JSE Securities Exchange-listed Faritec has installed a R13 million upgrade to Absa Group`s data warehouse. The additional server and disk storage will provide the capacity to analyse and disseminate vital information to various business areas. These include business unit performance management, customer relationship management and input into planning future business strategies and scenarios.
"The re-engineering of the data warehouse was identified as a priority during Absa`s IT Transformation Project, as a result of anticipated exponential growth in information requirements over the next few years. The re-engineering of the data warehouse is a strategic positioning initiative as Absa moves closer to real-time data staging," says Colleen Velleman, an enterprise architect at Absa.
The data warehouse was originally implemented on a single IBM SP2 Unix-based server running the Oracle database, and an in-house-developed data staging system. In the third quarter of 2000, Absa introduced a second server, an IBM S80, to move to a two-tier application and database server physical architecture.
The new hardware from Faritec consists of the pSeries 680 server (previously known as an S85), one in the range of IBM`s recently announced eSeries unified range of servers. Faritec has also installed 6TB of IBM ESS, or Shark, storage.
Absa`s existing IBM S80 has been configured together with the pSeries 680, for significant gains in capacity. This replaces the SP2 server, resulting in a configuration that provides the data warehouse with a robust infrastructure to support future information management initiatives. Analytics, run on the data warehouse, will provide a near real-time view of business activities.
Strict data management disciplines, made possible by this additional capacity, have been implemented. The upgraded platform provides a new data staging system as the interface between the data warehouse and the transactional systems. The first-wave data warehouse rebuild includes the development of data marts that will support data mining, data modelling and the generation of more than 300 scheduled reports and 200-plus ad-hoc reports for specific business units.
The upgrade was installed in April and the new configuration is undergoing stringent tests. Final implementation is set for October. The data warehouse supports a broader customer orientation by Absa, including customer segmentation, identification of cross-selling opportunities and management of customer attrition.
"This upgrade positions Absa to rapidly scale and grow," says Velleman. "Future plans include analysis of Internet and telephone banking customer activity, and the integration of our campaign management software onto the new platform. Our users will access the data warehouse using exploitation and dissemination tools. With accessible real-time data, power users can be proactive in servicing customers and identifying opportunities. This will enable the devolution of responsibilities and leveraging of both technology and human capital."
"The infrastructure has to support large volumes of data. Continuity of service becomes vital in an operational environment," says Steve Moriarty, Faritec account executive. "IBM`s pSeries copper-silicon Power processors result in increased processing speed. Combined with the S80, they provide a single virtual and logical overall system, improving performance and easing management. Failover features ensure business continuity."
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Faritec, a leading, profitable IT company listed on the JSE, provides managed business and technology infrastructure solutions that are based on the O-system. This approach combines intellectual capital, resources, technology and business processes to provide tailor-made IT solutions. The company focuses on three major business areas; these include outsourcing including contracting, infrastructure, and inter-company processes with the objective of assisting customers to manage their businesses more effectively.
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