case studyThe value ofoptimisation<strong>Integr8</strong> IT upgrades Gold Fields GhanaWORDS Donovan JacksonSometimes the pace of change is such that certain pocketsof an organisation get left behind, especially where growthis by acquisition or assimilation. This was more or lessthe case for mining giant Gold Fields’ Ghana operations,where underperforming and outdated Windows ServerOperating Systems and creaky old versions of MicrosoftExchange were among the company’s ageing systems.However, with systems integrator <strong>Integr8</strong> IT responsible forthe management, support and maintenance of its SouthAfrican information technology environment, Gold Fieldssoon sat down for a brainstorm session to see how it couldmodernise its Ghana offices and in so doing, reduce the costof management and improve business communication.According to Jan Roux, technical director at <strong>Integr8</strong> IT,the real issue with Goldfields Ghana’s ICT infrastructure wasone of high administrative costs across the mine’s multipleoperations in the West African nation. “The Ghana operationshad to be upgraded to Gold Fields’ standard infrastructureand messaging platform; in addition, with three differentinfrastructure and messaging systems in place, Gold Fields’Ghana IT division was experiencing difficulty in providing anintegrated, available, scalable and robust system to their userbase,” he explains.Keeping BusyWith the presence of outdated and incompatibletechnologies, administrators were constantly kept busysolving day-to-day failures. “There was also reducedefficiency of communication given the incompatibilitiesbetween older systems and the new ones used at other GoldFields offices,” he explains.A need was identified to action these issues. Strategysessions held in South Africa in 2007 attracted theparticipation of all Gold Fields International IT managers,IBM, <strong>Integr8</strong> IT and Microsoft.Roux says a conceptual infrastructure solution was draftedand presented. “With all parties agreeing on the overalldirection of the proposed strategy and technical solution,Gold Fields requested IBM and <strong>Integr8</strong> IT to provide abusiness case for how to solve the issues the company faced.”With its proven capability in handling the SouthAfrican Gold Fields infrastructure, Roux says thecompany had the confidence to request that <strong>Integr8</strong>IT upgrade its current environment, starting withActive Directory services and Exchange 2003 for allGhana sites. “This resulted in a common integration andconnectivity capability in Ghana and across all SouthAfrican operations,” he notes.The ProjectThe scope of the project included the planning, testingand deployment of a highly available, scalable androbust Advanced Infrastructure and messaging platform.Microsoft Identity Integration Server(MIIS) 2003 wasdeployed to provide Global Address List synchronisationbetween Ghana and South African operations. “This wasdone by leveraging of the existing MIIS infrastructuredeployed in South Africa,” says Roux.In implementing a single Standardized Active Directoryinfrastructure and messaging platform for all Ghanasites that caters for growth and meets strategic businessrequirements, Roux says <strong>Integr8</strong> IT applied theMSF (Microsoft Solutions Framework), which he saysprovides for predictable outcomes.“Creating meaningful business solutions on time andwithin budget requires a proven approach. MSF is adaptableand allows for the successful delivery of solutions faster,requiring fewer people, and involving less risk, whileenabling higher quality results,” he says.AS a result of <strong>Integr8</strong>IT’s intervention, Gold Fields Ghanatoday has a considerably simpler, standardised environment.Says Roux: “There is the immediate benefit that the Ghanaoperations can now interact with the rest of the Gold Fieldsworld. At the same time, the burden on administratorsis substantially reduced, allowing for strategic IT inputinstead of a reactive approach. And with <strong>Integr8</strong>IT providingongoing support and maintenance from our Nerve Centre,Gold Fields can also be sure that the infrastructure in Ghanais as effective in a year’s time as it is today.” BJan Roux, technical director at <strong>Integr8</strong>30
integr8at a glanceFounded: 2001Recent awards and accoladesCEOs:Robert Sussman andLance FanaroffDirectors:Jan Roux (Technical)Bennie Strydon (Sales)Tamara Sussman (Regional)Website:www.integr8it.comNational offices:Johannesburg17 Scott StreetWaverly2090Highview House“Each monthBracknellRG12 1DFthere is a substantialcompoundedSuite 200Scottsdaleincrease.” ArizonaTelephone: +27 11 555 9300Fax: +27 11 555 9301 85260Ray Schur, Chief Financial OfficerTel: (480) 603-9400Cape TownThe Equinox3rd floorMain RoadSea Point8005Telephone: +27 21 439 9986Fax: +27 21 439 9983Durban3 Hollwood ParkLa Lucia Ridge4001Telephone: +27 31 566 4800Fax: +27 31 566 4801International offices:United KingdomTel: +44 (0) 207 164 2174United States of America» African ICT Achievers Awards – MostInnovative ICT Company– Winner» Technology – Top100 Company» National Business Award – Innovation ThoughTechnology – 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 SectorCIO – Winner» African ICT Achievers Award – ICT WorkplaceProvider – 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 – Winner32
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