JSE listed storage expert, Maxtec Ltd, recently installed an IBM Enterprise Storage Server at leading dairy company, Clover S.A. (Pty) Ltd. Globally referred to as the `Shark`, this installation has improved the manufacturer`s storage solutions in line with world-class enterprises.
Amongst the world`s first companies (first in South Africa) to harness and merge the Shark with an AS/400, the configuration, setup and attachment of the system at Clover S.A. was supported by technical staff from Gauteng-based EdgeTec, a respected business partner of Maxtec. This was the ideal opportunity for EdgeTec, which specializes in iSeries (AS/400) to gain first hand knowledge from Maxtec on how to ensure optimal solution performance.
"With a turnover in excess of R2.3 billion, a staff complement of over 8100 employees and a business demanding top logistics, Clover S.A. needed a reliable IT storage and back-up system in order to maintain a smooth-running operation," explains Manie Cronje, manager of business continuity at Clover S.A.
During the development of our Capacity Plan, we recognised that although Clover S.A. had sufficient processing power to its disposal, our IT infrastructure did not harbour enough storage space.
In considering the Shark purchase, Clover S.A. had to weigh up compatibility, reliability, redundancy and flexibility in making their investment choice.
"Through the installation of Shark technology, we were able to consolidate and centralise our regional AS/400 and NT servers at our head office in Roodepoort, making it easier to allocate and manage our storage hardware optimally."
Since its international launch in June 1999, Shark has set the pace for a network-centric approach to storage, characterised by consolidation and the capability to address explosive growth without a corresponding increase in budgets widely associated with storage products.
For Clover S.A., the acclaimed `powerhouse product` provides heightened efficiency in remote management capabilities, effortless management of storage capacity, scalability and universal access across all business computing environments. A complete turnaround in IT storage management has been effected, moving across from a distributed environment to a consolidate environment.
The system has been designed to store data whilst simultaneously delivering performance, thereby not impacting on on-line time. "Through the Shark`s prime technology, Clover`s NT servers run, tangibly, three times faster; and with their upgrade to the `F-model`, their storage capacity has increased from 640 gigabytes to 1.6 terabytes. This assures around-the-clock storage reliability!" comments Maxtec Ltd account manager, Jannie van der Westhuizen.
In line with Maxtec`s `try & buy` sales policy, the initial E-model Shark system was installed in March 2000, with a firm order from Clover S.A. following the trial period of three months. The system proved to be not only technologically superior, but also cost-effective. Over the past twelve months, Clover S.A. has saved significantly in maintenance and upgrade expenditure, and of the 1,6TB that has been allocated across the various divisions, the company has already consumed 800GB.
Generically, Shark provides 420 gigabytes to over 11 terabytes of scaleable capacity with two four-way multiprocessors and a large cache, as well as additional nonvolatile memory. This is particularly suitable for organisations running server and storage consolidation activities, offering them unrivaled investment protection.
The flexibility and openness of the system is ensured by its ability to work with heterogeneous hosts such as Novell and NT as well as AS/ 400, and with a variety of interfaces including ESCON and Fibre Channel. Clover`s investment into their IT storage solutions holds significant potential for a long-term client relationship between themselves and Maxtec, with the maintenance of enterprise-class storage systems creating the opportunity for repeat orders via EdgeTec.
"We tend to take our modern-day conveniences such as fresh dairy products, for granted. In order to ensure a logistically cohesive business, consumer products such as those provided by Clover S.A. are reliant on the efficiencies technology can offer. We are proud to have played an active part in an implementation, which has brought about tangible business value to the company.
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Maxtec is South Africa`s industry leader in the provision of comprehensive IT storage and storage related services to all sectors of the economy. Their services include consulting, outsourcing, implementation, repair, maintenance, education and training.
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