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SAB owner-driver programme to empower SA truck drivers

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South African Breweries’ (SAB) owner-driver programme, in collaboration with Wesbank and Man trucks, is set to handover over six trucks to its beneficiaries. The programme will see drivers lease and operate their own trucks to distribute SAB’s products from its various depots to retail outlets.
Image source:

Image source: Gallo/Getty

Sab aims to empower and equips entrepreneurs with vital business skills, access to finance geared to build and create sustainable businesses that grow their communities.

“Owning and running an effective truck business needs a strong understanding and knowledge of company costs, attending to strict vehicle maintenance and quality controls and intensive preparation for the various expenses necessary to run a transport business like mine,” says truck recipient, Gift Sithole. “Fortunately, the learnership programme I went through with SAB, prepared, and equipped me with logistics, financial and people skills to help manage and grow my business.”

Creating sustainable businesses

Sphe Vundla, corporate brand director, says: “A thriving SMME sector, powered by entrepreneurship and partnerships is central to the growth of the economy. We believe that through innovating the alcohol supply chain with initiatives such as the owner-driver programme, SAB has and will continue to positively impact the lives of individuals and communities across the country.”

N1 to close for geotechnical investigation, sinkhole rehabilitation

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Road users travelling southwards toward Johannesburg can expect road closures to allow for geotechnical investigations required for the rehabilitation of the N1 sinkhole near the Flying Saucer Interchange in Centurion, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited’s (Sanral) says. These investigations are required to complete the design of the remedial works required for the rehabilitation of the sinkhole to promote road safety and to allow for traffic to return to normal.
Image source:

Image source: Gallo/Getty

These investigations are required to complete the design of the remedial works required for the rehabilitation of the sinkhole to promote road safety and to allow for traffic to return to normal.

According to Progress Hlahla, Sanral northern region manager, the roads agency became aware of the sinkhole at the beginning of January and has since made efforts to prioritise the safety of all road users, including closing off affected lanes immediately, redirecting traffic and alerting the public on the situation.

“We have planned for further investigations of the N1 sinkhole from 6 February 2022. As a result, we will need to close the N1 Southbound between the Flying Saucer Interchange and Botha Avenue on N1/R21 from 11pm on Sunday, 6 February 2022 until 4am on Monday, 7 February 2022. Only one lane will be open during this period,” said Hlahla.

The closure is required for gravity survey testing taking place in the fast lanes of the southbound carriageway as part of the geotechnical investigations required for the remediation works on the sinkhole.

The duration of the closure will be kept as short as possible to avoid any further disruptions.

Motorist travelling southwards towards Johannesburg may consider using the following alternative routes:

• From Polokwane, offramp at Proefplaas Interchange (145) towards Pretoria CBD using the N4/M2 and join the M3 towards Fountains and join the N14.

From OR Tambo International airport, continue on the R21 towards Fountain circle and join the N14

“Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes and use caution when making use of the roads,” said Hlahla.

How fleet managers can keep their trucks and cargo safe on SA roads

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Truck hijackings in South Africa continue to affect the country’s economy. These crimes have been on the rise for some years now, with Police Minister Bheki Cele reporting one of the most considerable increases (31.7%) in truck hijackings just over a year ago.
Source: ©Taina Sohlman via

Source: ©Taina Sohlman via 123RF

Arrive Alive outlines several factors to help reduce the risk of hijackings, including the importance of drivers communicating with the control room and exercising caution when making unscheduled stops.

Here are some additional measures that fleet managers can implement to improve the security of their trucks and cargo.

Protect high-risk cargo

Cargo is at its most vulnerable when it’s in transit on the road because of the countless unsafe parking spots along its route and the time it takes to get it from one point to another. As a result, crime syndicates may attempt to steal it from a stationary or moving vehicle or hijack the truck carrying it.

SAB’s Road Safety Campaign promotes responsible consumption ahead of Easter

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Ahead of the April holiday season, the South African Breweries (SAB) has reiterated its commitment to driving a culture of responsible consumption in South Africa with several initiatives and activities planned across South Africa in partnership with government.
Source:

From the handing out of care packages to keep motorists energised, to road safety shows, to driver wellness centres, SAB is steadfast in its belief that safe roads are filled with responsible drivers.

