DSL Telecom - Blog by Kim

How DSL Telecom Brought NSJ Wholesale Into The Digital Age With Zoho

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 09:19:21 +0200

NSJ Wholesale

Industry
Hardware And Household Goods Wholesale

Type
Privately Held

Location

Newtown, Johannesburg

NSJ Wholesale is a well-established distributor of hardware and household goods, trading successfully for over 30 years and now operating under new ownership with fresh momentum. Based in Newtown, Johannesburg, NSJ supplies retail hardware stores, mining distributors, and general dealers nationwide, delivering across all nine provinces.

The business is built on an extensive product range spanning six core categories, backed by a strong portfolio of trusted local and international brands, including Tricircle, Boston Tools, Ultralock, Pratley, Bostik, Watex, Pays, Nasca, Mamba, Viking, and Stihl. With three decades of reliable supply behind them, NSJ set out to give this trusted name the professional digital presence it deserved.

The Challenge:

After more than 30 years of building a reputation through quality stock and dependable service, NSJ recognised that today's buyers increasingly research suppliers online before making contact. Under new ownership and with clear growth ambitions, the business wanted a professional online presence that reflected its standing in the industry.

But NSJ needed more than just a website. They needed a self-sufficient digital foundation:

A product showcase for their categories and full brand portfolio.
An always-current catalogue visitors could access instantly.
Clear processes for both customers ordering and suppliers applying.
A recruitment channel for a nationwide Sales Rep vacancy, with more roles to follow.

Crucially, they wanted a platform their own team could keep up to date - without depending on a developer for every change.

The solution: a self-managed foundation on Zoho

To bring NSJ's trusted name online, DSL Telecom - an award-winning Zoho Premium Partner in South Africa - designed and built a professional, easy-to-manage website using Zoho Sites, complemented by Zoho Forms and Zoho WorkDrive to power lead capture and a self-updating catalogue.

Zoho SitesZoho FormsZoho WorkDrive

A no-code website the team owns

The foundation of the project was Zoho Sites, Zoho's intuitive, no-code website builder. Because it's fully self-manageable, NSJ's team can update content, pages, and images themselves, keeping the site current as the business grows, with no coding or developer required. DSL Telecom also established a brand foundation drawn directly from the company's logo, giving a business with over 30 years of history the polished, cohesive online look its reputation warranted.

A clear path for customers and suppliers

The website maps out a simple four-step ordering process for customers, from downloading the catalogue to nationwide delivery, and a three-step application process for suppliers looking to get their products onto NSJ's shelves and into its nationwide network. This clarity removes friction for new customers and partners alike.

A genuinely self-updating catalogue

At the heart of NSJ's requirements was quick, reliable access to their latest product catalogue. DSL Telecom solved this elegantly using Zoho WorkDrive, Zoho's secure cloud content management and file storage platform. The catalogue is hosted in WorkDrive and linked directly to the website, so when NSJ uploads a new version, it instantly replaces the old one, with no link edits required.

A single source of truth that stays current, without any technical intervention.

Turning catalogue interest into leads

To turn catalogue interest into tangible business, DSL Telecom implemented Zoho Forms, Zoho's powerful online form builder. An enquiry form now gates the catalogue download, capturing visitor details before granting access and automatically emailing every lead directly to the NSJ team. What was once a simple document is now an active lead-generation tool.

Findability, recruitment, and compliance

DSL Telecom applied SEO best practices across the site, submitted it to Google Search Console, and set up Google Analytics on every page. A dedicated Careers section now advertises the nationwide Sales Rep vacancy with an apply-by-CV route, and a POPIA and GDPR-compliant privacy policy keeps the business aligned with data protection requirements. The project closed with a 90-minute training session and a full handover.

The results

By partnering with DSL Telecom, NSJ Wholesale now has a professional, self-managed digital presence that does justice to its decades-long track record. Buyers can instantly access an always-current product catalogue, customers and suppliers have clarity on how to order and partner, and the business has a built-in recruitment channel ready for its next phase of growth.

Just as importantly, the entire system is designed to be maintained by NSJ's own team. The self-updating catalogue, automated lead capture, and no-code website builder mean the business stays current and generates enquiries without ongoing developer costs.

30+

Years of trusted supply, now online

Provinces served nationwide

Core product categories showcased

Developers needed to update the site

★★★★★

DSL Telecom built our website on Zoho Sites, they really understood how we wanted the site to look and feel. They are very responsive, include a large team to make sure the work is done quickly and they are well priced. Great experience.

Greg Hurwitz, Owner, NSJ Wholesale

Ready to bring your business online with a customised Zoho solution?

DSL Telecom delivers expert Zoho implementation, consulting, and support to help South African businesses build a professional online presence, streamline workflows, and grow with confidence.

Book a free consultation →

How South African Payment Gateways Work With Zoho Books

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:21:09 +0200

When a customer can tap a "Pay Now" button and settle their invoice in under a minute, you get paid faster. Zoho Books makes that happen by connecting to the payment gateways South Africans already use, like PayFast, PayGate, Paystack and AddPay. Here's how it works, and how to get it set up properly.

Getting paid shouldn't be the hardest part of running your business. Yet for a lot of South African businesses, it still is. Invoices sit unpaid, EFT proof-of-payment emails get lost, and finance teams spend hours matching bank statements to invoices that should've reconciled themselves.

Zoho Books fixes this by plugging directly into the payment gateways your customers already use. It's worth remembering that Zoho Books' South African edition is already built for local business from the ground up with VAT201 Return reporting to SARS specifications, VAT Audit Report downloads, and Domestic Reverse Charge support for qualifying transactions. Payment gateways are the natural extension of that: getting the money in as smoothly as the SA edition already handles the compliance side of it.

Here's how it actually works, and which gateways make sense if you're invoicing in Rand.

