In a move emphasising an increased focus on embedding its own intellectual property in solutions, Dimension Data South Africa has launched an in-house-developed network traffic accounting solution.
Called iBOSS Keystone, the solution analyses centralised network traffic and enables quick, accurate rating and accounting of enterprise network usage, while providing customers with a comprehensive service component. This includes solution implementation, user training and ongoing support and maintenance.
iBOSS Keystone is a prime example of an how applications can be used to manage an intelligent network. In the application network environment, application and infrastructure components can be flexibly and seamlessly plugged together to create a platform for the ever-changing business processes.
Sean Taylor, general manager at Dimension Data Service Provider Solutions (SPS), says there`s a growing trend for enterprises to find ways in which traditional cost centres - such as IT departments - can be converted into profit centres. iBOSS Keystone enables a centralised IT department to charge corporate subsidiaries and departments for their utilisation of the enterprise network.
Traditionally, bills would simply be split between all users, resulting in smaller departments or departments with lower demands on the IT infrastructure subsidising larger workgroups as well as those with greater infrastructure needs.
"Dimension Data recognised the market demand for a secure, affordable accounting solution which could effectively cater for these needs. With our expertise in the telco arena, we were confident that we could meet this demand."
iBOSS Keystone is a robust offering with functionality including the ability to produce reports per user, apply rating formulas, measure network bandwidth, calculate how much data is transferred per user and bill accordingly.
iBOSS Keystone already has a proven track record having been successfully implemented and functional at Internet Solutions (IS), SA`s largest Internet service provider (ISP).
IS turned to Dimension Data SPS for a system capable of producing a monthly billing report for each of its over 1 000 hosted sites via the Customer Zone. This had to contain a total usage report per site per month, split into IP addresses, as well as a running tally. Itemised billing information from the raw data, on demand and chargeable, was also required.
"The success of this project made us realise that we had created a support system which could not only meet the needs of ISPs like Internet Solutions, but also financial services companies and any large organisations with a network which needs to cross-bill to departments or branches," says Taylor.
Dimension Data SPS is currently establishing a reseller channel which will take iBOSS Keystone to market. Full training will be provided to enable appointed channel partners to support the software.
Share
Dimension Data Holdings plc (LSE: DDT) is a leading global technology services company. It specialises in providing and managing IT solutions based upon a new architecture called the Application Network. These solutions enable businesses to evolve their IT infrastructures incrementally to reduce both capital and operational IT costs by removing systems duplication and inefficiency. At the same time, they help businesses create competitive advantage by enabling them to operate seamlessly and flexibly.
Application Network architectures are the result of the convergence of two previously separate areas of IT: application integration and network infrastructure. Dimension Data`s unusual combination of expertise in networking, application integration and global managed services makes it uniquely positioned to deliver these solutions, connecting devices, information, applications, business processes, people and organisations.
Dimension Data`s priority solutions address those areas in a client`s infrastructure where there is greatest duplication and waste and the opportunity for significant and immediate ROI. They include: security, storage, IPT, customer interactive services (CIS), service provider solutions (SPIS) and offshore resourcing.
Dimension Data, founded in 1983, had revenues of $2.4 billion in 2001 and operates in 30+ countries with over 9 500 employees.
Editorial contacts