Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 35 | Page 7

NEWS Routed achieves Africa’s first VMware Cloud Verified Status R outed, a vendor-neutral cloud infrastructure provider, has achieved VMware Cloud Verified Status. As the first company on the African continent to attain this status, Routed will be among an elite group of highly skilled providers with the ability to operate at this high level of cloud certification. From left to right: Dave Funnell (VMware), Andrew Cruise (Routed) and Guy Bartram (VMware) The Cloud Verified badge signals to customers that Routed offers a service running on top of the complete VMware Cloud infrastructure. Through Cloud Verified partner services, customers attain access to the full set of VMware Cloud Infrastructure capabilities including integration and interoperability, cost optimisation and flexibility. Andrew Cruise, Managing Director, Routed, says that being cloud verified by one of the global cloud leaders such as VMware is a career highlight. “We have watched as the cloud foundations were being built over the past four years and as we head into 2020, it is clear that the cloud-surge will continue, albeit cautiously, and Africa will continue to be a significant player within the global cloud sector,” he said. “To work closely with VMware brings significant strength to the Routed offering. We are delighted to reach this milestone first and look forward to being an active participant in the developing cloud sector across the African continent.” ///////////////// SAP Concur introduces the Future CFO Forum B y 2020, close to 40% of accounting transactions could be performed by machines. The role and responsibilities of today’s CFO is evolving and to support this new vision, SAP Concur has introduced the Future CFO Forum. Packed with interesting and engaging information developed to inspire and inform tomorrow’s tech-savvy finance experts, the Future CFO Forum is an industry platform for finance professionals. The Forum explores local African success stories and provides insights and learnings, creatively packaged with events, awards, podcasts and articles across digital and print platforms. “Some of the most exciting and dynamic work within companies is happening right now in the tech and finance space,” said Angelique Montalto, Regional Director for SAP Concur Africa. “Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Chatbots with cloud and mobile tech to enable compliant and efficient spend, are just a few examples www.intelligentcio.com our finance experts’ need to understand and adopt to fast track their roles. “Our CFOs need to be ready and fully equipped for tomorrow’s demands. They must build to lead, and it’s no longer enough to play the traditional finance role. The SAP Concur Future CFO Forum is a unique and modern platform that not only provides support and guidance but also facilitates debate, open expression and a fundamental contribution from Africa’s top finance experts as they catapult into tomorrow’s changing world.” INTELLIGENTCIO 7