Why the payment gateway matters more than you think

An invoice with a "Pay Now" button gets paid faster than one without. When a customer can settle an invoice with a card, an EFT, or a mobile payment in under a minute, you cut the time between "invoice sent" and "invoice paid." Every gateway you connect to Zoho Books turns your invoice from a request into a transaction.

Once a customer pays, Zoho Books marks that invoice as paid automatically. No manual reconciliation, no guessing whose EFT just landed in the business account, no chasing.

The gateways that work with Zoho Books in South Africa

Zoho Books natively supports global providers like PayPal and 2Checkout, which is useful if you've got customers paying from overseas. But for Rand-denominated transactions, the gateways that actually matter run as extensions through the Zoho Marketplace:

One of the longest-standing gateways in South Africa, trusted by major retailers and banks. The PayGate extension for Zoho Books lets you send invoices with an embedded payment link. Once your customer pays, the invoice status flips to "Paid" without anyone lifting a finger.

A gateway built for South African card and EFT payments, with strong adoption among SMEs. It connects to Zoho Books via its own Marketplace extension and supports the same invoice-link-to-auto-reconciliation flow, along with recurring billing and local debit card support.

Now part of the Stripe family, Paystack has a strong footprint across Africa, including South Africa, covering cards, bank transfers, and mobile money.

The newest entrant, and the broadest in terms of payment methods: cards, USSD, bank transfers, direct debit, and POS, across African markets. Worth a look if your customers pay in more ways than just card or EFT.

What happens behind the scenes

Once a gateway is connected and payment methods are enabled on your invoices:

Your customer receives the invoice and clicks the integrated “Pay Now” link.
They’re taken to a secure payment page hosted by the gateway, not by Zoho, and not by your business. Customer card details never touch your systems directly.
The gateway processes the payment and sends confirmation back to Zoho Books.
Zoho Books updates the invoice status to “Paid,” logs the transaction, and files it against the right customer ledger, ready for reconciliation against your bank feed.

That’s the whole point of a payment gateway: it does the compliance-heavy lifting (PCI DSS, card data handling, fraud checks) so your accounting platform doesn’t have to.

It also matters for POPIA: since payment gateways handle the card data and Zoho Books only stores the last four digits and expiry date, your business carries far less sensitive customer data than if you were processing payments manually.

Getting it set up right, the first time

Connecting a payment gateway is rarely as simple as the Marketplace “Install” button suggests. API credentials, card verification rules, and invoice template settings all need to be configured correctly before that “Pay Now” button actually does its job.

DSL Telecom is South Africa’s longest-standing Zoho Premium Partner, and Zoho Partner of the Year for three consecutive years. With 17 years in business, 50+ specialists, and 16 Zoho certifications across the team, including Zoho Books, we’ve set up payment gateways for South African businesses across just about every industry there is.

Our support covers every stage of getting paid through Zoho Books:

Gateway selection based on how your customers actually want to pay
Extension installation and API credential setup for PayGate, PayFast, Paystack, and AddPay
Card verification and invoice template configuration, so the “Pay Now” link shows up correctly every time
Reconciliation checks, so payments land against the right invoice, customer ledger, and, come tax season, your VAT201 Return
Ongoing support if a gateway connection breaks, a payment fails, or your requirements change

Zoho Premium Partner · Partner of the Year

Let’s get your Zoho Books payments working the way they’re supposed to.

Whether you’re connecting your first gateway or fixing one that never worked quite right, we’ll set it up correctly the first time. Payment gateway setup is simpler when you’ve done it before.

Frequently asked questions

Which payment gateways work with Zoho Books in South Africa?

Zoho Books Support in South Africa: Why Work With A Certified Zoho Premium Partner

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:27:19 +0200

If you're running a growing business in South Africa and are using - or considering - Zoho Books for your accounting needs, the platform you choose is only half the equation. How it's set up, configured, and supported makes all the difference.

Zoho Books is a cloud-based accounting platform built for growing businesses. It handles invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, financial reporting, and much more - all from one centralised system accessible anywhere, on any device. Crucially, it includes a dedicated South African edition built specifically to meet local tax and compliance requirements.

Why Zoho Books Works for South Africa

Zoho Books isn't a generic global accounting tool with a ZAR currency option bolted on. The South African edition has been built with local regulatory requirements at its core:

VAT201 Return reporting built to SARS specifications, so your VAT returns are accurate and submission-ready
VAT Audit Report download, ready for SARS audit processes
Domestic Reverse Charge support for qualifying transactions
ZAR pricing and local data considerations
Integration with South African payment gateways

For South African businesses, this means the platform is already doing a lot of the compliance heavy lifting - provided it's configured correctly from the start.

The Challenge: Getting It Set Up Correctly

This is where many businesses run into difficulty. Zoho Books is a powerful platform, but its value depends entirely on how well it's implemented. Without the right expertise, businesses can end up with:

VAT configuration that doesn't account for South African tax rules
A chart of accounts that doesn't reflect their industry or business model
Bank feeds and reconciliation that haven't been set up for local banks
A team that hasn't been properly trained and isn't using the platform effectively

The result is an accounting system that technically works, but isn't working for your business. And when tax season or a SARS audit arrives, the gaps become costly.

Why Local Zoho Books Support Matters

When your business operates under South African tax law, there are realities that only a local partner can address effectively.

VAT Compliance: South African businesses need to comply with SARS VAT regulations, file VAT201 returns, and maintain accurate audit trails. Your Zoho Books setup should reflect this from day one - not be retrofitted later.

POPIA Considerations: When handling customer financial data, it's worth working with a partner who understands the Protection of Personal Information Act and how it applies to your business processes and software configuration.

Local Banking and Workflows: South African bank feeds, payment terms, and business processes have their own specific requirements. Getting these right requires a team that works with them daily.

