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Delivering customised productivity solutions for modern enterprises

We’re proud to announce that we’ve earned the Teamwork Deployment Advanced Specialization from Microsoft in recognition of our premier capabilities in the deployment of Microsoft Teams, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, and Yammer workloads for customers.

This is the sixth advanced specialization we’ve achieved since September 2020, after similar accomplishments in Adoption and Change ManagementIdentity and Access ManagementMicrosoft Windows Virtual DesktopThreat Protection, and Windows Server and SQL Server Migration to Microsoft Azure.

Microsoft 365 teamwork solutions play a critical role for enterprises, notes Chief Technology Officer Willem Malan. “With these cloud-powered tools, business teams are able to meet, chat, call, and collaborate online, and they’re able to do it securely – from their offices, factories, warehouses, and dining-room tables – as they adjust to the hybrid and remote-work scenarios we’re seeing today,” he says.

Enabling secure collaboration in the new world of work

Microsoft Teams, in particular, has emerged as a powerhouse platform for business communication and co-operation, observes Malan. “There are about 145 million daily active users on Teams, across locations and time zones around the world. It’s a very comprehensive shared online workspace, and Microsoft continues to introduce new features to help people carry out their daily tasks and stay in touch with their colleagues, clients, and service partners, no matter where they’re based. From one-on-one conversations to group calls and company-wide video conferences, Teams delivers the rich functionality required for seamless collaboration in diverse environments,” he explains.

As enterprise leaders look to the cloud for efficiency and scalability, they must remember the importance of people-centric change, advises Malan. “You have to choose the right tools for your people and their specific needs. You have to make sure that those resources are configured and deployed correctly. And you have to give your teams the training and support they need to adopt and embrace the new technology, as quickly and easily as possible,” he adds.

The Teamwork Deployment Advanced Specialization not only validates our expertise in this area, but also demonstrates our commitment to delivering innovative, customised solutions for the modern workplace.

“We’re excited to help our customers embrace the Microsoft productivity suite. From flexible communication and collaboration with Teams to email and calendaring with Exchange Online and content management with SharePoint Online, our specialists are empowering business organisations to become more productive every day,” concludes Malan.

Give your teams the tools they need to stay secure and productive.

Microsoft Teams is a shared virtual space geared for modern communication and collaboration.

See how one of South Africa’s top digital banks uses Teams to ensure business continuity.

Five questions to ask your leadership team before the POPIA grace period ends

South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act gives individuals more control over how their personal information is collected, processed, and used by private and public bodies. The Act requires such bodies (AKA responsible parties) to meet several minimum requirements for the lawful processing of data – and the grace period is almost over. From 1 July 2021, SA organisations must be compliant. Are you ready? Ask your leadership team these five questions to check that key areas of accountability have been addressed…

1 | Do we have a registered Information Officer?

As a responsible party, you are required to register your Information Officer with the Information Regulator by 1 July 2021.

You can do this online via the Information Officer Registration Portal on the Information Regulator’s website, where electronic and PDF versions of the registration form are available. The portal also contains relevant documentation, including guidance notes, official notices, and policies.

Remember, your Information Officer (IO) is the person responsible for making sure your organisation adheres to POPIA. They need to encourage and ensure your organisation’s compliance with POPIA, deal with any information access requests pursuant to the legislation, and work with the Information Regulator in relation to any investigations conducted in terms of POPIA.

They also need to see to it that an organisational compliance framework is developed, implemented, monitored and maintained, and that internal awareness sessions are conducted regarding the provisions of the Act, among other duties. The IO’s responsibilities are listed in Section 55 of POPIA and in the POPIA Regulations.

2 | Do we have adequate security measures in place?

As a responsible party, you are required to secure the integrity and confidentiality of personal information in your possession or under your control.

According to Section 19 of POPIA, this includes the implementation of “appropriate, reasonable technical and organisational measures” to prevent loss of, damage to, or unauthorised destruction of personal information.

