Global Micro, South Africa’s most experienced hosted infrastructure IT provider, has announced two strategic appointments, as it diversifies its distribution strategy around its core cloud offerings.
Izak Laubscher has been appointed chief cloud architect, taking over from founder JJ Milner. Demetri Petropoulos has been employed as Head of Enterprise Business Development and will be responsible for growing the existing reseller base within the channel, as well as maturing and growing Global Micro’s ability to deliver complex projects direct to the enterprise space.
Until now, Milner had absorbed the responsibilities of Chief Cloud Architect; the new appointment allows him to focus on his managerial directorship role, including the growth and direction of the company.
Petropoulos is a qualified software and electronics engineer with 18 years’ IT industry experience, specifically in consulting and corporate accounts. Career highlights include business development at Accenture, assisting in the establishment of EOH Microsoft Services, and consulting on information management and shared services at Sasol.
“The channel is changing,” says Petropoulos. “Resellers have to do more than just drop a solution into a business. In order to survive, they need to differentiate their services and add value beyond the installation of a product. Our decision to take a direct market approach when selling to enterprise clients will enable us to build stronger relationships and provide the support and knowledge needed to run large-scale deployments.
“Cloud computing is changing the face of business, but not all existing infrastructure and processes integrate seamlessly into the cloud – that’s where we come in.”
With 15 years’ IT industry experience, and certified in information technology, computer engineering and artificial intelligence, Laubscher brings sought-after knowledge and skills to Global Micro’s cloud computing division.
Joining from Microsoft Consulting Service, he has experience in architecting and building cloud solutions while driving cloud adoption, optimising data centres, business development management, ISV maturity consulting and architecting. He is currently mentoring and contributing to key standards and framework communities for enterprise architecture and technology product teams.
“The cloud is no longer just a nice to have in the enterprise – it’s a given – and it’s becoming more pervasive. I’m looking forward to working closely with our clients as they figure out which configuration works best for them while driving product adoption and maturity,” says Laubscher.
“Much like in the consumer space, enterprises want immediate access to key enterprise or work services wherever they are. With Global Micro’s new distribution strategy, we will be in a position to educate our enterprise clients and define their cloud strategies and architectures.
“Cloud is a disruptive technology,” says Milner. “And this means supply chain roles will have to change and adapt in order to survive. There will now be an even greater focus on relationships, business and product expertise, and technical support.
“This is the direction we are going with our enterprise business, and bringing Demetri and Izak on board is key in enabling this. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, and I am confident their skills will further differentiate Global Micro in the cloud computing space.”