Context, Time Zones, and Language: Having a local team on hand means fast, relevant support from people who understand your business environment.

Why DSL Telecom

DSL Telecom is South Africa's longest-standing Zoho Premium Partner, the highest tier in Zoho's partner programme, awarded to partners who demonstrate exceptional implementation quality, customer satisfaction, and technical expertise.

Award-Winning Track Record

Zoho Partner of the Year, South Africa, for three consecutive years
Zoho Partner of the Year, MEA - 2024
Zoho Key Business Contributor Award - 2024

17 Years in Business. DSL Telecom has been operating for over 17 years, with a team of 50+ specialists and 16 Zoho certifications held across the business, covering applications including Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, Zoho Creator, Zoho Analytics, and more.

Consistently 5-Star Rated at the highest level of Partner tier on Zoho's Partner platform for implementation, support, training, and service delivery.

Locally Based. We are based in Somerset West, Western Cape, and support businesses across South Africa and beyond. We bring both local expertise and global best practices to every implementation.

What DSL Telecom Zoho Books Support Includes

Our support covers every stage of your Zoho Books journey, from initial setup through to ongoing success:

Initial setup and configuration tailored to your business
VAT and SARS compliance setup, including VAT201 Return configuration and VAT Audit Report
Bank feed and reconciliation setup for South African banks
Opening balance data migration from Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, or spreadsheets
Automation setup to reduce manual work and human error
Staff training, both in-person and online
Integration with other Zoho apps, including Zoho CRM, Zoho Inventory, and Zoho Desk
Ongoing Zoho Customer Success Plans with one-on-one coaching, dedicated support, and proactive guidance

What Our Customers Say

" Working with DSL Telecom has been an exceptional experience. They are quick to respond, hands-on, and consistently deliver effective Zoho software solutions. What sets them apart is their commitment to client empowerment - involving us in the process, explaining every change, and providing thorough training. DSL Telecom has been indispensable in supporting our expansion. Thank you for this profoundly positive partnership! ''

- Titan Secure

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Zoho Books support South African VAT?

Yes. Zoho Books includes native VAT201 Return reporting, a VAT Audit Report download, and Domestic Reverse Charge support - all built to SARS specifications. Our implementation services ensure your VAT configuration is set up correctly from the start.

Can I migrate from Sage, Xero, or QuickBooks to Zoho Books?

Absolutely. DSL Telecom handles data migration from Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, and spreadsheets. The migration process ensures your customers, vendors, items, and chart of accounts with opening balances are transferred cleanly, with minimal disruption to your business.

How long does a Zoho Books implementation take?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of your business and the amount of data being migrated. Straightforward implementations can be completed in as little as two weeks, while more complex projects with significant data migration may take longer. DSL Telecom will provide a clear project plan and timeline upfront so you know exactly what to expect.

What is a Zoho Premium Partner?

Zoho Premium Partner is the highest tier in Zoho's partner programme, awarded to partners who demonstrate exceptional implementation quality, customer satisfaction, and technical expertise. DSL Telecom holds this status and is South Africa's longest-standing Zoho Premium Partner, with 14 years of continuous partnership.

From first-time setup to migration and ongoing support, we're here to help make your Zoho Books experience a success.

Why South African Businesses are Replacing Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace with Zoho Workplace - A DSL Telecom Webinar Recap

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:50:37 +0200

South African businesses are no longer accepting rising licence costs as “just part of doing business.” With Microsoft 365 prices climbing again in 2026 and Google Workspace costs steadily increasing, many organisations are actively looking for a smarter, more cost-effective workplace solution.

Microsoft has announced further pricing adjustments taking effect in 2026, adding to multiple increases over the past few years. For many organisations, this means:

Higher per-user monthly costs
Additional charges for premium security and compliance features
Paying separately for tools that were previously bundled

Zoho Workplace offers a fully integrated workplace app suite at a predictable, transparent cost, without the layered pricing model that continues to drive Microsoft licensing higher year after year.

In our recent webinar, Adriaan Dijkstra and Gideo Beukes unpacked why more businesses are moving away from Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, and how Zoho Workplace is emerging as a powerful, cost-effective alternative.

About Zoho Workplace

Zoho Workplace is a fully integrated workplace productivity suite built to replace the complexity of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Instead of stacking multiple apps, licences, and add-ons, businesses get one connected platform for email, file storage, document collaboration, meetings, and team chat. (Zoho Mail, Zoho WorkDrive, Zoho Writer, Zoho Meeting, Zoho Cliq)

Many businesses don’t realise how much they’re overspending on workplace apps. Between Microsoft 365 licences, Teams add-ons, security upgrades, and third-party integrations, monthly costs quietly escalate.

Over the past four years, Microsoft 365 E3 pricing (combined with Teams and security features) has increased by approximately 26%, and 2026 will introduce additional pricing adjustments.

That means higher recurring costs, with no significant increase in functionality for most SMEs.

Zoho Workplace addresses this by:

Consolidating essential workplace apps into one licence
Removing the need for costly add-ons
Providing enterprise-grade features without enterprise-level pricing

Enterprise-Grade Email and Security

When businesses think of email, they often think “inbox.” But in reality, professional email is far more than sending and receiving messages. It supports your organisation’s identity, protects sensitive data, enables secure collaboration, and ensures communication remains available at all times.

Whether you’re a growing SME or a large organisation, email remains one of your most critical business systems, and it needs to be secure, reliable, scalable, and privacy-focused. Unlike ad-driven platforms, Zoho Mail operates on a privacy-first model, meaning your business data is never monetised.

Zoho Mail for business, as a fully integrated component of Workplace, works seamlessly alongside documents, storage, chat, and meetings within one connected ecosystem.