Whether you manage personal data on paper or online, POPIA calls for you to identify all reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the data; establish and maintain appropriate safeguards against the risks identified; regularly verify that the safeguards are effectively implemented; and ensure that the safeguards are continually updated in response to new risks.

In addition, POPIA decrees that you must have “due regard to generally accepted information security practices and procedures” which may apply to you generally, or which may be required in terms of specific industry or professional regulations (e.g., hospitals are expected to have strict security measures in place to protect the detailed, sensitive medical records of their patients).

3 | Do we know what to do in the event of a data breach?

As a responsible party, you are required to report security compromises to the Information Regulator and the data subject(s) involved as soon as reasonably possible.

Section 22 of POPIA describes the obligations of the responsible party when there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that the personal information of a data subject has been accessed or acquired by an unauthorised person.

You should have a comprehensive incident response plan on hand to guide your actions in the event of a data breach, data leak, or cybersecurity incident. Make sure that your IO and key members of your leadership team follow a systematic process to identify the incident, respond appropriately, escalate where necessary, and communicate clearly in line with POPIA’s stipulations.

If you fail to notify data subjects in such circumstances, you could face imprisonment, fines, or both. Remember, you must notify affected parties in writing as soon as reasonably possible after the discovery of a security compromise.

4 | Do we have employee training initiatives in place?

As a responsible party, you should ensure that your employees are educated about basic information security protocols and procedures.

From your Human Resources Department, which handles sensitive staff info, to your employees themselves, who may manage personal data from customers, suppliers, and service providers, your teams have to deal with personal information on a regular basis.

Make sure everyone in your organisation is familiar with POPIA’s requirements – and that individual staff members, line managers, and department heads understand their duties and responsibilities when it comes to data processing, data management, and data security.

Educate your personnel about the collection, use, and storage of personal information under POPIA, and remember that they may need specialised training for new systems and new productivity tools deployed now, or in the future.

5 | Do we understand the risks of non-compliance?

As a responsible party, you could face hefty fines or imprisonment if you’re found to be in contravention of the law.

There are civil and criminal consequences for non-compliance with POPIA. Section 99 of the Act describes how a data subject (or the Information Regulator, at the request of a data subject) may institute civil action against a responsible party for breach of POPIA.

Offences, penalties, and administrative fines are outlined in Chapter 11 of the legislation. If you are convicted of an offence in terms of POPIA, you could be fined up to R10-million, or imprisoned for up to 10 years.

Non-compliance also poses a risk to your reputation: public trust in your organisation could be eroded overnight if you suffer a data breach, and serious brand damage could cripple your business irrevocably.

Get expert help for all your data security needs.

The BUI Cyber Security Operations Center is the first of its kind in Africa. Take a look inside to see how our security experts protect and defend critical data 365 days a year.

Or contact our team directly to learn more about next-generation security solutions to safeguard your personal information, customer files, and business resources.

BUI to participate in first Identity Management Day

BUI is pleased to announce that it will participate in the first Identity Management Day, an annual awareness event that will take place on the second Tuesday in April every year. The inaugural Identity Management Day will be held on 13 April 2021.

Founded by the Identity Defined Security Alliance (IDSA), the mission of Identity Management Day is to educate business leaders and IT decision-makers on the importance of identity management and key components including governance, identity-centric security best practices, processes, and technology, with a special focus on the dangers of not properly securing identities and access credentials.

In addition, the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) will provide guidance for consumers, to ensure that their online identities are better protected through security awareness, best practices, and readily available technologies.

“Raising awareness around identity management is especially critical after a barrage of identity-based breaches made headlines in the past year,” said Julie Smith, the executive director of the IDSA. “In fact, research by the IDSA reveals that 79 percent of organisations have experienced an identity-related breach in the last two years, and 99 percent believe their identity-related breaches were preventable.”

Smith continued: “Compounding this, the ongoing pandemic has accelerated digital transformation initiatives that support changes in how we work and how we live day-to-day, putting organisations at greater risk. Our hope is that Identity Management Day will result in higher prioritisation of identity security and, as a result, fewer data breaches in 2021 and beyond. We are grateful for all of the support from the IDSA and NCSA member companies, and the broader industry, to further this mission.”

