SCAW Metals, a division of Anglo Operations Limited, has just optimised its IT infrastructure by implementing the IXOS data archiving system from Datacentrix Infrastructure Optimisation, part of JSE-listed Datacentrix Holdings.
A few years ago, SCAW Metals took its growth forecasts into account and anticipated the need to create more database space. "We then started carefully evaluating data archiving and the various available solutions to manage this growth," says SCAW Metals group IT manager Chris Rheeder.
At its head office in Germiston, Gauteng, SCAW Metals decided to implement IXOS Archive, which is solely represented in Southern Africa by Datacentrix Infrastructure Optimisation
"We planned that the implementation of a data archiving system would take place once we upgraded from SAP 3.0 to SAP 3.1i to reduce the R/3`s database size," explains Rheeder. "This upgrade was performed in-house in August 2000 and, in September 2000 we began the implementation of the IXOS optical archiving system. Since the implementation, we have already observed a marked improvement in system performance, speed and efficiency."
He itemised why SCAW Metals chose the IXOS Software/Datacentrix Infrastructure Optimisation solution.
"Firstly, it enabled us to optimise our existing infrastructure, by reducing space occupied on the database. As a result, this has significantly extended the interval between our last hardware upgrade and the next, improving the cost-effectiveness of our IT hardware infrastructure," explains Rheeder.
"There is also a large installed base of IXOS Software in SA and the product`s success and compatibility with SAP has been proved worldwide.
"Datacentrix Infrastructure Optimisation, the sole representative of IXOS Software in Southern Africa, has extensive experience with supplying, installing and supporting the product, and we have confidence in their capabilities as they provide a total solution, in terms of both software and hardware," he says.
"Another benefit of using IXOS Archive is that it can run on a broad variety of operating systems, including most flavours of Unix. SCAW Metals runs on Siemens Unix and IXOS can co-exist with our R/3 platform and very ably cater for our unique business structure," adds Rheeder.
IXOS Archiving also gives SCAW Metals scope for implementing imaging, workflow and outgoing document archiving. Now that SCAW Metals has completed the data archiving implementation of IXOS Archive, options for commencing an imaging and workflow projects to enhance response times to customers could be looked at.
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The primary site and head office of SCAW Metals is located in Germiston, Gauteng. The company was established in 1937 and manufactures castings for the mining, general engineering, transportation and power generation industries and rolled steel products. Scaw also manufactures, through its wholly owned Haggie and McKinnon Chain operations, a range of wire rope, wire strand and chain products for the mining and construction industries.
Datacentrix Infrastructure Optimisation
Datacentrix Infrastructure Optimisation, part of the JSE-listed IT group Datacentrix Holdings, has been providing IT infrastructure optimisation solutions for the top 200 South African companies since 1992.
Datacentrix Infrastructure Optimisation offers electronic business integration, document and data management and network storage integration services. The electronic business integration division integrates processes on disparate platforms and optimises resources, while the document and data management division focuses on SAP and Microsoft Exchange environments.
The network storage integration division provides software, hardware and consulting services to large companies implementing enterprise-wide data storage solutions. In these spaces, Datacentrix Infrastructure Optimisation represents major software solution vendors, such as ADIC, Computer Associates, IXOS, Landmark Systems, Sterling Commerce, Veritas and XcelleNet.
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