Zoho Workplace offers:

Predictable, lower licensing costs

Integrated workplace apps
Local migration and support from your Zoho Workplace partner in South Africa - DSL Telecom
Enterprise-grade email and collaboration

With Microsoft 365 prices increasing again in 2026 and Google Workspace costs continuing to rise, now is the time to reassess your productivity stack. Zoho Workplace offers predictable, lower licensing costs, fully integrated workplace apps, secure business email, and collaboration tools - plus local migration and support from DSL Telecom.

Q&A Highlights

The live Q&A session sparked valuable discussion, with attendees raising important questions about migration, security, and scalability. Here are some of the highlights:

Question 1: Can we migrate from Google Workspace to Zoho Workplace easily?

DSL Telecom Team: Yes, definitely. We’ve helped a number of customers migrate from Google Workspace to Zoho Workplace. The process usually starts with a discussion to understand your setup: how many users you have, the number of mailboxes, etc. From there, our team plans the migration carefully to ensure minimal disruption to your business.

Question 2: How does Zoho Workplace compare to SharePoint on permissions and external access sharing?

DSL Telecom Team: That’s a great question. You’ve got plenty of flexibility when it comes to sharing files externally. You can create secure links for specific documents or folders, share them with clients, and set permissions to control access.

For example, you can password-protect links or set them to expire after a certain time. If needed, clients can also be added as users in Zoho WorkDrive - Zoho’s equivalent of SharePoint or OneDrive, giving you even more control over how files are accessed and managed.

Question 3: Can I try out Zoho Mail with only a few of my team members?

DSL Telecom Team: Yes, with Zoho Mail, hybrid setups are definitely possible. A hybrid solution means you don’t have to move everyone over at once, allowing you to integrate Zoho Mail into your existing email environment. This can be helpful if you want to test the platform first, move departments in phases, or keep certain teams on a different system temporarily.

Question 3: What backup measures are in place during migration, and how can data be restored if required?

DSL Telecom Team: Once your data is migrated to Zoho, it’s safely backed up as part of their regular processes. We can also set up extra backups if needed, so your data can be restored anytime.

Key Takeaways

Webinar attendees got a clear look at how Zoho Workplace helps South African businesses work smarter, stay secure, and cut software costs. The session covered its all-in-one apps, and showed how moving from Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace can be smooth and hassle-free.

If you missed the webinar or want to revisit the insights, you can watch the full recording or reach out to our team for personalised guidance on getting started with Zoho Workplace.

If you’d like a cost comparison between Microsoft 365, Google Workplace, or a Zoho Workplace migration assessment, speak to our team today, or start exploring Zoho Workplace yourself with a free trial by clicking here .

How DSL Telecom Streamlined Sancert Global's Certification Processes With Zoho Software

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:31:42 +0200

Sancert Global

Industry
ISO Certification Services

Type
Privately Held

Location

Somerset West

Sancert Global is a leading internationally accredited certification provider, holding UKAS and SANAS accreditation. With over 20 years of experience and a global footprint, Sancert helps businesses decrease risk and achieve operational excellence through ISO certification services including ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 27001 (Information Security), ISO 31000 (Risk Management), ISO 13485 (Medical Devices Quality Management), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety).

Through expert auditors and structured processes, Sancert guides organisations through the full external certification journey.

The Challenge:

As Sancert Global experienced rapid growth, its certification processes became increasingly complex, requiring close coordination between auditors and back-office teams across every stage. Relying on email and messaging tools led to fragmented communication, limited visibility, scheduling challenges, and manual inefficiencies. To sustain growth, Sancert needed a centralised, customisable system to streamline workflows and improve transparency, without compromising efficiency or compliance.

The Solution: A Centralised Zoho System Built for Certification Excellence

To help Sancert streamline its growing operations, DSL Telecom, an award-winning Zoho Premium Partner in South Africa, implemented a fully integrated Zoho ecosystem tailored specifically to the certification lifecycle.

The foundation of the implementation was Zoho CRM, which became the central hub of Sancert’s operations. Instead of tracking certification progress across emails, spreadsheets, and messaging apps, the entire client journey now lives inside one structured system.

DSL Telecom set up custom Zoho CRM modules to match Sancert’s certification workflow, from costing and audits to surveillance and re-certification. Step-by-step blueprints and automated workflows now guide team members, trigger tasks and reminders, and reduce manual work.

One of the standout features for Sancert has been the mail merge functionality. Key details like account names and addresses now auto-populate from the CRM, saving time and eliminating manual copy-and-paste errors.

This gives Sancert clear visibility and control over every client’s progress.

To reduce manual data entry and speed up responses, DSL Telecom implemented Zoho Forms and connected it to Zoho CRM. Website forms now automatically create or update CRM records. This ensures accurate data, avoids duplicates, and makes onboarding faster and smoother for both the Sancert team and their clients.

Certification requires many documents to be signed, from NDAs and quotes to audit agreements. Previously, this was done manually, causing delays and extra follow-ups. DSL Telecom simplified the process by implementing Zoho Sign. Documents are now generated from the CRM, sent electronically for signature, and automatically linked to the client record. This has sped up approvals, improved tracking, and removed administrative bottlenecks.

The subsequent phase focused on structured document management, and to keep certification documents organised and accessible, DSL Telecom integrated Zoho WorkDrive with Zoho CRM. Each new client account automatically gets a structured folder for all relevant files, accessible directly from the CRM. Auditors can securely share and collaborate on documents, making compliance easier and eliminating scattered files.

One of Sancert’s key operational requirements was improved visibility of auditor availability and a simpler way to schedule audits. To solve this, DSL Telecom created a kiosk within Zoho CRM that integrates with Zoho Creator. All bookings now automatically appear on the embedded Zoho Creator calendar, giving the Sancert team clear visibility and streamlining planning across all certification stages.

