As Head of ICT at Dutoit Agri, Pieter Schikkerling faced a major challenge — keeping a fast-growing, high-output agricultural business connected and efficient. With an annual output of up to 10 million boxes of fruit, Dutoit Agri is a major player in South Africa’s fruit industry. Keeping their sites across the Western and Eastern Cape, as well as Gauteng, connected is crucial to maintaining this scale of operation.
When Pieter joined Dutoit Agri, connectivity issues were putting the business at risk. With 90% of farms running on sluggish 4 Mbps connections — and some relying on just 512 Kbps — day-to-day operations were constantly disrupted. Even the head office and main packhouse shared a 40 Mbps connection, far too limited for a business of Dutoit Agri’s scale.
“Agriculture is fast becoming all about smart farming and an increasing pressure to keep up with the developments in this space in South Africa. Dutoit Agri is invested in transforming the business in this way and internet connectivity is at the heart of this.”
Determined to improve connectivity, Pieter created a five-year ICT strategy focused on building stronger partnerships with key service providers. The goal was to find a partner who could adapt to Dutoit Agri’s growing demands. That partner proved to be Herotel Business, which stepped in to deliver where other providers couldn’t — investing in vital infrastructure to improve connectivity in underserved areas.
“A big part of our journey with Herotel Business, from day one, has been their investment and support in terms of infrastructure in the areas in which we operate. From building towers in Koue Bokkeveld to tackling cable theft and weather damage, they’ve played a crucial role.”
As Pieter introduced cloud-based solutions for business intelligence, communication, and ERP systems, the need for reliable connectivity became even more critical. Herotel Business’s role grew alongside Dutoit Agri’s digital transformation — ensuring connectivity solutions scaled with the company’s expanding needs.
“I always say to the teams I work with, ‘let common sense prevail,’ and thankfully Herotel Business had this in spades. What I love about them is that I can approach them at any time with concerns and they are open, able, and willing to solve problems creatively. They can see when a solution is not working and how to tackle it in a better way.”
To support Dutoit Agri’s continued growth, Herotel Business delivered a business-grade solution that included enhanced monitoring, SLAs, a dedicated account manager, and specialised helpdesk support. This proactive approach ensured Dutoit Agri’s growing workforce could rely on seamless connectivity to keep operations running smoothly.
“Diversifying service providers has its place, but after 25 years in this field, I’ve seen countless promises that don’t materialise. Massive ISPs often lack flexibility, but Herotel Business has delivered on everything they have committed to.”
With a clear ICT strategy built on standardisation, simplification, and automation, Pieter continues to lead Dutoit Agri’s digital evolution. By combining smart farming practices with a trusted partner like Herotel Business, Dutoit Agri is well-positioned to thrive in an increasingly digital agricultural landscape.
