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About |
Soft Touch Computing cc (STC) was established in 1993 as a traditional
hardware & software retailer in the Lowveld region of Mpumalanga. In 1995
SoftNet Internet Services (SIS) was founded as a subsidiary of STC - the
first Internet Service Provider in Nelspruit, the capital of Mpumalanga.
It has remained the premier ISP of this region ever since, providing
dial-up, leased line and most recently high speed wireless connectivity and a variety of web related services.
The company was established by Mark and Helen Schormann. Mark Schormann is
a qualified Chemical Engineer (BSC Chem. Eng.) with a BCom. (majoring in
Computer Science and Economics), and recently completed his studies to
become a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He has extensive
computing experience ranging from hardware design to software systems
development. Helen is a qualified Architect (BArch) with solid general
business experience. Mark currently fulfills the function of General
Manager and strategic planner. Helen fulfills the role of Financial
Manager and creative advisor.
Over the years, SoftNet has employed various graphica design and web specialist and has developed for clients a vast number of websites.
In 2000 our ISP business underwent a major upgrade - this was made
possible due to continued and successful liaising with Telkom. We
succeeded in getting fibre optic cabling installed to our Bardolino offices thereby
providing almost unlimited bandwidth for all our future requirements. In
addition to this we have switched all our dial-up infrastructure to using
Primary Rate ISDN. The entire ISP is backed up using UPS's with longer
term backup power coming from a generator, providing 24x7 reliability.
Redundant web servers are used to provide back-up for the live servers, in
case of hardware failure. In early 2002, significant connectivity
capacity was added with the purchase of a consignment of additional
routers.
Brochure Management Mpumalanga is an additional
subsidiary that was launched in 2003. It forms part of the broader
Brochure Management national franchise network, which strives to effect
the efficient distribution and monitoring of brochures throughout the
country, thereby stimulating business and tourism.
In 2006, SoftNet relocated its offices from the Villa Bardolino to the Tarentaal Centre in Nelspruit due to ongoing connectivity problems that could not be resolved by Telkom.
After a period of a further two years, in 2008, it relocated again to larger premises within the same Tarentaal compley building. The new premises allowed further expansion of the business to incorporate a cellphone division, which retails Vodacom data products.
In 2009, SoftNet again embraced the changing
technological landscape and embarked on a project to provide high speed
wireless connectivity to the broader Lowveld and region of South Africa.