The next step was to provide leadership with meaningful business insights. DSL Telecom's skilled team deployed Zoho Analytics to deliver real-time dashboards and reporting. Instead of manually compiling reports, management can now access up-to-date performance data at any time. This empowers Sancert to make informed, data-driven decisions and continuously refine their processes.

Finally, to support continuous improvement, Zoho Survey was introduced to gather structured client feedback once a certification is completed. Surveys are linked directly to the CRM records, allowing Sancert to monitor client satisfaction and identify areas for enhancement. This reinforces their commitment to service excellence and long-term client relationships.

The Results: A Structured Environment That Supports Operational Efficiency While Delivering A Smoother Experience

By partnering with DSL Telecom, Sancert Global now operates from a fully integrated, centralised system that connects people, processes, and documentation across the entire certification lifecycle.

The new Zoho software environment has reduced manual workload, improved collaboration, enhanced compliance tracking, and positioned Sancert for scalable growth - all while delivering a more seamless experience to their clients.

To ensure they maximise ROI on their Zoho investment, Sancert also signed up for a DSL Telecom Customer Success Plan, giving them access to expert advice on Zoho best practices, adoption strategies, and proactive recommendations to optimise their certification processes.

Testimonial from Sancert

'' It was an absolute pleasure working with the DSL Telecom team to bring our Zoho system to life. Despite the complexity of our processes, it was amazing to see how every person we worked with at DSL Telecom took the time to truly understand our business in order to provide the best support possible. We genuinely appreciate all their efforts. ''

Ready to Transform Your Operations with a Customised Zoho Solution?

DSL Telecom specialises in delivering expert Zoho implementation, consulting, and support to help businesses streamline workflows, boost efficiency, and gain complete visibility over their processes.

Book a free consultation

DSL Telecom Wins Zoho Partner of the Year South Africa 2025 for 3 Years Running - Awarded at Zoho Inspire MEA in Dubai

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:51:26 +0200

We're proud to share that DSL Telecom has been named Zoho Partner of the Year, South Africa for 2025, for the third year running. The award was presented at the Zoho MEA Regional Inspire 2026 event on 21 January 2026, hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC in Dubai.

Representing DSL Telecom on the day, Managing Director Dean Schreuder and Technical Director Paul Wilson accepted the award on behalf of the entire team. For us, the recognition is not about the moment on stage. It's a reflection of the work behind it - carefully-crafted Zoho implementations and solutions built to deliver real, lasting value for our customers.

What Is Zoho MEA Regional Inspire?

Zoho MEA Regional Inspire is where Zoho partners across the Middle East and Africa come together to learn what's coming next, share what's working in the field, and connect directly with Zoho's teams. It's a day built around practical insight - product direction, partner enablement, and the conversations that help turn new capability into real-world outcomes.

Beyond the formal sessions, Inspire creates space for collaboration. It is where partners compare notes, trade best practices, and return with ideas that can immediately improve how customers use Zoho.

What This Award Means for Our Customers

Being named Zoho Partner of the Year, South Africa is a proud moment for DSL Telecom, but the real value of this recognition is what it signals to the businesses we support, and it would not be possible without the ongoing trust of our customers. We sincerely thank you for choosing DSL Telecom and for allowing us to support your business journey.

This recognition confirms you are working with a partner trusted by Zoho for the standard of delivery, the quality of implementation, and the consistency of results.

In practical terms, it means your Zoho environment is implemented with care and guided by experience. It means you receive advice that is clear and grounded, focused on what will genuinely improve your operation rather than adding features you do not need. And it means you are supported by a hands-on South African team that understands local business realities, while applying global best practices that keep your setup stable as you grow.

Highlights from Zoho Inspire 2026

Winning the award wasn't the only highlight from Zoho Inspire. The event also gave us clearer insight into Zoho's roadmap and the improvements partners can bring back to their customers. We use what we learn there to keep customer systems aligned with best practices and to identify updates worth adopting - practical changes that strengthen performance, usability, and long-term value.

DSL Telecom's Partner of the Year award

The main stage at Zoho Inspire 2026

Paul connecting with fellow Zoho partners

A keynote session exploring Zoho’s AI capabilities

Retail industry insights on stage

Dean and Paul alongside Zoho experts

Great energy at Zoho Inspire 2026

Proud recipients of the Zoho Partner of the Year award

Celebrations with the Zoho team in the UAE

What's Next

With fresh insight from Zoho Inspire - and our continued standing as a top-performing partner in South Africa - we're even more focused on one thing: helping businesses get more from Zoho.

Whether you're looking to improve customer experience, automate workflows, unify your data, or scale smarter, DSL Telecom is here to help you unlock the full value of Zoho's suite, drive efficiency, and support long-term growth.

Want to see what an award-winning Zoho implementation looks like for your business?

2025: Our Year In Review

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:09:10 +0200

2025 has been a standout year for DSL Telecom, marked by major achievements, global recognition, meaningful partnerships, high-impact events, and team moments that strengthened our culture. Across every event and initiative this year, we remained committed to quality, innovation, and prioritising our customers' needs.

Here's a look back at the milestones that shaped our year.

Growing With Top Talent

A key part of our success this year has been our ongoing investment in people. We actively recruit top talent and continue to grow our team to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Across technical, sales, support, and implementation roles, we look for individuals who share our passion for problem-solving, innovation, and exceptional service. This focus on building and developing a team of driven individuals has helped us scale smarter, innovate faster, and deliver even stronger results.

Supporting Our Customers Every Step Of The Way

Assisting Customers With Their Connectivity Needs

Zoho Implementation Team Members Brainstorming

Collaborating To Deliver World-Class Technology Solutions

Our Dedicated Consumer Division Sales Team In Action

We Support Our Team Members To Achieve Excellence

Zoho Awards, Events And Workshops

Our partnership with Zoho reached new heights in 2025 - it was a year full of awards, workshops, and events that showcased our expertise as a Zoho Premium Partner and strengthened our commitment to delivering world-class technology solutions for our customers.