Sphe Vundla, brand director for SAB Corporate, says, “We believe that when you drink, you should never drive, but there are other dangers present on our roads. Especially during the holidays. Now that the state of disaster has been dismantled, we have to be extra vigilant to keep our roads safe.”

This comes after SAB launched its own evidence-based responsible consumption platform. Through SAB Sharp, the brewer is able to tackle irresponsible behaviours associated with the overconsumption of alcohol with responsible driving being chief among them.

“With the impetus of Sharp at our backs, responsible driving has always been a key metric for us. When we launched Sharp, we set ourselves a goal of reducing alcohol-related road incidents and fatalities by 10%,” says Vundla.

Anchoring SAB’s efforts to reach this target is the creation and utilisation of Alcohol Evidence Centres (AEC). With a 10th AEC set to be handed over to provincial authorities in Dube, Soweto during the course of the year.

Over the years, these centres have become crucial in helping law enforcement test suspected drunk drivers and confirm their breath or blood alcohol limit using Evidentiary Breathalyser Alcohol Testing (EBAT) and registered medical practitioners. Following that, the AECs are all fully equipped to also ensure the evidence is properly collected and made admissible in court.

Live Sharp. Drive Sharp. Sell Sharp. Talk Sharp

With SAB Sharp targets in mind, and in partnership with the National Department of Transport and relevant provincial authorities, SAB has initiated and facilitated several initiatives in all corners of the country.

In the Western and Eastern Cape, care packages filled with snacks, water and an energy bar are going to be handed out to long-distance taxi drivers and motorists to help them keep hydrated and energised. These will be distributed at specific roadblocks set up on the provincial border between Beaufort West and Aberdeen.

In Gauteng, SAB, along with SAPS and JMPD will be hosting several road safety shows across the province as well as the Rand Easter Show.In KwaZulu-Natal, Driver Wellness Education points will be set up on 14 and 15 April at Caribbean Estate in Ugu District and Shel Midway in Escourt, respectively. “The main aim of these is to create awareness and provide information on the devastating impact of alcohol abuse on our roads during the Easter season and beyond,” says Vundla.

Vundla believes the key to creating a national sense of responsibility lies in partnerships. “As corporates, it is our duty to collaborate with government and civil society as we work towards a shared purpose of nurturing a more responsible and thriving society. For us, that means driving responsible drinking, especially on our roads during the holidays.”

Ctrack Index records strong first quarter

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The Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (Ctrack TFI) has recorded a strong first quarter, thanks mostly to the increases in road freight. In addition, the Ctrack TFI has increased by 13% year-on-year despite higher fuel prices and ongoing pricing pressure from all sectors. “Not many economists expected the first quarter of 2022 to be as robust as it has been, but along with vehicle sales and the Manufacturing Purchasing Manager Index, the economy exhibits strong overall growth,” says Hein Jordt, chief executive officer of Ctrack Africa.
Image source:

Image source: Gallo/Getty

Experts do warn that global factors such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, which continues to drive up food prices and the shut down of major economic hubs such as China due to Covid-19, will once again disrupt the supply chain just as it was starting to normalise.

Fortunately, bulk shipping prices have declined to levels last seen before the supply chain disruption. While container prices remain inflated, these increases have slowed.

The March numbers reveal that the overall Index improved on both a monthly and a quarterly basis. The 12,8% monthly increase is the fastest increase for the Ctrack TFI since early 2015 if one disregards the bounce from the extremely weak pandemic volumes during the hard lockdown.

The improvements can mostly be attributed to the global supply chain normalisation. In addition, Road Freight was once again a major contributor to the overall growth.

All sectors improve for the first time since June 2021

Road freight increased by 20,5% on a year on year basis, the strongest growth in normal times since the inception of the Index. Rail Freight increased by 1,5%, which reveals that internal demand in South Africa is a lot more robust than previously thought.

Last month we investigated the impact that retail customer orders have on the fast-growing courier and home delivery sector. To a large extent, the continued growth in the Road Freight sector is driven by this rising home delivery and online shopping trend, which is clearly changing the way we live and how we interact with others.

