates at the end of the programme.

"While we strive to better employment equity within the company, our demographics of 44% black staff and 35% women is better than that of the South African IT industry in general," said Moore.

"ATIO invests in staff development and transformation as a means to grow the company by promoting talent and competence within the IT field. Our people are our competitive advantage," said Moore.

ATIO's largest division, Interactive Communication Solutions (ICS) provides integrated contact-centre, CRM and messaging solutions and services. ATIO Telecom Services provides end-to-end network performance and revenue assurance testing solutions and services to mobile and fixed-line operators. These divisions both focus on niche ICT markets in southern Africa.