BUI is proud to be an Identity Management Day Champion Organisation alongside leading technology companies from around the world. “It’s imperative for businesses to have identity and access management strategies that can stand up to the modern threat landscape,” said BUI Managing Director Ryan Roseveare. “Identity Management Day is an opportunity to put your own IAM policies under the microscope, to improve them where necessary, and to educate your teams about the importance of identity security.”

To support Identity Management Day on 13 April, BUI will share identity and security resources (including how-to tips and tutorials) on its FacebookLinkedIn, and Twitter pages.

Learn more about Identity Management Day on the official website, or check out the #IDMgmtDay and #BeIdentitySmart hashtags on social media.

Be proactive about your digital identity today and every day.

BUI is a Microsoft Azure Expert MSP with advanced specializations in Identity and Access Management, Threat Protection, and more.

Let’s talk about cloud-powered, intelligence-driven IAM solutions for your business. Contact our specialists to arrange a consultation.

BUI attains Windows Server and SQL Server Migration to Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization

We are excited to announce that we have earned the Windows Server and SQL Server Migration to Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization in recognition of our deep knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise in migrating Windows Server and SQL Server-based workloads to Azure.

Only Microsoft Partners that meet stringent criteria around customer success and staff skilling, as well as pass a third-party audit of their migration practices, are able to earn the Windows Server and SQL Server Migration to Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization.

As companies look to modernise their applications and take full advantage of the benefits that cloud computing can deliver, and with the recent end-of-support for Windows Server 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2008 R2, they are looking for a partner with advanced skills to assess, plan, and migrate their existing workloads to the cloud.

“This is the fifth advanced specialization we have attained since September last year, and it complements our existing capabilities in Adoption and Change ManagementIdentity and Access ManagementThreat Protection, and Windows Virtual Desktop,” says BUI Managing Director Ryan Roseveare.

“As more and more businesses turn to the cloud for productivity, security and scalability, we’re seeing an increased demand for expert technical advice and collaborative engagements. We are committed to giving customers the best service and the most innovative solutions to help them not only migrate with confidence, but also achieve their business objectives as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Roseveare explains.

Lionel Moyal, Commercial Partner Director at Microsoft South Africa, adds: “The Windows Server and SQL Server Migration to Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization highlights the partners who can be viewed as most capable when it comes to migrating Windows-based workloads over to Azure. BUI clearly demonstrated that they have both the skills and the experience to offer clients a path to successful migration so that they can start enjoying the benefits of being in the cloud. I applaud BUI for this achievement. It further underscores their continuing efforts to deliver the highest levels of customer service and support in a rapidly changing world of work.”

BUI offers a two-week-long Data Centre Migration to Azure workshop for customers looking to transform their business operations with cloud technology. The workshop includes a cloud readiness assessment, a detailed road map for cloud implementation, Azure architecture fundamentals, a migration plan, and a migration execution proposal. Learn more on Azure Marketplace, or contact our team today.

Need a trusted partner to help you migrate to the cloud?

BUI is a Microsoft Azure Expert Managed Services Provider and a member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association.

Let’s talk about cloud-powered productivity and security solutions customised for your business requirements.

BUI acquires M2M Systems in Kenya

BUI is growing! We’re pleased to announce that we’ve acquired M2M Systems, an award-winning cloud solutions provider and fellow Microsoft Partner organisation based in Nairobi, Kenya.

M2M Systems specialises in digital transformation for small and medium-sized enterprises, through Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. Founded in 2013, the company has helped more than 100 businesses in Kenya and the wider East African region to communicate, collaborate, and connect with customers using the power of cloud technology.

Ryan Roseveare, our Managing Director, is excited to build on the foundations that have supported M2M Systems’ success. “For BUI, this acquisition represents much more than a business expansion: it’s an opportunity to accelerate cloud adoption and digital transformation in Kenya by bringing the expertise we’ve gained through Microsoft’s global programmes to a dynamic regional market where the cloud is actively embraced as a driver of business efficiency and scalability,” he says.

