Liquor giant, KWV, is having the latest "plug-and-play" technology installed at its Boland offices. The installation is part of a three-year plan to bring the dynamic worldwide trading company up-to-date with technology that is compatible with both their budget, and their existing system.
Solutions provider, Enterprise Connection, ruled out the use of thin client terminals, after much testing, as it did not believe it would be economically viable for KWV to go this route. Instead, it drew up a course of action that will see KWV improve its efficiency and bring the company in line with modern expertise.
Jan Woudberg, Network Services Manager for KWV, said that the new system would mean faster access to management information for KWV. He added that Enterprise Connection has been integrally involved and supportive throughout this lengthy planning phase, and KWV was looking forward to building on the existing relationship between the two companies.
Year one, which will cost KWV R2.5 million, sees the upgrade of the SAP section of the network. The new Gigabit Ethernet runs at a speed of 1 000 megabits per second. An Enterasys, chassis-based Matrix E5, is at the core of the network, and will give KWV full redundancy.
Installation of 125 HP e-pcs, powerful enough to handle the new graphic user interfaces, will bring some impressive benefits to users. One of which is security, as no one will be able to remove cables or steal the unit, without unlocking it from the network. Efficiency is another, as the "plug-and-play", 32MB USB Memory Key comes standard with each system. A user simply plugs this key into their computer, downloads the information, unplugs the key (which can be attached to a key ring) and takes it wherever they need to. The unit is also very quiet and cost-effective.
Years two and three will see an upgrade to the network operating system, a re-evaluation of the thin client, and installation of more HP PCs.
Enterprise Connection`s GM, Johan de Villiers, concludes: "KWV is one of the few companies that have successfully aligned a dynamic IT strategy with their core business focus, enabling them to reap the benefit of a more effective switched LAN infrastructure and a tangible return on their investment for their shareholders."
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