The one very weak sector that has continuously declined, rail, had a great month and quarter, which could indicate that the worst of the decline is over. In all likelihood, the floods in April will cause havoc in this sector, but the growth is welcomed for the moment.

The storage sector grew by 7,9%, which can be attributed to international containers being offloaded in our harbours for more extended periods than what was previously the norm.

Thanks to the recovery of the global supply chain, both the Sea and Air Freight sectors have been growing. Europe’s increased need for bulk commodities from China is likely to positively impact Sea Freight from South Africa.

According to the International Air Transport Association (Iata), air transport via specialised freighter aircraft has almost recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Further growth is being hampered by the fact that passenger flight,,t schedules are yet to return to normal capacity. Currently, these aircraft, which carry freight below the deck, are only carrying a third of the capacity that they used to.

It can be expected that air freight will continue to increase as the international travel industry returns to normal levels in the next year or so.

Ctrack TFI linked to GDP growth

It is a well-known fact that in most countries, the transport industry and the countries’ GDP are closely linked. Similarly, the Ctrack Transport and Freight Index is linked to the South African GDP.

With this in mind, we believe that the 1st quarter GDP number will be robust, which should help the country’s growth in 2022. Transport numbers locally give a real indication of the economic activity, and it is expected that during 2022 we can expect growth of between 2,5 and 3%.

As measured by the Index, with the transport industry reporting good growth for the first quarter of 2022, the South African economy could have a better than expected year. However, this hinges on the effects of the recent floods in coastal areas and further price increases, which could hurt consumer and business confidence.

“With ongoing global and local challenges, the fact that the transport industry managed to show growth is proof of the resilience of the South African business environment and bodes well for the continued growth of the South African economy,” concludes Jordt.

C-Track

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Ctrack is a proudly South African supplier of Vehicle Telematics, Fleet Management and Insurance Telematics Solutions. Ctrack is in the business of keeping vehicles, fleets and their occupants Always Visible.
With over 35 years’ experience, a stolen vehicle recovery rate of over 95% and continuous investment in research and development, Ctrack is committed to making sure your vehicle or fleet is Always Visible.
Ctrack’s products provide safety and security for car owners and their families, control and cost savings for businesses and a wealth of fleet analytics for informed decision making for large enterprises.

Solution Options:
Iris Camera Solution
Front-Back-Side facing camera options.
Government, Local Authorities & Municipalities
The real-time monitoring system that optimises the productivity & efficiency of both your vehicles and your staff.
Supply Chain & Logistics
When time is of the essence, the essence is 24/7 tracking & monitoring.
Mining
Ensuring driver safety through remote vehicle and operator monitoring.
Ctrack Crystal
Innovation in the palm of your hands that generates precision data on operational vehicles and assets for quick and accurate decisions for your business.
Police & Security
The real-time vehicle monitoring & fleet management system that ensures better response times.
Yellow Equipment
Offering tailored solutions for yellow equipment tracking, monitoring & management of standing & idling times.
Airports
Keeping track of your airport support equipment.
Agri Solutions
Helping farmers save on costs and improve performance through better planning & decision making regardless of crop type, farm or fleet size.
Ctrack Bureau Service
Ctrack Bureau Service reduce your administration efforts and outsource your Fleet reporting and Control to our 24/7/365 service. More eyes on screen, saving you time and reduce risk.
Fixed Plants
Real-time protection for assets on remote sites.

How technology is enabling EMS providers to save more lives while supporting paramedics

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How technology is enabling EMS providers to save more lives while supporting paramedics

 

By Justin Manson, Sales Director at Webfleet Solutions 

South Africa’s emergency medical services (EMS) is in its own state of emergency: the country only had 1,971 state-run ambulances on the road in 2018. Three years later, reports reveal that as many as 350 Gauteng ambulances are out of action due to accidents and only 40 state-owned ambulances are in operation in the City of Johannesburg, adding to the country’s challenge of meeting the growing demand for emergency medical care. 

 

The growing need to protect EMS personnel and patients– Paramedics and other EMS personnel face a number of challenges in carrying out their critical services. They are often required to put their own personal safety at risk, and bravely face a wide array of scenarios in order to help those in need. For example, the unrest in July not only affected vaccine rollout efforts but also disrupted access to essential healthcare services and chronic medicationssuch as those for TB, diabetes, and HIV. This placed additional pressure on the already limited number of ambulances in the country.