We kicked off the year by being awarded Zoho Partner of the Year - MEA region 2024 at the Global Partner Summit in Chennai, India. DSL Telecom's Managing Director, Dean Schreuder, and Technical Director, Paul Wilson, attended the summit to receive the award and connect with the Zoho team and other partners, exchanging fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to drive growth and collaboration.

Next up, DSL Telecom received Zoho Partner of the Year - South Africa 2024 at the Zoho Inspire MEA event held in Dubai. Representing DSL Telecom, Tremayne Burns, Head of Operations, and Hansie Swanepoel, Success and Implementation Manager, proudly accepted the award.

Back on home soil, Zoho Inspire Johannesburg offered industry-changing insights and practical strategies. Dean participated in an insightful Q&A session, highlighting winning strategies and the impact of fully embracing the Zoho ecosystem.

In June, Zoho delivered two incredible Zoholics events in Johannesburg and Cape Town, packed with product updates, customer success stories, and deep-dive sessions. DSL Telecom was well represented at both events, where team members got the opportunity to network with customers and partners, gaining firsthand insights into Zoho's latest developments.

The Zoho GrowthShow offered even more inspiration, featuring insights from Zoho leadership. Our team walked away taking key lessons on leadership, resilience, and navigating growth in a rapidly changing business environment.

We also levelled up our financial know-how at the Zoho Finance Workshop, learning new skills to deliver even better Zoho Solutions.

Another highlight of 2025 was hosting a Zoho Voice Launch Webinar. Account Manager, Gideo Beukes, and Head Of Customer Services, Calvin Van Rooyen, demonstrated how Zoho's newly-launched cloud telephony platform fits seamlessly into the wider Zoho ecosystem, and enjoyed sharing insights and answering questions.

Dean and Paul, With Ajeet and Vincent, At The Zoho Global Partner Summit

Tremayne and Hansie With Hyther At The Zoho Inspire Event

DSL Telecom Team Members At The Zoholics Cape Town 2025 Event

DSL Telecom and Zoho Team Members At The Zoho GrowthShow Event

Paul and Carin Attending The Zoho Finance Workshop

Zoho Voice Webinar - Hosted By DSL Telecom

Telkom Events And Industry Engagement

2025 was also a big year for strengthening our partnership with Telkom, as we continued to work closely together to drive mutual growth and success.

At the Telkom Summer Roadshow, held at Kirstenbosch Gardens, our B2C Consumer Division Manager, Emily Nightingale, and Head of Sales, Gerhard Dempers, used the opportunity to explore new strategies and share industry insights.

The momentum carried through to the Telkom Dealers' Conference in Mauritius, where Tremayne Burns, our Head of Operations, and Paul Wilson, our Technical Director, joined partners from across South Africa for a series of sessions focused on customer experience, AI-driven innovation, and the evolving future of telecommunications.

Emily and Gerhard from DSL Telecom, at the Telkom Summer Roadshow

Tremayne Enjoying the Golf Activities at the Telkom Dealers' Conference

Tremayne and Paul Accepting Their Golf Awards from Telkom's Nonhlanhla

DSL Telecom's Events And Functions

One of our most energetic moments of 2025 was our mid-year padel team-building event. Teams rallied, strategised, and cheered each other on with enthusiasm, teamwork, and a willingness to have fun.

We wrapped up the year with a bang at our Country Western-themed year-end celebration - complete with cowboy hats, boots, live music, and tons of festive energy. It was a lively, memorable night filled with fun and laughter, and was the perfect way to celebrate the successes, growth, and hard work that defined 2025.

Taking Teamwork Beyond The Office and Onto The Court

DSL Telecom Energy - Fast, Fun, and Always Playing To Win

Competitive spirit and Great Energy = Winning Team Culture

Closing Out The Year With The People Who Make DSL Telecom Shine

Award-Winning Team Members Celebrated Their Achievements

Capturing The Spirit That Drives DSL Telecom Ahead

Watch our 2025 highlights come to life:

A Strong Finish, And Even Stronger Future

To our customers and partners, thank you for your support throughout the year. And to our incredible team, your hard work and passion are what make DSL Telecom an exceptional place to grow and succeed.

How Notrix Transformed Call Reliability And Compliance With Yeastar's P-Series Cloud PBX

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:41:25 +0200

Notrix

Industry
Tracing And Verification Services Provider

Type
Privately Held

Headquarters

Strand, South Africa

Founded in 2011, Notrix has grown into a trusted national tracing and verification services provider. The company offers a wide range of specialised services, including:

Bulk & Batch Tracing (Right Party Contact, employment, and residential verification at scale)
Standard Tracing (consumer, commercial, urgent tracing)
Financial Tracing (payment profiles, credit indicators, judgements, property links, and more)
Accident & Vehicle Tracing
Fraud Check Products (email, phone number, ID and verification services)
Verification Services (driver's licence checks, academic verification, credit checks)

With a reputation for fast turnaround times, accuracy guarantees, and no-trace-no-fee service models, Notrix supports a range of businesses that rely on precise, timely information.

As a company that handles sensitive data and delivers results within fixed turnaround commitments, reliable communication systems, especially secure call recording, are essential.

The Challenge: Unreliable On-site PBX & Lost Call Recordings

Before partnering with DSL Telecom, Notrix relied on an on-site PBX with a NAS hard drive to store call recordings. Over time, this setup presented several challenges:

1. Unreliable Call Recording Storage

The NAS drive frequently failed or became unstable, resulting in:

Missing call recordings
Inconsistent recording quality
Risk of non-compliance due to incomplete call logs

For a company whose work depends heavily on accurate communication and record-keeping, this inconsistency created operational risk and potential rework.

