Threadneedle Investments, one of the UK`s largest asset management companies, has chosen Datatec`s professional services and IT network integration company, Logical UK, to specify, integrate and support a LAN infrastructure and IP telephony system covering four offices and more than 1 300 handsets.
"Logical has invested heavily in developing first-class skills in IP telephony, and it is great to see this investment pay dividends," says Alex Black, Managing Director of Logical Infrastructure.
"This is the third major contract we have won in recent weeks and our UK success has been mirrored by landmark contracts placed with Logical operations around the world."
The final value of the contract has not been disclosed, but comes shortly after Logical won a GBP14 million (R232 million) contract with Welsh Networking Limited, on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales, to provide a high-speed network that will deliver broadband Internet access to every county in Wales.
Based in London, Threadneedle Investments manages assets of more than lb47 billion for institutions and private investors, and regards innovative use of technology as part of its competitive advantage.
The new IP telephony implementation resulted from a review of the company`s existing voice infrastructure, which was becoming obsolete. Logical`s first challenge was to successfully implement a pilot project to prove the technology and its understanding of Threadneedle`s business.
This pilot led to the full implementation of a Cisco-based converged network, encompassing a LAN upgrade and a Cisco AVVID IP Telephony Voice Solution. The system includes Cisco`s Unity and Call Manager products integrated with Voice Recording products from Eyretel, and IP help desk/operator consoles from Arc.
"We didn`t want to spend money on old technology," said Phil Whittock, Project Manager, Threadneedle Asset Management. "A traditional PBX solution was a safe option, but it had limited return on investment and locked us into a proprietary solution. Adopting VOIP [voice over Internet Protocol] running over an upgraded LAN was more flexible; a better fit for our long-term strategy and would allow our business to grow without technological constraints," he said.
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Datatec is an international networking and IT services company with operations in many of the world`s leading economies. The group provides active management support in the strategic direction and operation of its subsidiaries and has three international networking focused lines of business:
- . Westcon is a global channel provider of advanced networking and Internet access products;
- . Logical is focused on the provision of professional services and IT network integration;
- . Mason is a strategic telecommunications consultancy.
By operating in the different stages of the networking supply chain, through these individually branded businesses, the group believes it can leverage its industry and technology position, deal more effectively with vendors, focus its management and harness its skills base as a sector specialist.
In addition, the group has a number of other operations in SA with similar focused business areas. These are Westcon AME, Affinity Logic and RangeGate.
The group operates on six continents and generates more than 95% of its revenue and profits outside SA.
Logical UK Ltd
Logical UK Ltd is a professional services and IT network integration company. With a technology focused services portfolio embracing Advisory Services, Application Integration, Network and Advanced IT Infrastructure Services and Managed Network Services, Logical shapes, designs, deploys and manages IT solutions for organisations seeking to leverage next generation technology for competitive advantage.
Logical is a division of Datatec Ltd, SA`s most global company, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange ("DTC"). With its international headquarters in London, Logical Group has revenues in excess of $500 million and employs approximately 1 200 people located in more than 60 offices in 10 countries across operations in the UK and Europe, US, South America, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, see www.uk.logical.com.
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