Affinity Logic teams with Dimension Data for effective customer connectivity

Affinity Logic has rolled out a purpose-built network to its retail customers, designed to prioritise application response times, reduce costs and effectively utilise available bandwidth.

As Affinity Logic`s IT partner in the project, Dimension Data assisted with all stages of the project from design to ongoing management and maintenance of the R6 million RetailNet project.

The MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) network is the first of its kind in KwaZulu-Natal and one of only a handful in SA.

Shaun Houghton, RetailNet Executive at Affinity Logic, says the decision to construct a purpose-built network was made because the existing structure did not meet quality of service requirements such as prioritising application response times, a key issue.

"Traditional networks are unable to prioritise certain applications and tend to become swamped by e-mail and Internet browsing while mission-critical retail applications such as SAP Retail and Purchase Order Management are adversely affected.

"Using Cisco router and switching technologies, enabled us to create virtual private networks (VPNs) at customer sites at much lower costs than before, as a result valuable bandwidth are utilised in the most effective manner," says Houghton.

Anita Hamilton-Williams, account manager at Dimension Data in KwaZulu-Natal, says the aggressive time in terms of roll-out was met because the network was initially configured at a Cisco Performance, Design and Verification Centre in the US.

"Engineers from Dimension Data, and Shaun Houghton, flew there to undertake performance and stress tests giving Affinity Logic an insight into the potential and scalability of its network. We then started physical implementation in May and were able to complete the national roll-out by August," says Hamilton-Williams.

Positive feedback from customers has already been received by Affinity Logic. Houghton says as the company is retail focused, it understands the business requirements. These include not having a "slow-down" over the Christmas period when most IT companies operate on skeleton staff only, as well as being sensitive to the retail sector`s critical costing criteria.

In addition to the improved network structure, a series of value-added services such as Internet access, e-mail service, EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and credit card checking facilities as well as other pertinent services are offered by the company. As these services all run off the network backbone, the highest possible uptime level is crucial.

Houghton says Dimension Data was selected to partner in the design and implementation of the new network based on its depth of expertise, track record and the ability to deliver on the project in time and within budget as well as to control and support the ongoing running of the network.