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Value as a priority: the next step forward for the ‘as-a-service’ model (By Eiji Ota)

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2 years ago

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as-a-service

As more businesses are seeing the benefits of and investing in as-a-service models, and more vendors are providing them, the level of service required to meet needs has changed

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 17, 2022/APO Group/ — 

By Eiji Ota, B2B Sales and Marketing Director, Canon Central and North Africa (www.Canon-CNA.com).

The as-a-service model existed long before it became mainstream and even before it was branded ‘as-a-service’. Initially, it was mainly used by SMBs and start-ups so they could access software and infrastructure that they would otherwise not be able to afford upfront. SaaS (Software-as-a-service) has been around as early as the 1960s, where smaller businesses started a time-sharing system so they could access modern computer systems in a cost-effective way. [1]

Fast forward to the present day and the as-a-service model has moved on significantly. Now companies of all shapes and sizes are capitalising on the benefits that it can provide. The rise of cloud technology revolutionised purchasing models as it enabled organisations to use services with no commitment, instantly, and buy based on demand. The cloud added value by enabling immediate and flexible consumption, ultimately enhancing business agility.

The cloud defines the capabilities of the as-a-service model

Cloud technology, as well as enabling increased agility, underpins the three main modern characteristics of as-a-service that could not exist without it:

  • Standardisation – whereby the service is not bespoke, but instead provides the same level of value to all customers. Standardised platforms enable businesses to scale quickly, with ease, and leverage the capabilities of the cloud to roll out any necessary updates overnight
  • Flexibility of consumption – going beyond the ability to just pay as you consume. Unlike a flat fee where companies are locked in for a set period, as-a-service is on demand and cloud backed so customers pay based on the duration the service is needed for
  • Termination – on the other side of the same coin, as there is no commitment required for consumption, customers can switch off when they wish. This places increased importance on value that consistently needs to be reasserted.

How the new ‘as-a-service’ model prioritises value

As more businesses are seeing the benefits of and investing in as-a-service models, and more vendors are providing them, the level of service required to meet needs has changed. Customers are increasingly looking for added value, whether that’s saving money, outsourcing business functions, or improving software capabilities. And this is where cloud really comes into its own.

As-a-service is not a new concept, but it was the cloud that enabled its modern characteristics and made it an attractive option for large and small business alike

Flexibility

The pandemic has taught businesses the hard way that IT infrastructure must be resilient in the face of disruption. In the interest of not only adapting to the new normal, but also future proofing operations, flexibility increasingly becomes a priority. Outsourcing implementation shifts ownership from IT departments to specialised vendors. Without the need for skills and expertise from internal talent pools, services can be installed more quickly and with minimal disruption to infrastructure.

Financial benefits

Value for money has always been important, but now customers are expressing a need to have more visibility and control over their expenditure. The as-a-service model can help facilitate this by eliminating substantial upfront payment, allowing businesses to spread the bill across multiple months of service. Maintenance and upgrades incur no extra cost and if something goes wrong, the provider, not the customer, is financially liable. The ability to switch off the service if it does not deliver the value that was originally intended also means wasted expenditure can be avoided.

Increased security

Data security breaches incur high financial costs and long-term reputational damage. With the stakes so high, it may seem counterintuitive to outsource security infrastructure and lose control. However, as service providers have a vested interest in identifying potential weaknesses in your security infrastructure, it can make your business more resilient as a result.

The more people monitoring a private network, the better, as it ensures a quick response to any vulnerabilities that arise. General IT companies that don’t specialise in security can struggle to follow new threats and lack the personnel to support any action needed. With as-a-service, you can cost-effectively gain access to a dedicated team of experts who, not only follow the market closely so are aware of emerging threats, but are focused 24/7 on securing the network. Shifting to service-based models that increase resilience is a valuable preventative investment.

An upgraded ‘as a service’ model

As-a-service is not a new concept, but it was the cloud that enabled its modern characteristics and made it an attractive option for large and small business alike. Standardised, on demand and no commitment solutions not only bring obvious business benefits, but also heighten customer expectations for sustained value. Cloud technology has certainly revolutionised the value of as-a-service, but in such a saturated market it is no longer enough to remain competitive. Customer needs are changing all the time, and to keep up with the evolution of as-a-service, businesses must prioritise value in every decision they make.

[1] http://bit.ly/3hNC30k

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

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Ghana’s Downstream Regulator Joins Accra Investor Briefing to Advance Value Chain

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40 minutes ago

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April 7, 2025

By

The Accra Investor

The Accra Investor Briefing will share insights into Ghana’s petroleum industry ahead of the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies conference this September

ACCRA, Ghana, April 7, 2025/APO Group/ –With a goal to increase the share of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to 50% of the market by 2030, Ghana’s downstream regulator the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is promoting private-led investment across the petroleum value chain. Strengthened policies and technology-driven strategies are already bolstering downstream productivity, but the NPA is seeking greater investment to strengthen fuel security and distribution across West Africa.