2. No Remote Accessibility

With the PBX hosted on-premise, team members could not access the system remotely, limiting flexibility and slowing down how quickly information could be retrieved.

3. Lack of Scalability

As Notrix grew, the on-site system became harder to maintain. Expanding users or storage capacity required hardware purchases, downtime, and configuration changes that were not sustainable in the long term.

4. Maintenance & Hardware Risks

Any hardware issue, power outage, or NAS failure could immediately impact call operations. This created unnecessary downtime and uncertainty in a high-accuracy environment.

Notrix needed a reliable, modern, cloud-based communications solution that ensured every call was captured, securely stored, and easily retrievable.

The Solution: Yeastar P-Series Cloud PBX + Vox SIP + CallCabinet Integration

To eliminate these challenges, DSL Telecom deployed a modern, scalable cloud communication system built on:

Yeastar P-Series Cloud PBX System

A fully hosted telephony system delivering reliability, flexibility, and enterprise-grade features.

Vox SIP Trunking

High-quality, cost-effective voice connectivity for crisp, uninterrupted calling.

Integration With CallCabinet

A secure, compliant, cloud-based call recording solution - eliminating storage failures and providing reliable retention.

5 Extensions Deployed

Ensuring the Notrix team has direct, efficient communication channels tailored to their workflow.

Key Benefits & Results

After the migration, Notrix immediately experienced improvements in efficiency, call management, and compliance.

1. 100% Reliable Cloud Call Recording

The integration with CallCabinet ensures all calls are recorded and stored securely in the cloud, offering:

Guaranteed retention
Easy retrieval of historical calls
Searchable, centralised archives
Automatic compliance with industry and POPIA requirements

No more risk of recordings disappearing due to hardware failures.

2. Improved Team Productivity & Faster Turnaround

With a stable cloud PBX and remote accessibility, Notrix can:

Access the system from anywhere
Retrieve call recordings instantly
Manage customer queries faster
Maintain consistent service delivery within their 5-day turnaround promise

This supports the accuracy and efficiency that their clients depend on.

3. Zero Hardware Maintenance

The days of maintaining on-site PBX equipment and NAS drives are gone. Yeastar's cloud infrastructure dramatically reduces downtime and eliminates:

Manual backups
Storage failures
Costly repairs or replacements

System updates and security patches now happen automatically.

4. Scalable Communication for a Growing Business

As Notrix continues to expand nationwide, adding new extensions or features requires no hardware and minimal setup time. The system grows with the company - not the other way around.

5. Significant Cost Savings

With no on-site hardware and lower call costs through Vox SIP:

Operational expenses decrease
System reliability increases
Value increases across the entire communication workflow

Conclusion: A Modern Communication System That Elevates Accuracy, Compliance, & Efficiency

Notrix's move from an unreliable onsite PBX to Yeastar's P-Series Cloud PBX has transformed how the company handles calls, recordings, and customer service delivery. With secure cloud recording, better uptime, and scalable communication tools, Notrix can confidently maintain its reputation for accuracy, fast turnaround, and consistent tracing results.

Don't let legacy communication systems hold your business back. Upgrading to the Yeastar P-Series PBX powered by DSL Telecom, ensures a modern, scalable platform that streamlines operations, improves efficiency, and provides expert support whenever you need it.

Customer Testimonial

“ Our experience with DSL Telecom during our transition to the Yeastar Cloud PBX was exceptional. The entire process was simple and well-explained, with every detail clearly outlined from the start. The support team was fast, friendly, and always ready to assist. We appreciated the step-by-step setup, guidance, and the quick, consistent communication throughout. Thanks to DSL Telecom, the transformation for Notrix was smooth and stress-free. ”

~ Elzette Saunders - Notrix.

Zoho Voice Launches In South Africa - Highlights From The DSL Telecom Webinar

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 13:50:34 +0200

DSL Telecom recently hosted an insightful webinar introducing Zoho Voice to the South African market, showcasing how businesses can now enjoy seamless, Zoho-integrated telephony with local VoIP calling rates. The session offered a deep dive into the platform's key features, integrations, and cost-saving potential for local businesses.

About Zoho Voice

Zoho Voice is a cloud-based telephony solution that allows businesses to manage all calls - inbound and outbound - directly from within the Zoho ecosystem. Whether your team works remotely, in-office, or across international borders, Zoho Voice ensures smooth communication through an intuitive interface and rich integration options.

One of the highlights of the session was Zoho Voice's "Bring Your Own Carrier'' (BYOC) capability, now available in South Africa through DSL Telecom's SIP integration. This allows businesses to:

Use their existing business numbers or port them to DSL Telecom.
Access true per-second billing for more accurate cost management.
Benefit from superior call quality and lower latency, as calls are routed locally instead of internationally.

Key Features And Integrations Showcased

During the live session, attendees were guided through some of Zoho Voice's most powerful features and real-world use cases.

1. Centralised Communication with WhatsApp Integration

Zoho Voice integrates seamlessly with WhatsApp, allowing teams to communicate with customers via calls or messages from a single unified interface. This not only improves response times but also enhances customer satisfaction by meeting clients on the platforms they already use daily.

2. Call Transcription and Sentiment Analysis

The webinar highlighted how Zoho Voice's AI-driven transcription converts voice calls into searchable text while also detecting sentiment. These insights help businesses:

Improve training and quality assurance.
Identify customer sentiment trends.
Make data-driven decisions based on real conversations.

3. Deluge-Powered Automation and Integrations

Through Zoho Deluge scripting, Zoho Voice can automate key processes and integrate with both Zoho and third-party applications. For example:

Automatically create a follow-up task in Zoho CRM after a missed call.
Trigger customer feedback surveys once calls are completed.
Update deal stages based on call outcomes without manual output.