This is in addition to road infrastructure obstacles across our country’s regions, and striving to ensure they are making the most efficient use of their limited resources to help as many of our citizens as possible.

 

The role of technology in the EMS sector– Netcare 911’s 24-hour national emergency operation centre (EOC), the single point of access to the full range of pre-hospital medical assistance services offered by its network, receives an average of 55 000 national and international calls per month and relies on GPS data and an emergency resource management centre to assign a vehicle to the emergency as quickly as possible. 

To protect paramedics operating in dangerous red zone locations, the Western Cape implemented a call-taking and dispatch solution that routes emergency calls to a dedicated dispatcher who captures the location and other details of the emergency using an intuitive map. The dispatcher can then alert the responding ambulance if it needs to enter a red zone, and geo-mapping technology can help to ensure that high-risk areas are avoided wherever possible.

 

These are just a few examples of the immense pressure the country’s EMS industry is under to not only reduce response times but also protect paramedics through effective communication and route planning. 

 

Telematics a powerful tool for SA’s EMS– The industry is seeing even more solutions being tailored to emergency services, allowing EMS providers like Life Employee Health Solutions and Maponya 911 Rescue to use technology, like telematics, to shorten response times and protect paramedics in the field. 

 

This advanced technology enables dispatchers to identify the closest ambulance to an emergency, get a detailed view of its location, and determine whether or not the ambulance operator is on duty – streamlining EMS operations, even when operating with limited vehicles. A real-time view of a vehicle’s location also allows dispatchers to assure callers and patients that an ambulance is on its way. Additionally, they can see if an ambulance arrived at its intended destination and send assistance if it hasn’t.

 

Integrating telematics devices in ambulances allows drivers to stay in touch with the dispatcher and relay real-time updates about a call out. These devices also come with voice control, leaving first responders to focus on the road and arrive quickly and safely at their destination by avoiding traffic and detours.

 

Emergency responders often need to drive assertively through traffic to respond to patients on time, balancing their own safety with the needs of the patients waiting for them. Thankfully, the data collected by telematics isn’t limited to tracking. Dispatchers can also use it to reconstruct the events leading up to an accident and retrieve critical information required during an accident investigation.

 

Telematics solutions have a proven track record of streamlining fleet operations and promoting safer driving conditions across industries, and this includes the essential EMS fleets operating in South

Entrepreneurs looking at setting up a car or truck wash

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Entrepreneurs looking at setting up a car or truck wash

 

What accessories should you consider? An industry insider shares advice for a successful washing business

 

In the second part of a two-part series, Hawk Pumps, manufacturers and distributors of quality high-pressure pumping equipment, shares insights into what to consider when setting up a car or truck wash – assisting entrepreneurs and start-ups on their road to success.

 

“Quality accessories and informed decisions are essential when setting up a car or truck wash, as ill-advised purchases can lead to costly mistakes,” says Melanie Mokawem, CEO of Hawk Pumps.

 

High-pressure gun and lance – Hawk pressure washers come standard with a 900mm lance. 

When cleaning a car, the lance should not be too long, around 500mm. The longer the lance, the further you will have to stand and if your wash bay is enclosed, there may not be sufficient space for this.

 

For truck washing, longer lances are preferred to reach further up the vehicle without having to over-stretch or the operator having to stand on a ladder or raised platform.

 

Nozzles should be of the flat 15° fan type. The lance should have a good rubber nozzle protector fitted to allow the spray to be easily directed under wheel arches without scratching the paint with the nozzle. 

 

Hoses, booms, reels & tidies – Most high-pressure washers come standard with 10m of 2-wire hose. If you require a longer length, you must state this when ordering your unit. 

The hose must be looked after; if it is left lying on the floor and driven over, the wire in the hose will eventually be compromised, and the hose will leak. Furthermore, moving around the vehicle could result in the hose dragging on the floor and possibly banging against the vehicle, causing scratches and marks. To prevent this, overhead booms are ideal for easily moving around the vehicle and protecting the hose. 

These are available in single or double hose versions. Where a separate foaming gun is used, a double boom is preferred. Alternatively, a range of live hose reels or tidies is available to store the hose off the floor conveniently.