As a Microsoft Azure Expert MSP and a member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association, BUI’s Microsoft roots run deep. “We’re thrilled that M2M Systems has a team of technologists who share not only our enthusiasm for Microsoft Azure, but also our commitment to innovation and customer-centric service delivery,” adds Roseveare.

Increasing capacity, fuelling growth

Justin Colin, our Business Development Manager, is working alongside M2M Systems during the transition period. “M2M Systems has an excellent track record of cloud engagements and a loyal customer base that spans Kenya’s financial services industry, legal sector, and transportation sector. In the coming months, we’ll focus on increasing staff capacity and creating a broader solution portfolio to meet the evolving needs of the local and regional markets,” he says, adding that the BUI Cyber Security Operations Center, the Nettprotect vulnerability scanning service, and the a2zManaged cloud management service will be important augmentations.

M2M Systems Managing Partner Clare Mungai, one of Kenya’s leading women in technology, says the demand for reliable, scalable, and secure productivity solutions is higher than ever. “In the past seven years, we’ve witnessed the steady growth of cloud adoption in Kenya, but last year’s shift to remote work put that growth into overdrive. Customers are looking to harness the full spectrum of cloud services, and BUI brings a wealth of Azure, security, and networking expertise to complement our existing Microsoft strengths. I have no doubt that this fusion of talent and vision will unlock new possibilities, here and across East Africa. I look forward to welcoming BUI to Nairobi, and working together to support customers throughout their digital transformation journeys.”

Roseveare is equally positive. “With an established base in Kenya and a highly skilled team of cloud specialists, we’ll be able to extend our reach and deliver customised, locally relevant solutions to help organisations become more productive, more competitive, and more secure,” he concludes.

Connect with us on social media for more news and industry updates…

Follow BUI on FacebookLinkedIn and Twitter for helpful tech tips and tutorials from our team.

And sign up for our free security webinars in March to get useful insights from our pros in 15 minutes.

BUI earns fourth advanced specialization from Microsoft

We’re proud to announce that we’ve earned the Threat Protection Advanced Specialization from Microsoft in recognition of our proven success in deploying Microsoft Threat Protection, Microsoft Cloud App Security, and Azure Sentinel workloads.

The Threat Protection Advanced Specialization is the fourth such Microsoft accreditation that our company has earned in recent months: BUI also holds advanced specializations in Adoption and Change ManagementWindows Virtual Desktop, and Identity and Access Management.

“Security has always been a core focus area for us,” explains Chief Technology Officer Willem Malan. “We strive to give customers the best technology, the most comprehensive guidance, and the most innovative solutions to help them protect their digital estates from evolving threats. The Threat Protection Advanced Specialization is not only an acknowledgement of our premier technical capabilities, but also an indication of our commitment to value-driven service,” he says.

As cyberattacks become more sophisticated and more frequent worldwide, it is imperative for customers to be proactive about security, continues Malan. “To safeguard your business effectively, you need the right expertise and the right resources. BUI specialists are already leveraging next-generation tools for threat detection, investigation, and remediation to provide holistic security services to customers. Beyond that, we are actively expanding our range of Microsoft competencies and pursuing new opportunities to deliver even greater support to businesses that are adapting to remote-work and hybrid-work scenarios in the pandemic era,” he adds.

BUI was the first South African company to achieve Microsoft Azure Expert Managed Services Provider status, and joined the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) last year. Top-tier cloud and security skills, as well as collaboration within the wider cybersecurity industry, enable us to better serve our own customers, states Malan.

“Advanced specializations, including our latest one in threat protection, position us to deliver relevant, cutting-edge solutions for complex workplaces. And industry associations, like MISA, provide us with important insights into global security trends. As security advisors and partners, we are making sure that our customers receive unrivalled service and support at every stage of their journey with us,” he says.