4. Advanced Telephony Tools for Teams

From IVR menus and call queues to whisper and barge modes for coaching and escalation, Zoho Voice equips businesses with advanced tools to manage more calls more efficiently.

Affordable Local Calling with DSL Telecom

With the new Zoho Voice + DSL Telecom SIP setup, South African businesses can now enjoy local VoIP rates, improved call quality, and flexible billing options. Businesses can even port their existing numbers to DSL Telecom without service interruption, ensuring brand continuity and minimal downtime.

Q&A Highlights

During the live session, attendees had the opportunity to submit their questions. Here's a summary of the top questions and answers from the webinar:

Question 1: Does Zoho Voice integrate with Zoho Desk?

DSL Telecom Team: Yes, Zoho Voice offers native integrations with several Zoho applications, including Zoho CRM, Zoho Desk, Zoho Bigin, Zoho Recruit, and ManageEngine Service Desk. Additionally, integrations can be extended beyond the Zoho ecosystems using Zoho Deluge scripting, allowing Zoho Voice to connect with third-party platforms and custom workflows.

Question 2: When does call transcription start in Zoho Voice?

DSL Telecom Team: Immediately. Call transcription begins from the first second of the connected call. This includes IVR messages and all interactions throughout the conversation, ensuring a full and accurate record of each call from start to finish.

Question 3: Will Zoho Voice be included in the Zoho One licence in the future?

Question 4: Can Zoho Voice integrate with WhatsApp for sending and broadcasting messages?

DSL Telecom Team: Yes, Zoho Voice supports WhatsApp messaging integration through approved message templates. However, broadcast messaging is subject to Meta's policies and restrictions, so bulk or promotional broadcasts would need to comply with WhatsApp's official API rules. DSL Telecom can assist clients in setting up approved templates for compliant usage.

Question 4: Does Zoho Voice integrate with Zoho Analytics for reporting?

DSL Telecom Team: While Zoho Voice already includes comprehensive built-in reporting, you can push data to Zoho Analytics using Zoho Deluge scripting. This allows businesses to create custom dashboards and combine call data with analytics from other Zoho applications for deeper insights.

Key Takeaways

The webinar gave attendees a clear understanding of how Zoho Voice can enhance business communication through seamless Zoho integrations. advanced telephony features, and affordable local VoIP calling rates powered by DSL Telecom.

If you missed the session or would like to revisit the insights and live demo, you can watch the full recording or contact our team for personalised guidance on getting started with Zoho Voice.

Ready to explore Zoho Voice for your business?

If you'd like to learn more about Zoho Voice or need help getting started, our team is ready to assist.

Payfast Enhances Support Efficiency And Reporting With Yeastar's Cloud-Based PBX

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 11:14:47 +0200

Payfast

Industry
Payments Service Provider

Type
Privately Held

Headquarters

Rondebosch, South Africa

South African fintech leader Payfast by Network upgrades to Yeastar's Cloud PBX with DSL Telecom - gaining integrated ticketing, real-time insights, and SLA accountability.

As one of South Africa's top online payment platforms, Payfast supports tens of thousands of merchants with seamless, secure transactions. With a growing customer base and high support volumes, their team needed a communication system that could scale, integrate, and offer instant visibility.

The Challenges

Before partnering with DSL Telecom, Payfast's legacy phone system created a number of operational roadblocks:

1. No Ticketing Integration
Calls weren't linked to their helpdesk tool, forcing agents to manually create tickets, slowing response times, and causing data gaps.

2. No Call Categorisation
Seven support departments shared the same inbound flow, but with no way to track or classify call reasons, decision-making lacked data.

The Solution: Yeastar Cloud PBX Powered By DSL Telecom

Payfast worked with DSL Telecom to implement Yeastar's P-Series Cloud PBX, purpose-built for support teams that need visibility, efficiency, and flexibility.

Seamless Migration To The Cloud

DSL Telecom moved Payfast's infrastructure to Yeastar Cloud PBX, activating enterprise-grade call centre features and scalability.

Direct Integration With Zoho Desk
Incoming calls now automatically link to existing or new tickets in Zoho Desk, giving agents immediate context and reducing manual work.

Custom Call Disposition Tags
Using Yeastar's Linkus app, agents now tag calls with predefined reasons like ''Password Reset'' or ''Refund'', providing actionable data on support trends.

Advanced Reporting With Zoho Analytics
Call data is pulled from the PBX, transformed with custom queries, and visualised in real-time dashboards. Payfast now tracks:

Call volumes by department
SLA compliance metrics
Agent productivity
Call categories and frequency

Additional exports are delivered in spreadsheet format for flexibility.

Results And Benefits

Responsive, Reliable Support - DSL Telecom delivers hands-on support with a clear, consistent point of contact.
Smart Ticket Handling - Agents now manage calls with full customer context, directly linked to tickets.
Data-Driven Insights - Every call is tracked, categorised, and visualised - unlocking actionable insights.
Performance Accountability - SLA tracking and agent metrics drive efficiency and team focus.
Real-Time Team Oversight- Managers can monitor call flow and team performance across departments, live.

Transform Your Support Operation With DSL Telecom + Yeastar

Since migrating to Yeastar's Cloud PBX, Payfast has gained the visibility, control, and agility needed to deliver world-class customer support. From ticketing integration to live dashboards, every element of their new system is built for scale.

Ready To Modernise Your Phone System?

Let DSL Telecom help you implement Yeastar Cloud PBX - complete with Zoho integrations, dashboards, and real-time monitoring.

Customer Testimonial

'' Working with DSL Telecom has been a great experience. Their team is professional, responsive, and consistently delivers quality results. We're happy with the service and look forward to continuing our relationship.'' ~ Ashley Parkes - Operations Manager at Payfast.

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