Since first installing the NCR 3550 server for the National Department of Agriculture (NDA) in 1994, leading services solution provider National Data Systems (NDS), a member of the JSE-listed Fintech group of companies, has only had to perform minor maintenance work on the system. Six years and two upgrades later the equipment is still functioning perfectly and runs no fewer than 60 mission-critical applications.
"The 3550 server is expensive, but it is without a doubt a worthwhile long-term investment in terms of value-for-money, performance and reliability, especially if used for mission-critical database applications," says Nico van Sittert information management services director at NDA.
"Although the maintenance agreement provides for all hardware and operating system breakdowns, in all this time it has only been used for upgrade projects," explains van Sittert. "Even upgrades on the software applications had no effect whatsoever on the functioning of the hardware."
"An example of its reliability is that it ran critical database applications without a UPS (uninterrupted power supply) for three years, but even after power failures was able to start up with no problem at all.
"We have a saying at NDA," he continues, "don`t fix something that`s working. We`ve considered buying cheaper equipment many times, but so far have been unable to justify such a move. Even though the NCR 3550 has passed its five-year life expectancy, there is no indication that it needs to be replaced and NDS is still able to supply spare parts. When we do eventually replace the server, it will be for financial reasons only and the replacement will have to provide a substantial financial advantage. Notwithstanding we will be able to find good use for the 3550 in a secondary role even after it has served its main purpose."
"Although the NCR 3550 boasts excellent performance, the healthy relationship NDS has built up with the NDA is largely owing to the efforts of group leader Chris Delport," says NDS account manager Braam Cilliers. "The high level of expertise and professionalism he provides is a primary contributor to the successful relationship we enjoy with the department."
The server was recently upgraded to Y2K compliancy at only minimal cost. Says Jimmy Weir-Smith, national Y2K contingency officer at the NDA: "The combination of NCR hardware with the Unix operating system and the Informix database is a formidable one. I`ve worked on eight or nine systems and this is by far the best."
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