Velocity Afrika, an international film production company, has reinforced its IT networking infrastructure, placing an even greater emphasis on connectivity and communication.
In a joint project involving National Technology Integrator, Integr8 IT, and The RAM Group of Companies, the company has significantly enhanced its national coverage, connectivity, data transfer capability and communication.
Velocity Afrika first made its presence known to the local market in 1990, and have since been established as a formidable, recognised player in the film production sector. The company have adapted to and maximised off the growth of the local IT industry, and have, until recently, worked off a centralised infrastructure.
Recently, the decision was made to rejuvenate its server capability and also improve upon its communication and information support systems. To do this, the company sought out the services of Integr8 IT and The RAM Group of Companies.
Francois Conradie, network engineer at Integr8 IT, says, "Velocity has significantly enhanced its networking capability and infrastructure. They have essentially moved to a better managed environment by means of an IP Managed network and incorporated Windows 2000 Active Directory. Essentially, this means all users can share and correlate off a single data infrastructure and this translates to better management and control."
"Velocity films` previous platform allowed for a system with a single mail server. They have up till now corresponded via a dial-up into and ISP from Cape Town, and then pulled their mail via Johannesburg. Integr8 IT has migrated the client over to a diginet connected, managed network using Cisco and Microsoft technology. With Active Directory and Exchange 2000 we were able to send the mail directly to the appropriate mailbox at the correct site without them having to initiate a dial-up. Instead of using a 56k modem, the company is now on-line 24/7. We also provided the company with a web-based mail retrieval system that allows them to view the mail directly from any site, any where in the world" adds Conradie.
According to Robert Sussman, Integr8 IT director, the system is modular and scalable, with attention to upgrade paths. This means that should the company decide to integrate other technologies or applications in the future, it will be a relatively simple process and will allow Integr8 IT to provide the relevant plug-ins.
"This will make a major difference to the business as a whole. For a company that is based on providing quality visual communication, the internal process of acquiring and disseminating information is that much more acute and tighter. It makes for a seamless working environment and generally improves management capability. The RAM Group of Companies have partnered with us on this initiative and it is a team effort."
Lance Soller, Group IT Manager of the RAM Group of Companies, initially made the suggestion and was involved in the implementation of the Active Directory and centralisation of the network.
"With long term planning in mind, we have allowed for the possibility of Terminal Server running in JHB for user in Cape Town. Internet Browsing is controlled via a Custom Linux Firewall with the breakout in Johannesburg. The firewall runs QOS and full accountability, and we are also in the process of bringing a third branch online via WAN. The WAN structure is provided by a mix of Cisco Routers."
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Integr8 IT (Pty) Ltd is a wholly owned network technology services and solutions company in southern Africa. Based in SA, the company employs a wealth of highly skilled and certified system engineers who are directly involved in high level consulting, support and integration.
With offices located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and representation in Port Elizabeth, East London and Port Elizabeth, Integr8 IT spans nationally across Southern Africa and Africa continent. It has the people and expertise to plan, deploy, manage and maintain an information technology environment.
Whether a client seeks better control of its networked environment or is in need of practical solutions, complex or simple, Integr8 IT provides the answers with enhanced information technology services.
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