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Kumba selects Datacentrix for assistance with Novell/Win2000 migration


Johannesburg, 27 Jan 2003

Infrastructure and IT solutions provider, Datacentrix, assisted Kumba Resources with the migration of its Novell file and print environment to the Windows 2000 platform at the company`s Zincor zinc refinery. In terms of this agreement, Datacentrix also supplied desktops, notebooks and servers to Kumba.

Having relied on Compaq Proliant servers since 1996, a server upgrade was required to ensure the servers could accommodate the new operating system.

"When we took the decision to migrate the whole of Kumba from Novell Netware 4.11 to Windows 2000, we also had to take our hardware into consideration, which meant an upgrade in the server environment," comments Chris Smith, Technical Architect, Kumba Resources Information Management.

"Given our history with Compaq and the quality of its servers, we opted to replace the old Compaq Proliant servers with Compaq S1000 NAS devices. Given the options, the Compaq S1000 NAS was the ideal product as it delivers storage at approximately R100 per megabyte, including the management of the storage as well as the surrounding hardware."

Datacentrix is a Novell and Microsoft partner, and familiar with migration procedures. "Datacentrix offered us a wealth of migration experience and expertise within these particular environments," comments Smith. "Having worked with them in the past, we are fully aware of their capabilities and assured of the skills they offer us."

With a month allocated to the Zincor pilot migration, Datacentrix ensured minimal user impact and reported an accumulated downtime of less than three hours. "Various checks were built into the system, enabling us to pre-empt system impact as well as prevent downtime," says Johann Doms, project manager at Datacentrix.

This migration also afforded Kumba the opportunity to reorganise and prioritise its document environment. The new file system operational at Zincor implements best practice and enhances performance. On the desktop side, Datacentrix was responsible for recreating user access to the new file servers, while also ensuring the correct print configurations.

In order to deem the project a success, IT staff at Kumba Resources` Zincor refinery and headquarters had to evaluate the migration. Once both parties were satisfied, Kumba started migration of its other campuses.

Smith estimates that the migration of the entire company will be completed by the end of February 2003, affecting a total of 3 700 users across the country. "Given the smooth transition at Zincor, the rigid timelines and the amount of users affected, Datacentrix will certainly be involved together with Kumba`s preferred IT supplier, AST, to ensure that Kumba sites undergo a successful migration in the months to come," he concludes.

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Kumba

Kumba Resources Ltd, one of the largest South African-based mining companies listed on the JSE Securities Exchange, is a focused metals and mining company with a diverse commodity portfolio consisting of iron ore, heavy minerals, coal, base metals and industrial minerals. For more information, visit www.kumbaresources.com.

Editorial contacts

Adriaan du Plessis
PR Connections
(011) 885 3141
datacentrix@pr.co.za
Johann Doms
Datacentrix Holdings
(012) 348 7555
jdoms@datacentrix.co.za