 

Foaming accessories – Foaming equipment is an effective way to apply detergent for de-greasing. The thicker the foam, the longer the active ingredients will have to do their job. The thickness of the foam will depend on the method you use, and the method you use will depend on budget and preference.

That being said, car washes and truck washes prefer a short turn-around time for cleaning each vehicle. Spending money on expensive foaming equipment isn’t necessary, especially if you are using a good quality foaming chemical.

Available options are:

  • Foaming bottle set-up – is the most cost-effective and popular with car washes
  • Chemical injector with a foaming lance – The chemical injector sucks up a metered amount of soap and sprays it out through a foaming lance. This delivers a very wet foam which runs off the vehicle quickly.
  • Wall-mounted chemical injector – A wall-mounted foam generator delivers a lot of thick foam. However, it requires an air compressor and can be pretty costly.

 

Under-carriage Whirl-A-Way – Some locations require the underside of a truck to be clean before they are allowed onto the property, e.g., at ports and certain mines. Truck washes servicing these trucks find the Under-carriage Whirl-A-Way a quick and effective way of performing this operation.

 

HotBox – The Hawk HotBox is an accessory that converts to a hot water unit when connected to any standard high-pressure washer. Some truck washes require hot water for the cleaning to be more effective. 

The advantage of the HotBox over having a hot water unit is that the HotBox can used by multiple users. If the HotBox needs a service, the high-pressure washer still operates as a cold-water washer.

 

Industrial Vacuum Cleaner – A good quality wet and dry industrial vacuum cleaner should be used for cleaning the inside of the vehicle. 

It is always vital to empty the drum and clean the filters. It is also recommended that you have spare filters on hand so that if you wash one in the cleaner, you have another to use whilst it dries.

 

Hawk’s Modular System – Hawk offers high-pressure cleaners with a wide range of accessories available so that customers can customise the pressure washer and build onto the system as their needs demands or budget allows.

Firestone FD833 and FS833 tyres now made for South African road conditions

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Firestone FD833 and FS833 tyres now made for South African road conditions

 

Bridgestone Southern Africa has announced that its Firestone FD833 and FS833 truck and bus radial tyres that were previously imported are now fully manufactured at its manufacturing facility in Brits, Northwest. 

 

The move is in line with Bridgestone’s strategy of “localising” some of its products in line with South African conditions, says Dries Venter, Technical Manager, Bridgestone Southern Africa. “We began importing these tyres from Europe two years ago. After trials, we identified and made design improvements that would make the tyres better suited for South African road conditions. Our European R&D labs supported with creating a compound that provides higher resistance to cuts and chips,” he says.

 

Venter says that the Firestone FD833 and FS833 tyres have several advantages over cheaper second and third-tier competitors. The tougher material means that the tyres last longer, even on our bad roads, which means that they need to be replaced less frequently. Their tread design also provides excellent traction and are self-cleaning for consistent performance. Another major plus is that the sturdy construction means that the tyre can be retreaded at least twice—in fact, the Firestone FD833 and FS833 tyres come with a casing confidence pledge guaranteeing this. 

 

“Local manufacturing is a big plus because it helps protect local jobs and contributes to increasing the country’s gross domestic product—especially as these tyres are also exported to other markets in the region,” says Venter. “From a sustainability point of view, the longer life of the tyre plus its retreadibility are major pluses because they reduce the amount of waste going into landfill. At the same time, Bridgestone is pursuing a strategy making its tyres more recyclable – and fuel efficient. The lighter tyres also contribute to reducing the impact on the environment.”

Ensuring Black Friday doesn’t accidentally put your business in the ‘red’

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Ensuring Black Friday doesn’t accidentally put your business in the ‘red’

 

Opinion piece: by Tennille Bell, General Manager: Sales at Programmed Process Outsourcing (PPO)

  

Black Friday has become a global shopping phenomenon, characterised by an annual spending spree by shoppers on the fourth Friday of November, with some retailers extending to Cyber Monday, and others even running month-long special deals. While physical brick-and-mortar and eCommerce stores are considered ‘front-end’ for shoppers, there’s a frenzy of back-end activities that need to take place in order to meet the surge in consumer demand accurately, timeously and efficiently. 

