Consumers laud Echo IT services 

Brian Ogutu is the Information Technology manager at Biyinzika Poultry, a company that deals in chicken products.

With different chicken farm locations across the country, communication is of the essence in this kind of business, especially because of the market dynamics; not least the perishable nature of their products. It is against that background, therefore, that Biyinzika has for the last five years maintained a business relationship with Echo, a business IT solutions firm, to expedite their dealings.

In fact, according to Ogutu, they could not have found a better business partner than Echo. On November 22, Echo, which is a brand started in South Africa back in 2010, officially launched its services through a meet-and-interact session with some of its customers. It was an occasion to reflect on how far Echo has come with its services to its clients, and how it intends to propel them further.

Ogutu said: “Echo’s IT services are quite efficient from Internet connectivity, which enables fast and reliable communication around the clock. Yet, also, it comes at an affordable fee.”

For example, Ogutu explained, Because of where some of our business centres are located, deep in the rural areas, the internet connectivity was not good. And in order to boost it, we need VSAT (satellite) technology, which ordinarily is costly. Initially, we had to spend at least $6,000 (Shs 22 million), but because of Echo, we pay $1,500 (Shs 5.7 million).”

Ogutu has seen the company make major cash savings on internet services. That said, Ogutu pointed out that Echo has an up-time approach in its services to customers. Herein, he explained that in case of any dysfunction in the system, they act fast to sort out any mishaps.

In addition, Ogutu said Echo’s service platform also goes ahead to ensure communication even where internet connectivity is not available through their cost-cutting technology (SDI connection) for big files and videos between different locations. Ogutu recalls that during the Covid-19 lockdown, cost-cutting was imperative, which made Echo’s technology handy.

Prossy Nambuya, the Information and Communications Technology manager in the ministry of Health, has dealt with Echo for more than seven years. She said they are one IT solutions platform that is a “one-stop shop.”

They have provided their organization with a host of support systems, ranging from Internet connectivity (phone calls and research), managing networks, security (data protection and firewalls), cloud (back-up storage of data) and hosting, among others, in the deepest of rural-area- based health centres, making the treatment and tracking of health problems better through easier medical worker interaction.

Essentially, they can handle almost every IT issue, including hardware maintenance and software upgrading.

“This saves one, particularly businesses and organizations, from having to run around looking for different experts in distinct IT fields,” Nambuya said.

Aashiq Shariff, Echo’s commercial director in East Africa, said that having mastered the African terrain over the years, they have observed that businesses have different needs, which is why they have a range of products.

“We want businesses to accomplish and realize their goals, which is why we are simplifying technology,” Shariff said.

Uganda is the eighth African state, after Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius and Namibia where Echo has a presence.

jovi@observer.ug