The seed of effective, reliable communications has been planted at Efekto, a local distributor of garden protection and nutrition products and services. The company`s partnership with Integr8 IT has led to a fully upgraded and enhanced network environment.
"The project started with a few basic requirements at one site and eventually developed into a complex communication network, complete with workhorse servers at the MTNS co-location," says Pieter Geldenhuys, sales and account manager at Integr8 IT.
Efekto selected to outsource to Integr8 IT to enhance its network. This became necessary after the chemicals company had installed Small Business Server (SBS) 2003, added more users to the network which, combined, resulted in more pressure on the network.
"We needed to stabilise and enhance the network and, simultaneously ensure that mission-critical business applications could be used seamlessly. In order to provide this level of uptime, the network had to be re-designed at all levels - but more specifically at the network data transfer level," adds Geldenhuys.
After careful evaluation of the environment and business requirements, Integr8 IT advocated a solution that caters for the Internet browsing function, mail delivery and mission-critical applications. The focus was on the data network, the core of Efekto`s IT infrastructure.
The data network is used to access the Internet, send and receive e-mail and, most importantly, access the business-critical application, Axapta. The network consists of three main parts including ADSL connectivity for Internet and e-mail access, Axapta traffic and Diginet connectivity between Isando and UUNET.
"ADSL lines had to be implemented at each branch in order to secure cost-effective Internet access. We also established remote connectivity between branches and head office via MTNS VPN, which essentially is a VPN running between sites and offering point-to-point like connectivity," says Geldenhuys.
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Integr8 IT (Pty) Ltd is a network technology services and solutions company. A recognised leader in the field of system integration, infrastructure management and support services, the company employs a wealth of highly skilled, best of breed, certified system engineers who are directly involved in high level consulting, support and integration.
The company`s core focus is on network infrastructures specialising in design, planning, deployment, management and maintenance. Offices are located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and representation in Port Elizabeth, East London, and nationally across the southern Africa region.
Integr8 IT is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner for Enterprise Systems and Advanced Infrastructure Solutions. It has been accredited as the Mid-Market Infrastructure Integrator of the Year for the last two consecutive years. Named as one of the country`s top ICTe companies and honoured with a position among South Africa`s Technology Top 100 Companies, Integr8 IT has established itself as a strategic partner with several internationally-recognised technology vendors and industry leaders, including: 3Com, CA, Citrix, Intel, Microsoft, MTN Network Solutions and Attix 5.
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