Saambou Bank Limited is the latest financial services organisation to utilise the Microsoft skills of Dimension Data`s TCO Integrators as the organisation looks to implement Windows 2000 and Office 2000.
One of South Africa`s leading banking and building institutions, Saambou has signed a Microsoft Select Agreement, with additional TCO value-adds, worth over two million rand.
Under the Microsoft Select Agreement license, TCO will provide Microsoft technical and consultancy skills for project implementations and roll-outs where required by Saambou. The financial services group will also standardise on Microsoft Backoffice servers.
Johan Bosch, IT executive at Saambou, says: "Saambou decided to standardise on Microsoft`s operating systems, desktop environment, databases and management tools specifically to lower total cost of ownership."
Saambou sees the benefits of partnering with TCO as being the integrator`s solid relationship with Microsoft, as well as its competitive pricing structure.
TCO`s position as a Microsoft Direct Large Account Reseller and Solution Provider, with specialist skills and value added services, was also a deciding factor in Saambou`s partnership decision, according to Johan Bosch. "We felt comfortable partnering with TCO and confident in a long term relationship with a sound company," he says.
"Another plus point is TCO`s position within the Dimension Data group," he says. "If Saambou has any IT challenges TCO will be able to provide the input to point us in the right direction.
"In addition, TCO`s better pricing structure frees up monies for other IT-related business at Saambou," says Bosch.
"As a value-add, TCO will provide us with a TCO developed on-line web tool, which will assist us in the administration of licenses. Critically, it will also save a portion of the IT budget which would otherwise be allotted to this function," he adds.
TCO regards licensing as just one of the essential components of effectively managing a customers` client server infrastructure.
"We look at each customer`s specific environment and then focus on value-adds such as product road maps for customers, as well as consultations on the business benefits of implementing new Microsoft product and version upgrades," comments Morn'e Otto, client services manager at TCO.
For the Saambou project, TCO is already providing ad-hoc support, dispatching engineers to Saambou when technical support is required.
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Dimension Data
Dimension Data Holdings Limited is a global network integration and e-business enabler operating in 36 countries on five continents. The Group`s service offerings range from network integration and management to the integration of technology channels and applications to enable business-to-business e-commerce. The Group has achieved a compound annual growth rate of 98% in turnover and 57% in headline earnings per share over the past five years.
TCO Integrators
TCO Integrators, which has the highest number of Microsoft certified engineers in the country, operates with the Dimension Data Group`s networking division, working closely with Dimension Data Networking. This enables Dimension Data to provide a complete end-to-end service from networking to desktop requirements, covering not only the communications layer but the platform level, as well as the database and applications layers for a top-to-bottom enterprise business environment.
Through its Total Co Operation Service, TCO Integrators provides support in either an outsourced or onsite solution, enabling clients to run their business without having to manage technological enhancements.