Technology
Datatex Releases New Version of AMETHYST
By Dipo Olowookere
Leading innovative telephony software solutions firm, Datatex, has announced the official release of a fully re-engineered version of AMETHYST, its exceedingly popular, industry leading, web-based telephone call recording system and quality management software.
This comes after two years of careful planning, programming and rigorous testing by their own team of programmers, resulting into a more modern, flexible Call Recording and Quality Management platform.
CEO of Datatex, Mr Johan Landman, stated that, “The original AMETHYST which we developed 15 years ago, remains without question, a really solid software solution, but the reality is that there are only so many upgrades you can do – especially in a 15 year time frame.”
“Technology and needs have changed quite dramatically and we recognised that the time had come to essentially start afresh and create a completely new version of our software. The new version, AMETHYST2, builds on the already powerful capabilities of the original AMETHYST, while making sure that we fully capitalise on the capabilities that more modern technology offers.”
In 2015, Datatex embarked upon re-creating AMETHYST from the ground up. After two years of careful planning, programming and rigorous testing by their own team of programmers – the result is a more modern, flexible Call Recording and Quality Management platform.
“For example, we’re now offering unlimited supervisor licences which are free, while we’ve built in functions that allow for extensive group structures and access control. The way that the original AMETHYST had been developed was somewhat more restrictive. We’re now able to accommodate much more of what we know our clients need,” says Mr Landman.
So with AMETHYST2, companies and users alike can look forward to a wide range of incredible new features that improve workflow and overall management.
Company decision makers in particular, will be pleased with key operational improvements which include the fact that AMETHYST2 is now a 64bit application. This allows for greater processing speeds. The software also provides for more efficient and cost effective scalability, and an even greater standard of reliability and redundancy.
Many businesses today who are reliant on technology to operate, need 3 key features to remain efficient and competitive – Security, Mobility and Scalability. AMETHYST2 enables all these essentials and more, which is why it’s definitely a winning solution for both multi-office and international companies.
Mr Landman says that Datatex recognised that they had to get rid of any limitations from the old software. “We needed to make sure that AMETHYST2 not only works seamlessly with the technology that companies use today, but we needed to also make the software easier to use and more intuitive.”
AMEHTYST2 is geared for speed, ease of use and efficiency. New features such as its fully integrated communication records which link all modes of communication such as email, call recordings and chat to one agent, make agent management more streamlined.
Reporting has received a serious overhaul and users can now look forward to extensive and detailed statistical data and reports, which can be scheduled for automatic distribution to the appropriate team members.
The upgrades within AMETHYST2 are extensive and as Landman says “Everyone that has used AMETHYST, will experience a big difference between the two versions.”
Companies familiar with Datatex can rest assured that with new protocols and settings, AMETHYST2 remains fully compliant with POPI, FICA, FAIS, SOX, PCI, NCA and PCA.
Acquiring AMETHYST2 involves a once off purchase, with ongoing free same version updates, and no annual fees.
Datatex provides highly personalised service and support, which existing clients of theirs, genuinely value. It is for this reason that they prefer to work with their clients personally and provide fully customised quotes that suit the specific needs of the organisation.
Choosing between a VPS and a dedicated server can be complex. They run apps and webpages. But they operate differently. Understanding the difference between VPS and dedicated server solutions will help you prevent complications and save money later on. In this text we will explain everything in detail with examples from actual life.
VPS vs Dedicated Server: What Actually Sets Them Apart
One physical machine is divided into multiple virtual servers by a VPS. Through virtualization software, each user receives a portion of resources that are separate from those of other users.
A dedicated server operates in a different manner. One user owns a single physical machine. No neighbors, no sharing, simply complete hardware access.
This is the core of the vps vs dedicated server debate. Shared hardware means lower costs, while full ownership means more raw power. Finding the best vps hosting service often comes down to how well a provider balances performance with fair pricing on shared resources.
| Factor | VPS | Dedicated Server |
| Resource allocation | Shared pool, virtualized | 100% dedicated hardware |
| Performance consistency | Possible noisy neighbor effect | Guaranteed, stable capacity |
| Scalability | Instant resize | Requires hardware upgrade or migration |
| Cost | Lower entry price | Higher fixed cost |
Performance, Cost and Control: Where Each One Wins
In terms of raw performance, dedicated servers are superior. Each gigabyte of RAM and each CPU cycle are part of a single project. There is no competition for resources.
Flexibility is where VPS excels. It takes minutes, not days, to scale up. Pricing stays lower too, since costs get split across multiple users on the same hardware.
Shared hardware limitations rarely cause problems for smaller projects. Providers like Antihost allocate resources fairly, so performance stays steady even during traffic spikes. The gap only really matters once traffic gets heavy and consistent.
The contrast of vps vs virtual machine is also confusing people often. A VPS is a virtual computer in a technical sense, but it’s rented from a hosting company, rather than running on your own hardware.
