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“Building Smarter Cities: Huawei and Mustek Powering the Future of Urban Innovation”

Cities around the world face a multitude of issues, from population growth and economic challenges to the need to keep pace with technological innovation.

02 December 2024

Romario Abrahams, Huawei Enterprise Business Group, Partner Account Manager, Western Cape

Cities around the world face a multitude of issues, from population growth and economic challenges to the need to keep pace with technological innovation. The expansion of high-speed internet access and the rise of cloud computing have opened new possibilities for implementing Smart City initiatives, which connect disparate operations and break down siloed processes. With its end-to-end technology solutions, Huawei is ideally positioned to assist municipalities and national governments in developing and implementing these initiatives to address their most pressing challenges.

Romario Abrahams, Huawei Enterprise Business Group partner account manager for the Western Cape, highlights that South Africa still faces significant gaps in digitization compared to developed nations. However, Huawei sees these gaps as opportunities to support various sectors in the country on their journey toward becoming truly smart. “Huawei has smart solutions tailored to key industries, including financial services, education, retail, and mining. It’s essential that we address the unique challenges these sectors face, using our robust research and development (R&D) capabilities to create solutions that deliver tangible results,” he says.

Abrahams emphasizes that the smart solutions Huawei develops are specific to the industries they serve. For instance, in the financial services sector, compliance and security are paramount, requiring high-speed access, storage depth, and automation solutions to ensure critical information is both easily retrievable and secure.

Smart Solutions Across Industries

In the retail sector, the needs are entirely different. Retailers require zero-touch approaches, a holistic view of store environments, seamless transaction processes, and automation solutions that can handle inventory management. These challenges can often be addressed through the implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

“On the education front,” Abrahams explains, “what is needed are accessible and interactive learning aids that enable students to learn in the ways that suit them best. Collaboration technologies play a pivotal role in making education smarter. These include solutions that enable teachers to engage with digital whiteboards and ensure that students interact meaningfully with the learning materials.”

Dawid Naude, Huawei Line of Business Manager, Mustek

Mining, another critical sector in South Africa, requires smart solutions such as asset tracking and process automation. This includes real-time collection, monitoring, and analytics of equipment running data, enabling smart operations and predictive maintenance. The integration of intelligent equipment with remote and automated control also reduces the need for on-field workforce presence, thereby enhancing safety in mining operations. Abrahams notes that many South African cities are already making strides toward smarter operations with the implementation of high-speed fibre, which acts as the backbone for internet access and other smart solutions. High-speed internet enables a wide range of deliverables, whether for commercial enterprises, public sector organizations, or individual households.

“Network access is followed by the implementation of smart automation and IoT systems. These form the foundation for smart public transport systems, such as digitized trains and airports, as well as the digitization of previously manual processes,” he explains.

Local Partnerships Driving Change

Dawid Naude, Huawei line of business manager at Mustek, underscores the importance of Huawei’s partnership with local organizations to ensure the successful deployment of these smart solutions. Mustek, Huawei’s first distribution partner in the region, has embedded Huawei’s technology and innovation deeply into its business operations.

“You could say that Huawei’s advanced solutions are part of our DNA,” Naude says. “For more than 15 years, Mustek has been at the forefront of distributing Huawei’s state-of-the-art technology in South Africa. This longstanding relationship is built on trust, shared goals, and a dedication to advancing the digital landscape.” Mustek’s extensive national presence enables it to bring Huawei’s innovations, such as smart city solutions, to businesses across South Africa, ensuring reliable, on-the-ground support in every region. Naude adds that this localized approach allows Mustek to tailor its services to the specific needs of different areas, enhancing accessibility and customer satisfaction.

“Mustek’s teams are equipped with in-house certifications and technical expertise, which ensures a seamless experience across all Huawei products,” he says. “From networking and cloud solutions to smart collaboration tools, we provide end-to-end support from procurement to implementation.”

R&D: The Heart of Innovation

Abrahams explains that the cornerstone of Huawei’s success lies in its unwavering commitment to R&D. Globally, Huawei ranks fifth in the world for the percentage of revenue allocated to R&D, with 55% of its workforce dedicated to this area.

“Whatever the challenges faced by a smart solution – whether for a city, a mine, a business, or a home – it requires highly specific and targeted R&D. Huawei’s approach is to deeply understand the pain points our customers face and to undertake the necessary research to create accessible, innovative hardware tailored to those environments,” Abrahams says.

This commitment to innovation is reflected in Huawei’s ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions that not only address current needs but also anticipate future challenges. For example, the company’s work in AI-driven analytics is revolutionizing industries by providing real-time insights and enabling smarter decision making. In education, Huawei’s investments in AI are helping to create adaptive learning platforms that can personalize education for each student, ensuring better outcomes and engagement.

The Future of Smart Cities and Beyond

As South Africa continues its journey toward becoming smarter and more connected, Huawei’s role extends far beyond providing technology. The company’s vision is to create a sustainable, inclusive digital future that empowers communities, enhances efficiency, and improves the quality of life for all. By fostering collaborations with partners like Mustek and maintaining a relentless focus on innovation, Huawei ensures that no challenge is insurmountable.

“Smart technologies are not just about solving immediate problems; they are about building a foundation for long-term success and sustainability,” Abrahams concludes. “Our solutions are designed to grow with our customers, ensuring they remain competitive and relevant in a rapidly evolving world.”

This philosophy is evident in Huawei’s holistic approach to smart solutions, which integrates advanced technologies like IoT, AI, and cloud computing with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by each industry. Whether it is automating processes in mining, enabling interactive learning in schools, or creating seamless retail environments, Huawei’s solutions are designed to deliver real-world impact.

In a world where connectivity and smart solutions are increasingly becoming the norm, Huawei stands out as a leader and innovator. Its ability to combine cutting-edge technology with a customer-first approach has positioned the company as a key player in driving digital transformation across South Africa. As cities and industries look to the future, Huawei’s vision of a smarter, more sustainable world ensures that its impact will be felt for generations to come.

To learn more or to sign up as a Huawei Partner contact huaweisales@mustek.co.za