During the Invest in African Energies: Accra Investor Briefing on April 14, 2025, taking place at the Kempinski Hotel, the NPA’s CEO Godwin Kudzo Tameklo will outline strategies being implemented by the authority to strengthen the downstream value chain in Ghana. Tameklo is expected to highlight ongoing efforts to attract investment in downstream projects, while sharing an update on the country’s developments such as the Integrated Petroleum Hub, LPG expansion and broader infrastructure advancements.

As the downstream regulator, the NPA manages the importation and refining of crude in Ghana as well as the sale, marketing and distribution of refined petroleum products across the country. The NPA works to position the downstream sector as both a major contributor to domestic product growth and catalyst for long-term economic growth in Ghana. By leveraging technology and growth-centered policy, the NPA has led the growth of Ghana’s downstream industry.

With increased investment, Ghana stands to play a major part in enhancing fuel security across the broader West African region

In April 2024, the country witnessed a 15.4% growth in petroleum consumption, reaching 1,641 kilotons compared to 2023, as well as a 9% rise in gasoline consumption, reaching 588.5 kilotons. In 2024, LPG consumption also witnessed a surge, rising 7.25% throughout the year to reach 340 million liters. An increase in the adoption of LPG was largely attributed to the promotion of the Cylinder Recirculation Model by the NPA – a distribution system implemented in 2023 that allows residents and commercial consumers to utilize LPG through cylinder exchange. LPG adoption rose from 28.9% in 2010 to 60% in 2023, with LPG usage increasing from 18.2% in 2010 to 44.1% in 2023. Strategic LPG projects include the Puma Energy-owned LPG bottling plant in Tema – a $6 million facility with the capacity to deliver 1,200 cylinders per hour. A second plant is being developed by the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company, with a capacity of 150 million cubic feet per day.

To further strengthen distribution, the NPA is leveraging innovative technology and policies that enhance efficiency and profitability across the downstream sector. These include the introduction of a new transparent automatic price adjustment formular, transitioning from an annual regulated pricing model; a zero-tolerance policy for toxic fuel and an increase in low sulphur fuels; as well as technology-based mechanisms such as the petroleum marking scheme, bilk road vehicle tracking project, electronic cargo tracking system and enterprise relational database management software. These mechanisms support efficient monitoring and ensure optimized quality and quantity of petroleum products in Ghana.

Beyond domestic petroleum distribution, Ghana is strengthening regional exports. In 2024, the NPA signed an agreement with Senegal and The Gambia to enhance petroleum product exports. Ghana already exports petroleum to regional neighboring, including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Togo. According to the NPA, the volume of petroleum exports to regional countries from Ghana amounted to 385,154,100 liters. Over 5,000 service providers are registered in Ghana, delivering over four million metric tons of petroleum products annually.

“Ghana is a strong example of the role natural gas and associated LPG production plays in Africa. Through targeted policies, technology-driven mechanisms and a commitment to low-cost, reliable fuels, the NPA is leading the charge towards a more sustainable future in West Africa. With increased investment, Ghana stands to play a major part in enhancing fuel security across the broader West African region,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber

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APO Group Revolutionises Press Release Distribution by Integrating Telegram, Boosting Mobile Accessibility Across Africa

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46 minutes ago

on

April 7, 2025

By

APO Group

APO Group is committed to ensuring that Africa’s stories are shared even more widely and in a manner that is convenient to the continent’s growing mobile population of journalists and news consumer

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 7, 2025/APO Group/ –APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is pleased to announce the integration of Telegram, the popular mobile instant messaging service, into its press release distribution channels. This exciting new development, which sees the company’s press releases available on the mobile app, further cements APO Group’s position as Africa’s premier digital PR and communications firm, with unmatched reach and engagement in the online space.

With an annual dissemination rate of over 10,000 press releases to more than 250 news websites and 450,000 journalists and bloggers across the continent and globally, APO Group is committed to ensuring that Africa’s stories are shared even more widely and in a manner that is convenient to the continent’s growing mobile population of journalists and news consumers.

Telegram gives these users direct access to the press releases published on APO Group’s www.Africa-Newsroom.com platform, enabling them to instantly share relevant real-time updates and exclusive content with their target audiences. Like the web platform, Telegram subscribers can choose their preferred language channel – English, Arabic, French, or Portuguese – providing bespoke, tailored access to APO Group’s press releases in mobile format.

With close to 53 million downloads (https://apo-opa.co/3FWfLWh) in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in 2024, Telegram has rapidly gained traction amongst the region’s users, fundamentally transforming how news is consumed. Incorporating Telegram into its already comprehensive press release distribution channels supports APO Group’s vision of delivering state-of-the-art communications solutions for Africa and the world.

“At APO Group, we’re not only committed to sharing positive and compelling narratives about the African continent; we also want to make it as easy as possible for journalists to republish our content, enhancing exposure for our clients through a channel that is widely accessible and easy to use, with an unlimited audience size. Tailored functionality ensures that information is relevant, topical, and presented in a user-friendly manner,” explained APO Group CEO Bas Wijne.

