Feb 2nd, 2011

Spescom DataFusion’s national operations manager, Louise van Zyl, has been appointed as Vice President of the South African chapter of the International Avaya User Group (IAUG). The user group provides a forum for Avaya users to directly address the vendor, as well as act as a knowledge store and provide a platform for users to network and discuss challenges and wins.

Van Zyl joined Spescom in 2008 in a sales position and was subsequently appointed as national operations manager. She has extensive experience in business operations as well as client services.

Says Van Zyl: “Avaya purchased the Nortel enterprise communications business about a year ago and has launched the Avaya user group on the back of the existing Nortel user group.  As an Avaya Platinum Partner, Spescom DataFusion believes this will be of enormous benefit to Avaya users as it provides a means for them to gain greater insight into the functionality and capability of the Avaya solutions that they use.”

The Avaya user group will offer events, conferences, and information and networking opportunities to users of the solutions set. “In essence, the role of the Avaya user group, which is member funded and user-led, will be to assist users to get the full benefits of the functionality of Avaya’s solutions. The user group will also act as a broker between the user and Avaya,” she notes.

Members will comprise Avaya service providers, but also business decision makers and technology experts from the Avaya user base. “Possibly one of the best ways to learn about a solution is to listen to the successes and tribulations of others using the same platform,” says Van Zyl. “I would strongly encourage all Avaya users to register and take part. The more members we can gather together the more opportunity there will be to understand the product’s capabilities and make better use of it – to the benefit of the business.”

While Spescom DataFusion is delighted with the appointment, given their Avaya Platinum Partner status, Van Zyl emphasises that her role in the Avaya user group will be unbiased: “In this position, I first and foremost represent the interests of Avaya user group members,” she notes.