AST Distributed Technology Services (AST DTS), a business unit of the AST Group, achieved a world-first in Active Directory migration at this year`s Microsoft Tech-Ed conference held at Sun City.
AST DTS successfully migrated just over 1 million users on a test bed production simulation system within three days. This migration was executed in conjunction with multiple partners. Utilising NetIQ migration solutions provided by SourceTech, as well as Microsoft and Stratus, AST DTS migrated the users from Windows NT4 to Active Directory over the duration of the conference.
"Attempts like this can only be successful if the correct methodologies and processes, for example, MOF (Microsoft Operations Framework and MSF (Microsoft Solutions Framework) are utilised," explains AST DTS Technology Director, Pieter du Toit.
"Fortunately, AST DTS had the necessary skills and the forward-thinking required for this record-breaking migration."
"The attempt to migrate a record number of users within a limited time-frame of three days was a world-first," adds Du Toit. "As innovators of technology, AST DTS always strives to push technology to its limits with the benefits to our clients always at the forefront of our minds."
AST DTS technology partners in the record migration attempt included Stratus Technologies with its ftServer, which provided the symmetric multi-processor (SMP) fault-tolerant platform for running Active Directory, and SourceTech providing the Net IQ migration software.
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In just three years, the AST Group has established itself as one of the leading information and communication technology companies on the JSE Securities Exchange. Its consistent creation of value for shareholders, clients and employees has resulted in a steady increase in monthly revenue to the R100 million plus mark.
AST is now the fourth largest South African IT company by market capitalisation, and is one of the top three in terms of physical infrastructure (mainframes, servers, desktops, and networks under management) and geographical footprint with over 62 physical locations.
Counting almost 90% of the top 100 JSE-listed companies among its clients, the AST Group services mostly large corporate and government clients, but is increasingly offering services to rapidly evolving small and medium enterprises.
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