Innovation and digitalisation are key focus areas for us at APO Group when it comes to enhancing our press release distribution services

“Innovation and digitalisation are key focus areas for us at APO Group when it comes to enhancing our press release distribution services. Telegram presents us with a unique opportunity to further enrich our advanced distribution service, offering journalists a wider range of options to access and share Africa’s stories. This aligns with how the market is evolving, how users are evolving, and how the mobile market is growing.”

In addition to its comprehensive online Africa Newsroom press release distribution platform and the newly launched Telegram mobile news-sharing channel, APO Group is working to provide additional innovative mobile solutions to its clients and the African media in the near future, broadening distribution options even further.

Subscribe to APO Group’s Africa Newsroom Telegram channels using the following links:

English: https://t.me/Africa_Newsroom

French: https://t.me/Africa_Newsroom_FR

Arabic: https://t.me/Africa_Newsroom_AR

Portuguese: https://t.me/Africa_Newsroom_PT

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group

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NCBA and African Guarantee Fund (AGF) Strengthen Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Financing with KES 3 Billion Renewal, Prioritizing Women-Led Businesses

Published

49 minutes ago

on

April 7, 2025

By

African Guarantee Fund

The agreement will continue to support the Group’s efforts to provide financial solutions for SMEs, with a special focus on women-led businesses and those in environmentally responsible sectors

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 7, 2025/APO Group/ –NCBA has today renewed its partnership with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) (https://AfricanGuaranteeFund.com), to enable the Group provide financial solutions to SMEs, through an enhanced guarantee agreement of KES 3 billion for 10 years.

Through the support of AGF’s risk-sharing mechanism, NCBA cumulatively disbursed close to KES 17 billion in loans. Out of these credit facilities, AGF has supported 696 SMEs [over 3,500 transactions] amounting to KES 8.0 billion. The outstanding portfolio is worth KES 1.7 billion.  The partnership has so far generated 7,200 jobs, of which 2,200 target women, while youth account for 4,100 jobs.

Signed by Mr. John Gachora, Group Managing Director of NCBA and Mr. Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of AGF, this enhancement will allow NCBA, on one hand, to further increase its commitment to Kenya’s SME segment and on another, to promote the development of projects in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture as well as support women led/owned businesses.

During the ceremony, the Group Managing Director at NCBA, Mr John Gachora, said, “This strategic partnership with AGF is proof of our devotion to SMEs, particularly those spearheading sustainable practices led by women. I believe that by increasing our guaranteed limit, our capacity to offer more flexible and long-term financial solutions that support SME growth will contribute to economic growth.”

NCBA reaffirmed its commitment to advancing financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs during a recent International Women’s Day dinner in Kapsabet, where the Group hosted its clients. Recognizing the resilience and ambition of women-led businesses, NCBA emphasized its dedication to providing tailored financial solutions, fostering strategic partnerships, and offering business education programs. By equipping women entrepreneurs with the necessary resources, knowledge, and networks, the Group aims to support their growth and long-term success.

Our partnership with NCBA represents a significant step in our mission to support SMEs, who constitute almost 98% of all business in Kenya, and create over 30% of the jobs annually

In addition to the extension of the credit guarantee facility, AGF will provide a Capacity Development grant to NCBA that will be utilized in enhancing the Group’s capacity to lend to more SMEs and particularly to women-led SMEs through creation of a pipeline of credit ready WSMEs.

“Our partnership with NCBA represents a significant step in our mission to support SMEs, who constitute almost 98% of all business in Kenya, and create over 30% of the jobs annually. NCBA has been a valued partner for over 12 years, and this renewal marks a new milestone in our shared mission to unlock financing for SMEs. Our collaboration has already achieved remarkable impact, and by increasing this facility, we can reach even more businesses that are shaping the future of Kenya’s economy,” said AGF Group CEO, Jules Ngankam.

Furthermore, this partnership corresponds with AGF’s goals of promoting women’s empowerment through the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) program and endorsing green initiatives to stimulate a more sustainable economy, through its Green Guarantee Facility.

NCBA actively promotes sustainability through targeted mentorship and skill-building programs for women and youth, fostering diversity and diligence. The Group directs at least 30% of its procurement to women and youth, advancing inclusion. Through a KES6.5 billion partnership with Proparco, NCBA supports green financing and women’s economic empowerment, aligning with its “Change the Story” agenda.

Moreover, the institution invests KES150 million yearly in community development, education and sports. Its environmental efforts, such as tree planting and plastic reduction, further contribute to sustainable livelihoods.

NCBA encourages SMEs seeking flexible financial solutions to partner with the Group to unlock credit facilities and other services to grow their businesses. The partnership will benefit these businesses as they will have access to a range of solutions, including finance, currency exchange, cash management systems, online banking, and other services.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Guarantee Fund

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