“If you nurture your mind, like you water a seed, you can grow as powerful and successful as a giant tree”
Dirk Botma took the opportunity to nurture his mind. He enrolled at CTU Bloemfontein in 2007 and completed his studies in Database Administrator. Not only did Dirk have an opportunity to grow and develop in an educational way but also in a social way. Dirk Botma enjoyed every moment of student life. This helped transform him into a much more secure and comfortable being. But CTU also molded him in a successful, professional Engineer.
He is now part of the permanent staff of Advocate Solutions. Advocate Solutions an entrepreneurial initiative was established in 1997, with primary focus to be a leading Independent Service Provider, offering IT turnkey solutions to both Public and Private sector. The JSE listed Simeka Business Group acquired Advocate Solutions during 2006 as its Service Solutions provider. Their focus areas are primarily OEM On-Site Warranty Support and traditional 3rd Party Maintenance and support services. Managed Services are offered to companies in the SME and Medium enterprise space. Their business methodology is based on a collaborative approach and their skills base ranges from Notebooks, Desktops and servers, LANs and WANs, back office and front office, to security, Hardware and Software support.
They are therefore extremely well positioned to provide true end-to-end expert advice in translating IT-related business problems into innovative solutions and to provide the means to truly deliver peace of mind. Advocate Solutions has the ability to provide customized solutions to meet the client’s unique IT support and 3rd party or warranty maintenance needs, setting the company apart in an increasingly competitive and price sensitive marketplace.
Advocate Solutions is 100% owned by MICT, who is 100% owned by Simeka BG, a JSE Listed company. EmexTrust has conducted the BEE rating for the entire Simeka Business Group and it was awarded a Level Two (2) Contributor status. Advocate Solutions have offices in all the major centers. The current headcount consist of 76 permanent staff members, plus additional points of presence have been established via the collaboration with 27 additional regional partners to broaden the service offering and National footprint. Areas of specialization are as follows, but the overall Service Solution offering is not limited to only these areas. • Network and infrastructure maintenance and support • On-site or remote-Server and desktop maintenance support services • Warranty support services to the OEM sector. • Help desk support services • IMAC and Project services which includes – Installations(hardware and software), equipment audits and relocations • Project Management (Prince 2 Methodology) • Resource management and recruitment The technical support staffs are trained individuals with the required skills and accreditations, to deliver on the services provided to the existing and potential new Client base. The entry level technical staff has a minimum of an A+ and N+ qualifications. Qualifications vary from MCP, MCSE, MCDST’s, Systems Engineers specializing in the support of Microsoft Software applications (Server, desktop and security), Linux, Novell, SAP and Wireless infrastructure solutions. Advocate has been awarded Microsoft Gold partner status and is also accredited to deliver services to OEM’s like Axiz, Acer and Sahara to name but a few.
Dirk is a Senior Support Engineer with Advocate Solutions. He is currently busy with the ACER EUROPE contract, as well as with the Department of Justice and many other projects. Advocate Solutions couldn’t be more proud of their highly successful, hard working Support Engineer. He really has shown that
“Knowledge is your key to power and success”