SPECIAL FOCUS - Integr8 Group

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case study The value of optimisation Integr8 IT upgrades Gold Fields Ghana WORDS Donovan Jackson Sometimes the pace of change is such that certain pockets of an organisation get left behind, especially where growth is by acquisition or assimilation. This was more or less the case for mining giant Gold Fields’ Ghana operations, where underperforming and outdated Windows Server Operating Systems and creaky old versions of Microsoft Exchange were among the company’s ageing systems. However, with systems integrator Integr8 IT responsible for the management, support and maintenance of its South African information technology environment, Gold Fields soon sat down for a brainstorm session to see how it could modernise its Ghana offices and in so doing, reduce the cost of management and improve business communication. According to Jan Roux, technical director at Integr8 IT, the real issue with Goldfields Ghana’s ICT infrastructure was one of high administrative costs across the mine’s multiple operations in the West African nation. “The Ghana operations had to be upgraded to Gold Fields’ standard infrastructure and messaging platform; in addition, with three different infrastructure and messaging systems in place, Gold Fields’ Ghana IT division was experiencing difficulty in providing an integrated, available, scalable and robust system to their user base,” he explains. Keeping Busy With the presence of outdated and incompatible technologies, administrators were constantly kept busy solving day-to-day failures. “There was also reduced efficiency of communication given the incompatibilities between older systems and the new ones used at other Gold Fields offices,” he explains. A need was identified to action these issues. Strategy sessions held in South Africa in 2007 attracted the participation of all Gold Fields International IT managers, IBM, Integr8 IT and Microsoft. Roux says a conceptual infrastructure solution was drafted and presented. “With all parties agreeing on the overall direction of the proposed strategy and technical solution, Gold Fields requested IBM and Integr8 IT to provide a business case for how to solve the issues the company faced.” With its proven capability in handling the South African Gold Fields infrastructure, Roux says the company had the confidence to request that Integr8 IT upgrade its current environment, starting with Active Directory services and Exchange 2003 for all Ghana sites. “This resulted in a common integration and connectivity capability in Ghana and across all South African operations,” he notes. The Project The scope of the project included the planning, testing and deployment of a highly available, scalable and robust Advanced Infrastructure and messaging platform. Microsoft Identity Integration Server(MIIS) 2003 was deployed to provide Global Address List synchronisation between Ghana and South African operations. “This was done by leveraging of the existing MIIS infrastructure deployed in South Africa,” says Roux. In implementing a single Standardized Active Directory infrastructure and messaging platform for all Ghana sites that caters for growth and meets strategic business requirements, Roux says Integr8 IT applied the MSF (Microsoft Solutions Framework), which he says provides for predictable outcomes. “Creating meaningful business solutions on time and within budget requires a proven approach. MSF is adaptable and allows for the successful delivery of solutions faster, requiring fewer people, and involving less risk, while enabling higher quality results,” he says. AS a result of Integr8IT’s intervention, Gold Fields Ghana today has a considerably simpler, standardised environment. Says Roux: “There is the immediate benefit that the Ghana operations can now interact with the rest of the Gold Fields world. At the same time, the burden on administrators is substantially reduced, allowing for strategic IT input instead of a reactive approach. And with Integr8IT providing ongoing support and maintenance from our Nerve Centre, Gold Fields can also be sure that the infrastructure in Ghana is as effective in a year’s time as it is today.” B Jan Roux, technical director at Integr8 30
integr8 at a glance Founded: 2001 Recent awards and accolades CEOs: Robert Sussman and Lance Fanaroff Directors: Jan Roux (Technical) Bennie Strydon (Sales) Tamara Sussman (Regional) Website: www.integr8it.com National offices: Johannesburg 17 Scott Street Waverly 2090 Highview House “Each month Bracknell RG12 1DF there is a substantial compounded Suite 200 Scottsdale increase.” Arizona Telephone: +27 11 555 9300 Fax: +27 11 555 9301 85260 Ray Schur, Chief Financial Officer Tel: (480) 603-9400 Cape Town The Equinox 3rd floor Main Road Sea Point 8005 Telephone: +27 21 439 9986 Fax: +27 21 439 9983 Durban 3 Hollwood Park La Lucia Ridge 4001 Telephone: +27 31 566 4800 Fax: +27 31 566 4801 International offices: United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 207 164 2174 United States of America » African ICT Achievers Awards – Most Innovative ICT Company– Winner » Technology – Top100 Company » National Business Award – Innovation Though Technology – Finalist » IBM – Outsourcing Partner of the Year » Advanced Infrastructure Solutions – Winner » Customer Eperience Initiative – Winner » Networking Infrastructure Solutions – Winner » Winning customer initiative – Winner » Networking infrastructure solutions – Winner » Absa entrepreneur of the year 2007 – Finalist » SA’s top performing company for 2007 – Topco Media » IT Personality of the Year – Finalist » Top Empowered Company in SA 2006/7 – Finalist » TOP ICTe Company » African ICT Achievers Award – Top Private Sector CIO – Winner » African ICT Achievers Award – ICT Workplace Provider – Finalist » Microsoft Gold Partner of the Year – Winner » Global Small Business Partner of the Year – Worldwide Winner » Security Partner of the Year for Middle East, Africa, & Eastern Europe – Winner 32
Page 1 and 2: special focus an independent report
Page 3 and 4: 4 Keeping it real By Samantha Perry
Page 5 and 6: OVERVIEW keeping it real “Each mo
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