Malan describes Azure Sentinel, Microsoft’s cloud-native security information and event management platform, as a crucial part of the modern security stack. “It’s an incredibly powerful tool for continuous, real-time visibility across the IT ecosystem. And it’s a single pane of glass that brings structure and simplicity to security operations. Our customer deployments have been very successful, and the results speak for themselves: reduced risk exposure and faster threat detection and response,” he explains.

SEE HOW WE DO IT | Take a look inside the BUI Cyber SoC

As business organisations search for scalable, cost-effective ways to protect their networks, servers, endpoints, databases, applications, and users from cyberthreats, Malan believes two factors will determine the technology partners they choose: reputation and expertise. “We have a longstanding and award-winning relationship with Microsoft, and customers trust us to deliver the right solutions for their needs. For more than two decades, we’ve helped enterprises to design, deploy, and manage their IT assets securely. We’re excited to continue this tradition as we engage with customers who want to protect and defend their critical systems and data,” he concludes.

Learn how to protect your business from evolving threats.

Register for our 15-minute security webinars this March and get relevant advice and tips from our specialists.

Browse through our webinar topics and register to secure your spot. It’s quick, easy, and free! Just sign up, and show up.

BUI supports Data Privacy Day awareness initiative

BUI is pleased to support Data Privacy Day as a Champion Organisation alongside private, public, non-profit, and government organisations from around the world. Data Privacy Day is held annually on the 28th of January, and is co-ordinated by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). It’s a worldwide effort that generates awareness about the importance of privacy, and highlights simple ways to protect personal information.

This year, the NCSA is encouraging individuals to own their privacy by learning more about how to protect the valuable data that is online. The NCSA is also encouraging businesses to respect privacy by keeping individuals’ personal information safe from unauthorised access and ensuring fair, relevant, and legitimate data collection and processing.

According to a Pew Research Center study, 79% of US adults are concerned about the way their data is used by companies. A Cisco survey found that 84% of consumers want more control over how their data is used. And Akamai investigations revealed that 39% of consumers are likely to walk away from a company that requires them to provide highly sensitive data in order to do business.

As technology evolves and the coronavirus pandemic continues to influence how consumers interact with businesses online, data collection practices are firmly in focus. The NCSA has offered up the following advice to help individuals and businesses become more #PrivacyAware.

NCSA privacy tips for individuals:

Protect your personal information. Personal information, such as your purchase history, IP address, and location, is valuable and can be exploited. Think carefully about the type of information you’re prepared to share, and with whom.

Keep tabs on your apps. Many apps ask for access to personal information, such as your contacts list and photos, before you can use them. Be wary of applications that require access to data which is not relevant to the service offered.

Manage your privacy settings. Check the privacy and security settings on web services and apps, and set them to your comfort level for information-sharing. The devices, apps, and browsers you use will have different features to help you maintain control.

NCSA privacy tips for businesses:

If you collect it, protect it. Make sure the personal information you gather from consumers is collected for relevant, legitimate purposes, and processed responsibly in accordance with applicable laws. Data breaches can cause financial and reputational damage to your business.

Adopt a privacy framework. Build privacy into your business by researching and adopting a privacy framework to help you manage risk and create a culture of awareness in your organisation. Educate staff to empower them to protect personal information.

Build trust through transparency. Be open and honest about how you collect, process, and manage consumers’ personal information. Be clear about the steps your organisation takes to achieve and maintain privacy in line with legislation.

Follow BUI on LinkedInFacebook, and Twitter for more data privacy tips, or contact our specialists directly to explore data-management solutions for your business.

Managed security for the modern enterprise.

Did you know that the BUI Cyber Security Operations Center is the first of its kind in Africa?

We can help you balance business productivity with robust prevention, detection, and response.

BUI secures Identity and Access Management Advanced Specialization

We’re pleased to announce that we’ve been awarded the Identity and Access Management Advanced Specialization from Microsoft in recognition of our proven expertise and experience in deploying Microsoft Identity workloads with Azure Active Directory.

