In a drive to increase performance and communication of its network infrastructure, global semi-fabricator of aluminium products, Hulett Aluminium, has finalised a complete network infrastructure replacement, using a Cisco Ethernet.
The replacement is designed to improve both data transfer rates and scalability while also increasing the stability and redundancy capacity of the network.
"The solution offered was sound, the pricing structure very aggressive and the Cisco product set will take care of our growth well into the future," says George Webster of Hulett Aluminium.
At the end of last year, the company consolidated its ICT Infrastructure, and a new network implementation commenced in January this year. Hulett Aluminium replaced its complete network infrastructure for the plant because of a lack of support for the old technology, as well as a need for a scalable solution following a dramatic increase in users - now numbering about 600. The project has recently been completed successfully.
The implementation of the new network was a joint effort between Comparex Africa Support Services and Hulett Aluminium IT personnel. From the complex configuration of the Layer 3 core switching, to the cut over of users at the access layer, the collaboration of Comparex Africa and Hulett Aluminium staff ensured a timeous and well-executed implementation.
"The main challenge was that Hulett Aluminium is a 24x7 plant, so downtime became a crucial element around which we had to plan and have contingencies. Both networks were run in parallel, with partial cut over to the new network taking place in the evenings to minimise disruptions," says Chris Hutton, sales executive at Comparex Africa.
Hulett Aluminium`s core business applications are Oracle Financials, and Maximo for stores management and purchasing. Legacy systems run production planning and order management.
On support and training received so far, Webster says: "A joint approach to training was adopted. Hulett Aluminium and Comparex Africa staff received basic training on the equipment prior to the installation. We have learnt a lot more doing the installation itself. Backup technical support from Cisco has been only a phone call away."
Webster adds: "All changes have been documented and we are much better positioned, having a detailed mapping of our network. This will greatly improve the maintainability of the network."
Comparex Africa has among its manufacturing clients significant players in the market such as BHP Billiton and Mondi Kraft. Its knowledge and understanding of the manufacturing industry processes, experience in addressing the industry-specific ICT requirements and a proven ability to consolidate disparate networks into one, has added tremendous value to Hulett Aluminium`s project.
"We understand that the network is critical to their business," says Hutton. "Hulett Aluminium has been an account of ours for a number of years, and our staff members are an integral part of Hulett Aluminium`s ICT infrastructure support base."
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Firmly based in southern Africa, Hulett Aluminium is successfully challenging the aluminium industry paradigm that manufacturing enterprises need to be located close to end-users in high-cost regions of the world. The success of its strategy is underpinned by investment in state-of-the-art equipment and technology, together with a dynamic business methodology that is driven by an uncompromising focus on customer requirements. Appealing to a large and diverse market, much of Hulett Aluminium`s strength resides in its independence in an industry which is dominated by a few large integrated multinational producers.
To this end, we supply products with specifications and service levels that are compatible with the manufacturing requirements of customers, rather than viewing rolling and extrusion as mere conversion processes. Having built a formidable reputation as a globally competitive semi-fabricator of aluminium products, Hulett Aluminium is rolling out an ambitious growth strategy that is driven by the exacting needs of customers, the imperatives of developing downstream capacity, and the promotion of industrial growth in southern Africa. A progressive employment equity strategy plays a critical role in shaping the organisational culture and Hulett Aluminium`s leadership increasingly reflects the demographic profile of the region with 46% of middle and senior management levels being black. For more information, go to http://www.tongaat.co.za/divisions/aluminium_division.htm.
Comparex Africa
Comparex Africa is the leading integrator of ICT-based business solutions that make its clients more successful. Based on a strong customer-centric approach, Comparex Africa delivers technology-business solutions from the full range of competencies within its group that align its clients` strategic and operational business needs. Comparex Africa`s client-centric structure stems from its Systems Integration Model, a methodology that allows for flexibility and close client relationships. Offering business solutions that address all areas of its clients business, Comparex Africa services organisations within the corporate and large enterprise, government and parastatal markets as well as within the medium enterprise sector in all vertical markets.
As an organisation with its roots firmly embedded in Africa, Comparex Africa reflects a cultural diversity, relying on the unique contribution of each of its skilled employees to succeed. Transformation is an overriding business imperative for Comparex Africa and as such it has dedicated resources from across the organisation to drive employment equity, economic empowerment and social investment programmes.
For more information on Comparex Africa, visit www.comparexafrica.co.za.
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