 

For South African businesses to truly take advantage of the shopping frenzy and make a success of the event, they need to ensure that their entire supply chain is geared to handle the seasonal spike. Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) can be the answer. A BPO model is accessible to businesses large and small. It is a cost-effective and scalable means of guaranteeing the necessary behind-the-scenes service and productivity to ensure an experience that meets customer expectations while increasing loyalty and keeping businesses in the black. 

 

From the US to SA – Taking place the day after Thanksgiving in the USA, Black Friday was conceptualised to give businesses the chance to move “out of the red” and “into the black” – to turn a profit. Many other countries followed America’s example, launching their own Black Friday sales. According to a GeoPoll survey, 76% of South Africans reported participating in Black Friday shopping in 2019, which jumped from 64% the year before. 2019 also saw a number of SA retailers promoting not just Black Friday, but a week or even a full month of “Black November” specials.

 

In 2020, the pandemic interrupted every aspect of life as we knew it, and Black Friday spending was, accordingly, very lowkey. However, in 2021, Black Friday sales showed promising signs of recovery. Despite a lockdown still being in effect, there was a 120% increase in spend on electronics, with banking giant FNB reporting that its cardholders spent a whopping R2.5 billion on the day, and payment gateway PayFast reporting a 34% increase in transactions.

 

South African reality – Practically speaking, Black Friday is the start of the year-end festive buying, as many consumers start shopping for holiday gifts in November. As much as businesses want to jump on the Black Friday/Cyber Monday bandwagon, a fine balancing act needs to be achieved. While it might be great to sell out in November, it’s important for businesses to have stock that can carry them through the Christmas rush and Back to School periods. No use selling out at discounted prices in November and not being able to turn a profit for the rest of the year. 

 

Underprepared and overwhelmed – Many South African businesses that choose to participate in the Black Friday/Cyber Monday period underestimate the massive shift in buying behaviour that takes place. It requires a massive increase in productivity and performance, which entails additional resources to cope with the extra load. All of which is a massive ask for the management team of any business, who then has to ready an additional staffing complement and train them up to the required standard. Needing more hands-on deck then puts additional strain on other aspects of the business – from HR to finance. Every department or business function of the organisation is impacted.

 

Think carefully and be realistic – The decision to partake in Black Friday/Cyber Monday is not one that should be taken lightly. Businesses need to ask themselves “What’s the worst that can happen?” and then take those scenarios seriously. The worst that can happen is that staff cannot cope with meeting the additional demand. From there, it’s all a ripple effect. If customers experience any delay in their orders, there is the risk of reputational harm. An increase in pressure and stress for staff leads to an increase in absenteeism, which further negatively affects operations.  

 

It’s also important for businesses to be realistic in what they can expect from their own staff, and what is achievable given their own infrastructure. For example, in a warehouse with only 20 confirmation tables – the physical space where orders go to be checked before they’re sent out to customers, it is only physically possible to confirm 20 orders at any given time, which can lead to a backlog in tasks, which then affects the remainder of the productivity chain and then compounds as tomorrow’s problem. 

 

Outsourcing for success – This is where a BPO partner can make the difference between a business being in the black or plummeting into the red. Wherever the business requires additional resources, a BPO provider has access to a wide pool of fully trained workers across the entire value chain, that can step in and augment any given business process in the commerce space. These can be allocated and deployed into the business as needed, and because they’re paid on a per-unit basis, their productivity is guaranteed for the period that they are required. There is no productivity lost in training, nor is there any additional strain on any other business function, as the BPO provider handles payroll, human resources, industrial relations and all aspects of employment relating to the workers required to meet fluctuating customer demands. 

 

It’s not just about increasing headcount to handle the extra load. It’s about having properly trained resources available to boost productivity and meet customer demands. This contributes to a consistent customer experience that fosters brand credibility and customer loyalty. BPO assists in improving efficiencies and effectiveness through reducing and eliminating waste, decreasing operational costs and most importantly increasing profits. For this to happen, businesses must choose their partner carefully – only a compliant, results-driven BPO partner whose focus is on boosting productivity and streamlining operations can give retail and ecommerce businesses the flexibility and performance they need to come out tops this Black Friday.