National network integrator Integr8 IT has entered into a substantial contract to provide complete IT support and services for American Express Travel and The Seekers Travel Group, both of which form part of JSE-listed travel consortium Tourvest.
According to the deal, Integr8 IT will make its national proactive support and services, intellectual capital, and collaborative supply of knowledge management available to both companies.
"Both parties currently run two separate and totally independent network infrastructures. Moving forward, we envisage a further requirement to merge these two networks from a back-office perspective, while still maintaining the identity of the Seekers and Amex brands. The companies will benefit from a single consolidated IT support solution as opposed to the two separate helpdesk, support teams and isolated service level agreements. The nature of the travel industry dictates that the stability, redundancy and general network performance and health is a critical foundation to ensure superior deliverables," explains Robert Sussman, director at Integr8 IT.
Tourism Investment Corporation Limited (Tourvest) is southern Africa`s pre-eminent tourism group, partnering the leading entrepreneurs and brands in the region. It operates in both the inbound and outbound markets with a comprehensive range of products and services covering all of a traveller`s needs.
The deal allows for both travel specialists to concentrate on their core focus while allowing for Integr8 IT to take sole responsibility and accountability for the infrastructure. This, coupled with a consolidated outsource has, in the past, proven to provide substantial financial benefit and at the same time, allowed for the implementation of a proactive delivery model.
Says Integr8 IT Manager, Christopher Young: "The successful merger and consolidation of the two IT departments has already had a profound impact on both sister companies. The synergies between the consolidated IT department has ensured that both IT infrastructures have been elevated to higher, more competitive, effective and efficient level. The proper planning and experience by Integr8 IT made certain that this transition went very smoothly and successfully."
"Integr8 IT will continue to ensure that American Express and the Seekers Travel Group remain constantly up-to-date with cutting-edge technology to ensure they retain a competitive advantage within the travel industry. With the negative impact caused by 11 September on the entire travel industry worldwide, Integr8 IT continues to ensure that the two major groups decrease their overall IT costs, while at the same time increasing the return on their IT investment and respective IT infrastructures," continues Young.
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Integr8 IT (Pty) Ltd is a wholly owned network technology services and solutions company in southern Africa. Based in SA, the company employs a wealth of highly skilled and certified system engineers who are directly involved in high level consulting, support and integration.
With offices located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and representation in Port Elizabeth, East London and Port Elizabeth, Integr8 IT spans nationally across Southern Africa and Africa continent. It has the people and expertise to plan, deploy, manage and maintain an information technology environment.
Whether a client seeks better control of its networked environment or is in need of practical solutions, complex or simple, Integr8 IT provides the answers with enhanced information technology services.
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