Southern Cross launches consulting division

Local systems integrator Southern Cross Computer Systems has launched a consulting practice headed by former Ipex and Volante CIO Ashutosh Kapse.

The integrator intends to expand beyond its traditional IT infrastructure services to strategic consulting, information security, IT governance and disaster recovery, Southern Cross CEO Mark Kalmus said.

“You need to differentiate yourself from the traditional reseller model. If you’re not in application delivery, one of the few other areas you can grow with is consulting services,” he said.

Kalmus said the company’s ICT governance services would focus on issues such as an organisation’s compliance obligations, while its strategic planning services would assist companies to develop their IT strategy and align it to organisational goals.

“The third pillar will be based around a range of security services which will include understanding and managing risks, reducing liabilities and optimising the cost of maintaining an appropriate level of security,” he said.

Kalmus admitted that profit margins in the integrator’s traditional business had decreased but the company had to keep evolving.

“At the lower end of the marketplace, product is product – even the storage space is being commoditised.”

Kalmus said that the integrator could sell its consulting services to a company of any size.