Sanlam Personal Finance (SPF) has outsourced its Database Administration Function to AST Cape, a member of the AST Group, for a period of five years. The value of the contract is R15 million.
The contract includes the provision and support of the production environment from a Database Management System (DBMS) perspective. This involves providing, supporting and maintaining the production and development of the database systems.
"This will ensure the availability, stability, security and integrity of the user-data that resides in these databases," says Paul Liversage, Regional Director of AST Cape. "A large amount of the team`s time will also go into the support of - and consultation to - the development project teams."
"The selection of AST took place on the basis that they have an established DBA capability. The value through the experience gained within the wider community would ensure that SPF will be assured of a world-class service with the capacity for continuous improvement," concluded Leon Watkins, Chief Information Officer of SPF.
In addition to direct access to the AST technical staff (combined with the existing DBA team), AST offers Sanlam extensive contract and consulting skills, and "permanent resident" skills related to database management, allowing AST to manage the peaks and valleys of a dynamic business environment with many different approaches.
"It also differentiates AST from its competitors as this flexibility allows us to adapt to the typical pressures of a DBA function," adds Liversage.
For this contract, AST has chosen Time Quantum Technology (TQT) as its business partner. The partnership with TQT will offer considerable value in on-site knowledge and relevant technological skills. By complementing its own skills base, AST is offering Sanlam a crucial difference in the delivery of its DBA requirements.
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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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