Mossgas, the state-owned gas-to-liquid fuels producer, expects a return on investment in less than seven months on software project rollouts from an IT network management upgrade initiative.
Mossgas IS manager Johan Maartens says the initiative was launched in response to the company`s asset tracking problems in the past.
"We identified asset tracking loopholes in our IT infrastructure that could not be blocked by our existing network management software," says Maartens. "We approached Enterprise Connection, our desktop IT supplier in George, to find a cost-effective solution to the problem, and address the related issue of company-wide software rollouts over the network."
Enterprise Connection, an Axiz reseller, called on Axiz and its business partner, Intel Authorized Solution Provider (IASP) Aplex to resolve the problem. The three companies jointly compiled a project plan that met Mossgas`s specific needs using Intel`s hardware and the LANDesk network management software suite.
"LANDesk enabled us to use our installed Intel network platform to both track our hardware assets using unique asset numbers from each workstation, and to conduct company-wide software rollouts without enlisting a third-party supplier," says Maartens.
"Considering it cost thousands of rand for the Windows 95/Office 95 rollout, the savings on the Windows 98/Office 97 rollout alone paid for the upgrade. We can expect similar savings in future rollouts, adding up to a saving of millions for the company in the long term."
Maartens adds that each machine`s configuration is logged, enabling careful tracking of configuration changes. LANDesk uses configuration logs to calculate the suitability of each workstation for a major software rollout based on the hardware requirements of the new software.
Making it work Axiz (Cape) regional manager Mike Saxby says the Mossgas contract is an excellent example of how three companies with complementary interests can get together to solve a client`s problem as the individual companies, in isolation, might not have all the skills or resources for the job.
"Where Axiz is South Africa`s leading Intel authorized distributor, Aplex has the technical and software engineering skills to put Intel`s networking solutions to work in practice," says Saxby. "We approached Aplex on recommendation from Intel South Africa as the foremost authority on LANDesk implementation, and together we tackled Enterprise`s request in a three-way partnership."
Aplex MD Hymie Gordon says the successful implementation of LANDesk at such a large site is testament not only to Intel`s growing reputation as the network management supplier of choice, but also to the combination of multi-skilled channel partnerships in managing Intel network rollouts.
"Intel has again proven itself as a major player in the network market, and our partnership with Axiz and its resellers as a major facilitator of the technology for the channel," adds Gordon.
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