TeleCommunication Systems opens Johannesburg office

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland and JOHANNESBURG — TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) has opened a new sales office located in Johannesburg, South Africa. This office will be the focal point of the company’s marketing and sales activities throughout Africa.

Jay Whitehurst, senior vice president, Commercial Software Group, said, “In recent years, we’ve intensified our focus on international expansion, particularly in Africa. By establishing a sales office in Johannesburg, we are able to demonstrate our strong commitment to this key market and provide an opportunity to showcase our location-based services and offer customers competitive platform solutions.”

TCS has hired Andy Minnaar to serve as managing director of the new office, where he will be responsible for the operation and sales of the company’s complete line of commercial software solutions, including Location-Based Services (LBS). Mr Minaar has more than a decade of communication technology and managerial experience in the African wireless sector, including in his previous position with Glenayre (acquired by Movius), where he spearheaded the company’s voice messaging business in Africa, and made Movius the preferred voice messaging partner to the largest network operator on the continent.

Brian McNealy, senior vice president, global commercial sales, said, “A logical next step for TeleCommunication Systems is to expand our activity into the African market, and we have asked Andy Minnaar to lead our efforts in that region. Andy has a strong background in the African mobile telecommunications industry and is a seasoned executive with a passion for innovation and finding the right solutions for customers. His experience will serve us well as we continue to expand our wireless solutions and platforms offerings into international markets.”

TeleCommunication Systems (NASDAQ: TSYS) is a global leader in high-reliability location-based services. It provides complete, end-to-end wireless LBS solutions that include both branded and private-label applications, infrastructure, mapping and content for leading consumer brands, content providers and voice service providers worldwide. The company provided the world’s first wireless location platform, and it is the industry’s leading provider of LBS infrastructure. It also pioneered the development of several wireless applications, including text messaging, Internet content and hyper-local search, public safety services (E9-1-1, E1-1-2), and other enhanced communication services.