Datatec`s professional services and network integration company, Logical, has secured a major contract to upgrade the IT network of Sheffield Hallam University in the UK. The agreement makes Logical one of Cisco`s largest partners in the Education sector.
The contract involves developing a fully resilient Gigabit/Switched Ethernet network capable of supporting e-learning, video-streaming and converged applications such as IP telephony.
Sheffield Hallam is one of the UK`s largest and most progressive universities, with almost 24 000 students and 3 000 staff. It invests significantly in the IT infrastructure that supports users located in three Sheffield campuses, as well as overseas students on distance learning programmes.
The upgrade resulted from a requirement to create a robust, resilient and scalable network capable of supporting many learning, research and web-enabled facilities. A key requirement was for a future-proof solution capable of supporting new IP-based converged applications. In addition, the university was looking for a long-term technology partner, rather than a basic customer-supplier relationship.
Logical won the contract with a solution based on Cisco`s Catalyst switch family, complemented by management and service assurance platforms to enhance network management and overall service delivery. The solution includes a comprehensive service and support package.
Sheffield Hallam University is one of a number of major contracts Logical has won for the design, deployment and support of significant higher education (HE) and public sector networks. Others include a contract to supply the infrastructure for the SuperJANET 4 broadband academic network, and wins with Welsh Networking Limited and Cambridge University. Logical`s IP capabilities and understanding of the HE sector proved important in successfully winning the contract.
John Hemingway, Chief Information Officer of Sheffield Hallam University, says: "Logical demonstrated an excellent understanding of our needs and was able to convince us of its commitment to a true partnership. Crucially, Logical was able to appreciate the challenges facing the university and demonstrate the potential of new IP applications while protecting our investment in existing technologies."
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Datatec is an international networking and IT services group with operations in Europe, North America, South America, Africa and the Asia Pacific region. The group generates more than 95% of its revenue in hard currency outside SA.
The group provides active management support in the strategic direction and operation of its subsidiaries and has three principal lines of business:
* Westcon, a global channel provider of advanced networking, security, data and voice communications and convergence products, based in the US and the largest distributor world-wide of equipment in this sector, with operations in many countries;
* Logical, an international professional services and IT network integration group headquartered in London and with operations in more than 10 countries; and
* Mason Group, a strategic telecommunications consultancy headquartered in the United Kingdom and focusing on European clients.
The group also has similarly focused operations in SA. These are Westcon AME, Affinity Logic and RangeGate.
For more information, please visit our Web site www.datatec.co.za.
Logical UK Ltd
Logical UK Ltd is the UK division of Logical Group, an international professional services and network integration company. Logical designs, deploys and manages IT solutions for organisations seeking to leverage technology to gain competitive advantage. Logical helps its clients to manage change through succeeding generations of technology to ensure their organisations succeed in this business cycle and the next. This philosophy is enshrined in the company tag line "enabling the next generation".
Logical Group`s international headquarters are in London. The group has revenues in excess of $400 million and employs more than 1 200 people located in 60 offices across operations in the UK and Europe, US, South America, Australia and New Zealand. Logical is a division of Datatec Ltd, an international networking and IT services company, listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) in SA.
For more information about Logical, please visit www.logical.com.