Following on the success of a recent storage area network (SAN) solution by Dimension Data at Engen Refinery south of Durban, the petrol company has now upgraded this infrastructure with the addition of Compaq SAN equipment, servers and desktops at a cost of R3.5 million.
It is phase two of a three phase project, implemented by Engen Refinery`s technology partner Dimension Data, designed to take full advantage of a total cost of ownership strategy and provide a flexible growth path protecting investment.
Since the deployment of the SAN structure, server online time has always been above 99.999% in a total integrated environment. The centralised nature allows for tighter physical security as well as more simplified management.
Neil Morgan, technical services manager at Engen Refinery, says the refinery embarked on a strategy of partnering with vendors rather than simply outsourcing and this has shown significant benefits. "Mutually we have found the partnership model to be more effective," he said.
Phase two has included implementing a Compaq Proliant 8500 eight processor SQL database server hosting nine databases. As opposed to running dedicated servers for each application, Engen Refinery chose to consolidate them on a single platform with a future view allowing better integration and support of the database information.
Applications on the single server range from access control to laboratory operations and business automation. Morgan says 100% of the refinery`s mission-critical operations have been centralised on the SAN.
Tiiu Excell, chief information technologist, says that in addition to upgrading the SAN a further R1.2 million was invested in Compaq desktops taking advantage of the three-year on-site warranty thereby again refreshing the total cost of ownership concept.
"Engen Refinery decided to standardise on Compaq for both its servers and desktops five years ago and this strategy has proven itself. The SAN supports 650 desktops which can be re-deployed as they reach their end of lifecycle to run as thin client desktops at the plant," she says.
Bruce Barrett, account manager at Dimension Data Network Services in KwaZulu-Natal, says the partnership with Engen Refinery extends to providing total hardware maintenance on the installed Compaq base as well as the network and application support.
"Engen Refinery is making extensive use of Dimension Data`s global support services. A remote Service Desk and three permanent on-site engineers provide first and second line support respectively while the Insite remote management service allows us to proactively support, report and evaluate Engen Refinery`s entire IT structure in a real-time, online environment," he says.
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Dimension Data Holdings plc (LSE: DDT), is a leading global technology company that represents a new category of systems integrator providing network and multi-channel e-Business solutions to deliver the complex integration and connectivity requirements of global corporations. Founded in 1983 as a specialist supplier of technology and services, Dimension Data`s strategy has evolved with the emergence of the intelligent network as the most important enabler in business today.
Dimension Data`s global presence combined with its expertise and extensive skills base in network infrastructure and e-business solutions environments enables its customers to ascend into the global marketplace through 100% connectivity and integration. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Dimension Data is a member of the FTSE 250 index, employs over 12 000 people and operates in over 30 countries on six continents. Dimension Data has achieved a three-year compound annual growth rate in US dollars of 73% in revenue and 36% in basic earnings per share. For more information, please go to www.didata.com.
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