Matching the Server to the Project: Real Scenarios
A dedicated server is rarely required for a small business website. A VPS can easily manage moderate traffic while maintaining low expenses.
A growing SaaS product usually starts on a VPS and expands as the user base grows. This adaptability is more crucial in the early stages than brute strength.
A database-heavy application benefits from dedicated hardware once query volume reaches a certain level. In this case, the lack of resource sharing and a constant disk speed are essential.
A game server depends on low latency and steady performance. Many game servers run fine on VPS today, especially with modern hardware. As David Heinemeier Hansson put it: “Personal servers have gotten really scarily quick, inefficient, and personal internet connections rival what we connected data centers with just a decade or two ago.” That shift makes VPS a stronger option than it used to be.
Here is a quick breakdown of what typically fits best:
- Small business website: VPS, for cost and simplicity
- Growing SaaS product: VPS, then scale to dedicated later
- Database-heavy app: Dedicated server, for consistent speed
- Game server: VPS, unless player counts get very large
Summary
In every situation, neither choice is superior to the other. Everything impacts the optimal selection, including the scale of the project, traffic patterns, and all growth plans. Scale from what works now when the numbers really demand it.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Aminu Maida, has reemphasised the need to protect the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure, especially fibre networks, noting that damage to fibre networks carries significant economic consequences.
Speaking virtually at the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Critical Conversation Forum on Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) in Lagos recently, he described FTTH as a critical enabler of Nigeria’s digital future.
“FTTH is uniquely positioned to meet Nigerians' next phase of data demand. The quality of our broadband will increasingly shape the competitiveness of our businesses, the growth of our digital industry and the opportunities available to our citizens,” the NCC chief stated.
“We must uphold deployment standards. Nigeria needs fibre that is properly installed, properly documented, and properly protected,” Mr Maida further said at the event themed Fibre to the Home in Nigeria: Addressing Challenges, Strengthening Standards and Ensuring Sustainable Deployment.
During a panel discussion titled Policy, Governance and Regulatory Alignment, the Deputy Director of Strategic Business Initiatives at ipNX, Mr Segun Okuneye, highlighted the need for stronger collaboration across the telecommunications ecosystem to unlock the full potential of fibre broadband in Nigeria.
According to him, sustainable fibre deployment extends beyond technology and investment to include policy consistency, stakeholder alignment, infrastructure protection, and shared responsibility.
“Achieving universal fibre connectivity requires more than deploying infrastructure; it requires sustained collaboration between operators, regulators, government agencies and host communities.
“When policies are aligned, deployment standards are consistently enforced, and critical infrastructure is protected, we create an environment where investment thrives and more Nigerians can enjoy reliable, high-speed broadband.
“At ipNX, we remain committed to working with all stakeholders to build resilient digital infrastructure that will support Nigeria’s economic growth for generations to come.”
Earlier in his welcome address, ATCON President, Mr Tony Emoekpere, underscored the strategic importance of FTTH in achieving the country’s broadband penetration targets while calling for greater public awareness around protecting communications infrastructure.
“This forum is critical because Fibre-to-the-Home is the technology that will enable the country to achieve full broadband penetration. We all depend on communication infrastructure, and it must be protected,” he declared.
Drawing a comparison with power infrastructure in the country, he added, “If somebody comes to your neighbourhood to tamper with your transformer or power cables, everybody will come out. The same thing needs to apply for communications infrastructure. When we see people damaging fibre cables, we should raise an alarm.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Thursday, July 23, 2026, provided an opportunity for financial services professionals to converge on Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, to brainstorm on ways to meet the rising customers’ expectations.
The platform used for this purpose was Core by Interswitch. It is part of the company’s broader commitment to strengthening Africa’s digital payments ecosystem by fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and operational excellence across the financial services value chain.
At the event, participants, numbering over 400, also highlighted the growing importance of operational excellence in sustaining resilient payment infrastructure.
As digital financial services continue to expand across Africa, closer collaboration among financial institutions, fintechs and payment service providers will be essential to improving responsiveness, resolving operational challenges more effectively and delivering consistently reliable customer experiences.
The Executive Vice President for Operations and Technology at Interswitch, Mr Babafemi Ogungbamila, said the forum reflects the company’s belief that exceptional customer experiences are built not only on innovative technology but also on the expertise, collaboration and commitment of the professionals who keep payment systems running every day.
“Every successful digital transaction is powered by professionals whose work often goes unseen but is fundamental to building trust in digital payments. Core by Interswitch was created to recognise their contribution, strengthen collaboration across the industry and create opportunities for shared learning that ultimately benefit financial institutions and the customers they serve.
“As digital payments continue to evolve, investing in the people and processes that power the technology is just as important as investing in the technology itself,” Mr Ogungbamila said.
Beyond recognising the professionals whose work often goes unnoticed, the programme underscored the value of creating stronger connections across the payments ecosystem.
By creating a dedicated platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and professional development, Core by Interswitch aims to build a more connected community of payments operations professionals equipped to respond to the evolving demands of the digital economy.
