The question might seem irrelevant given the access we have to information through various online search mediums. However, INFORMATION APPLICABILITY is important to cut down on time to research and quality-check articles. Specific research covering industries, business and technology trends, vendors, and innovative or maverick thinking is becoming more and more valuable in our busy schedules. Research that helps to steer our course and plan our strategies – while offering broader business direction to enable integration of succinct selected information – is key to creating context for our specific businesses. The right research partner makes the difference. Peter du Plooy, CIO, Financial Services, Engen

I DON’T BELIEVE global research is relevant to the local market or to the rest of Africa. We’re faced with very specific challenges here. While international research is a good dipstick for global trends, it holds little value for us regarding what is really happening on the ground, and how we can address this. Uwe Brandkamp, regional sales director, Westcon-Comztek