The Aurum Institute, a leading African non-profit organisation advancing health through research and systems innovation, has marked over 10 years of strategic ICT collaboration with hybrid IT systems integrator and managed services provider, Datacentrix.
This enduring partnership has underpinned Aurum’s digital resilience, from navigating the Covid-19 crisis with rapid cloud adoption to weathering recent changes in global funding.
“The relationship between our organisations has matured into a true strategic alliance,” says Charmaine Kotze, Account Manager at Datacentrix. “It’s built on trust, adaptability and shared purpose.”
Scalable IT Support for a Fast-Paced NGO
As a project-based NGO with a frequently shifting workforce, Aurum required a technology partner that could offer flexibility, speed, and robust support. Datacentrix responded with a fully managed ICT environment that covers:
- End-user device procurement.
- Immutable backups and secure networking.
- Remote support and cloud services.
“Our work spans everything from HIV and TB research to large-scale healthcare programmes,” explains Arshad Hassim, Group CFO at Aurum. “We scale up and down based on project needs, sometimes growing by hundreds of staff, then reducing again. Datacentrix understands this dynamic and supports us seamlessly.”
“Today, over 90% of our support is remote, eliminating the need for on-site engineers in rural offices. This has drastically improved service levels and reduced costs.” adds Cristian Pieterse, Head of ICT Operations & Infrastructure at Aurum Institute.
Beyond Tech: A Strategic, Values-Aligned Partnership
Hassim notes that Datacentrix’s value goes far beyond technical support.
“They’ve helped us manage risk, optimise costs, and align with non-profit requirements – such as leveraging Microsoft’s Tech for Social Impact programme. Importantly, they treat us like a true partner, not just a client. When we face challenges, we solve them together.”
Cloud Transformation in Crisis
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic pushed Aurum to pivot quickly to the cloud. Datacentrix was instrumental in this leap.
“Before the pandemic, we had no cloud roadmap,” says Pieterse. “But within months, Datacentrix helped migrate more than 2,000 users to Microsoft’s cloud environment, including Teams and SharePoint. Our cloud adoption now exceeds 80% – far above the average for similar organisations.”
As the digital landscape evolves, the partnership is now exploring emerging technologies and awareness training.
“We’re working on end-user cybersecurity education with support from Datacentrix’s socio-economic development programmes,” Pieterse shares. “During difficult periods – like the pandemic and recent US funding cuts – Datacentrix remained by our side. That’s the difference between a vendor and a partner.”