Microsoft introduced the Identity and Access Management Advanced Specialization in November last year. The accreditation acknowledges Microsoft Partners who have demonstrated premier technical capabilities and the highest standards of service in delivering secure, unified access management solutions for customers.

“Identity and access management is an essential part of an effective security strategy,” explains Willem Malan, our chief technology officer. “As enterprises continue to embrace digital transformation to enable the new world of work, the ability to manage user identities and safeguard access to business assets is more important than ever before. We are committed to helping our customers leverage the full power of the Microsoft cloud to streamline and secure user access,” he says.

Remote productivity remains a key focus area for organisations around the world, especially as coronavirus protocols continue to impact the way work is done. “Enterprises are solidifying and expanding their remote-work strategies to allow not only employees, but also suppliers, vendors, and external collaborators to access corporate assets from home, or indeed wherever they are,” notes Malan. “And that means making sure their identity and access management systems are robust enough to handle the intricacies of the modern workplace,” he adds.

One of the biggest challenges for customers, continues Malan, is giving the right people the right access to the right resources – at the right time, every time. “Enterprises need to be able to control, protect, monitor, and review user access across the board, but that can be difficult without a central control plane. Microsoft’s Azure Active Directory is a richly featured platform that puts identity at the core of access management to reduce the complexity and cost of safeguarding the business environment.”

The Identity and Access Management Advanced Specialization is our newest Microsoft accreditation, and complements our existing Windows Virtual Desktop and Adoption and Change Management capabilities. “We have amplified our abilities to provide even more support to our customers with comprehensive, cloud-powered solutions to make user authentication seamless and secure,” concludes Malan.

Let’s talk about identity and access management solutions for your business.

Whether you’re just getting started on your cloud journey, or looking to modernise your identity management systems, we’re here to help.

Contact us to learn more about using Microsoft Azure Active Directory to achieve your business productivity and security goals.

BUI selected to join Microsoft Intelligent Security Association

We are pleased to announce that we have joined the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), a global ecosystem of independent software vendors and managed security service providers that have integrated their solutions to help customers better defend against a world of evolving cybersecurity threats.

MISA was launched in 2018 with 26 members. Today, just over 160 industry leaders from across the international cybersecurity spectrum work together to share threat intelligence, extend solution capabilities, and increase customer protection.

MISA membership is by invitation only. Organisations must be nominated by Microsoft, and must demonstrate integrations that support the goal of improving enterprise security. We were selected to join the association as a managed security service provider, for our NettProtect vulnerability scanning solution and turnkey add-ons to our Cyber SoC packages, as well as our Microsoft Defender for Endpoint managed service, which is geared to reinforce network security through next-generation detection, investigation, and threat-hunting.

“We are very proud to be part of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association,” says Managing Director Ryan Roseveare. “Our MISA membership not only deepens our longstanding relationship with Microsoft, but also opens the door for our specialists to collaborate with some of the top security professionals in the world. We are excited to share our expertise with our new peers. And we look forward to delivering even more value to our customers, through innovative security offerings that meet their business needs.”

The BUI Cyber Security Operations Center (Cyber SoC) integrates with Microsoft Azure Sentinel, a cloud-native, AI-based security information and event management solution, to make threat detection and response smarter and faster. The state-of-the-art facility is the first of its kind in Africa, and harnesses Microsoft security resources to monitor enterprise networks, servers, endpoints, databases, and applications.

“The success of our Cyber SoC lies in the combination of cutting-edge technology and industry-leading skills,” declares Roseveare. “We have created a compelling solution by reducing the cost and complexity of managed security services, and by giving our customers value-driven add-ons, like our Cyber SoC Panic Button for emergency assistance,” he notes.

“The Microsoft Intelligent Security Association has grown into a vibrant ecosystem comprised of the most reliable and trusted security software vendors across the globe. Our members, like BUI, share Microsoft’s commitment to collaboration within the cybersecurity community to improve our customers’ ability to predict, detect, and respond to security threats faster,” says Rani Lofstrom, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft Security.

