Telecommunicaceos de Mocambique (TDM), which provides almost all of Mocambique`s telecommunications requirements, has upgraded its billing system hardware platform to cater for an anticipated 100% growth in the number of subscribers over the next three years.
TDM has contracted long-term IT solutions partner CCH Enterprise Solutions to beef up its network and upgrade its existing Unix-based HP9000 model K210 systems to the more powerful HP9000 model K370. Running the Girafe billing and Oracle Financial systems, the servers will support TDM`s anticipated 80 000 extra subscribers which will be added to the existing 80 000.
The growth in the subscriber base - teledensity is up from 0,36 per 100 inhabitants in 1993 to 0,47 - is being driven by the reconstruction of the Mocambique economy, and embraces most areas of telecommunications. TDM covers 60% of the country. Its core business is the provision of fixed-line and mobile GSM services, data lines, public phones and Internet access, cable TV, frame relay, paging, directory books and consulting, ISDN and videotext.
Antonio de Sousa, TDM Client Services Director, says smooth-running IT is critical to the company`s growth. "It helps us control our finance, HR and customer billing. We are constantly challenged to be competitive, provide improved service and to support TDM`s growth, and strong supporting systems are vital. In this regard our servers and network are mission-critical, supporting more than 600 employees."
Previously, TDM had experienced a long gap between service concept and delivery, says De Sousa. "We went through a long review process, considering our global positioning, our lack of international knowhow, and the need to become more business-oriented. From this we developed a new strategy in terms of which IT has a new position and a new vision to support user needs. Today our IT systems can fulfil the new, extended needs of the company, the users and the new services." Average installation waiting time has decreased from 14 months in 1993 to six months last year, and the telecoms operator is aiming for continued improvement.
CCH adds great value to the IT systems, notes De Sousa. "We have contracted with CCH for their Platinum-level service level agreement, which ensures we strive towards 24x7x365 uptime. CCH provides other value-added services such as monthly analysis and recommended improvements and all remote maintenance, and, in the event of problems, dispatches support technicians on the first available flight."
CCH also provided a network infrastructure which today supports TdM`s intranet, assisting with its business support functions: users have a clear and concise view of customers, as all customer information resides on the intranet.
Manuel Teixeira, GM for the HP Business Unit at CCH Enterprise Solutions, says the latest upgrade is endorsement of the scalability of HP`s architecture. "Our clients want their systems to grow with them," says Teixeira. "TDM has been able to protect its investments made since 1996, and ensure its IT is aligned with its overall business objectives."
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