BUI’s MISA membership follows several company milestones in 2020. Since the beginning of the year, we have achieved Microsoft Azure Expert Managed Service Provider status and attained advanced specializations in Adoption and Change Management and Windows Virtual Desktop. We have also been named Microsoft Country Partner of the Year, Microsoft Modern Workplace Partner of the Year, Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Partner of the Year, and Microsoft Security Partner of the Year.

“We are determined to help our customers strengthen their cyber defences in the face of increasingly sophisticated threats,” says Roseveare. “As part of MISA, we are now even better positioned to empower organisations to protect their assets – from identity to infrastructure, and from the edge to the cloud,” he concludes.

Explore next-generation security for the new world of work…

We can help you create the best possible defences against cybercrime.

Check out our security offers in the MISA partner catalogue to learn more.

Another first! BUI earns Windows Virtual Desktop Advanced Specialization

We are thrilled to be the first Microsoft Partner in South Africa to have earned the new Windows Virtual Desktop Advanced Specialization.

This accomplishment follows our recent accreditation as an Azure Expert Managed Services Provider, and makes BUI the only Microsoft Partner on the African continent with both Azure Expert MSP status and advanced Windows Virtual Desktop capabilities.

Introduced by Microsoft in September this year, the Windows Virtual Desktop Advanced Specialization recognises Partners with the knowledge and experience to implement, optimise, and secure virtual desktop infrastructure that allows remote end-users to access the tools they need safely and easily, on any web-enabled device.

“From the deployment of Windows Virtual Desktop environments to the management of virtual desktop infrastructure on Azure, we are helping our customers to find scalable, cost-effective solutions for their business needs,” says BUI Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Willem Malan.

“Enterprises are already looking to the future and planning for a post COVID-19 world, and we are seeing a greater emphasis on flexibility and security as stakeholders explore remote-work options for diverse employee groups,” continues Malan. “Virtual desktops enable productivity as usual, even in unusual times, and I think the demand for this kind of functionality will continue to grow as companies adapt to the changing business landscape,” he adds.

To earn the Windows Virtual Desktop Advanced Specialization, Microsoft Partners must pass a rigorous third-party audit, which Malan explains is designed to assess more than just technical aptitude.

“Our ability to facilitate a customer’s move to Windows Virtual Desktop is scrutinised and measured from every angle. This achievement is a testament to our top-line expertise as well as our proven success in delivering virtualised Windows desktops and applications that are secure, compliant, and tailored for the modern workplace,” he says.

Empowering people to work remotely – from their homes, offices, or on the go – is critical for business continuity in a changing world. The Windows Virtual Desktop solution delivered through our a2zManaged modern managed services practice offers a comprehensive, end-to-end managed virtual desktop environment, with several advantages:

  • Affordability. Reduce overall costs with pooled, multi-session resources.
  • Accessibility. Immediate access to Windows Virtual Desktop from any web-enabled device.
  • Availability. Windows Virtual Desktop is currently available for all geographic locations.
  • Flexibility. Get a fully scalable desktop virtualisation environment in your Azure subscription.
  • Security. Leverage Azure Active Directory to unlock security features like MFA and SSO.

“Microsoft Azure is an exceptionally powerful platform, and we are leveraging its versatility to help our customers reimagine business productivity. With comprehensive virtual desktop technology and a trusted partner on hand from server to screen, remote work becomes not only possible, but feasible, too,” notes Malan.

BUI is committed to supporting customers through every stage of digital transformation. “We are determined to help organisations unlock the full value of their technological investments,” declares Malan.

“Advanced specializations like this one, alongside our complementary abilities in Adoption and Change Management, position us to deliver tailormade solutions that enable business teams to thrive in the new world of work,” he concludes.

Need help creating a secure remote-work environment for your team?

Our specialists can enable, manage, and support your Windows Virtual Desktop environment – from the server to the screen.

Download our Windows Virtual Desktop brochure for more information on cloud-driven productivity solutions for the modern workplace.