ACSA selects NetSpeed, Eye of the Storm to consolidate network management

Managing a nation's aviation infrastructure is no mean feat, especially when the world's largest sporting showpiece, the 2010 Football World Cup, is not only standing on the doorstep, but ringing the bell.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA - www.acsa.co.za) ensures that South Africa's airports run smoothly, and has done so for more than 15 years. Its responsibilities extend beyond the maintenance of existing infrastructure.

Further development of new and existing airports requires rigorous planning - and state-of-the-art technology - where there is no margin for error.

ACSA supports over 98% of the country's commercial air traffic. The extent of the growth it has experienced, and the company's reliance on technology, has stretched ACSA's IT infrastructure.

Every year, ACSA's network of 10 world-class airports processes more than 36 million passengers and 291 thousand aircraft landings from nearly 50 international destinations, connecting South Africa with the world. World Cup 2010 will be the acid test for ACSA's aviation infrastructure management capabilities. The huge influx of football fans and other tourists visiting South Africa in 2010 will rely on ACSA for outstanding airport services.

ACSA required a massive IT upgrade to facilitate business growth and deliver both internal IT services and efficient external services to commuters passing through South Africa's airport network. The new technology needed to be installed without any disruption to service delivery. However, ACSA's existing IT management tools did not provide the ability to plan, analyse, and ensure that the new deployments were effectively and efficiently brought online without service disruptions.

Before engaging with NetSpeed, ACSA was using a number of disparate IT and network management tools, which did not provide any consolidated performance management data. The company wanted to improve its ability to analyse trends, plan capacity upgrades and automatically link a given fault to a specific piece of infrastructure. ACSA wanted control of its entire IT infrastructure via a single configuration management database that met the requirements of the ISO telecommunications network management model for fault, configuration, accounting, performance and security management (FCAPS).

ACSA needed to migrate from reactive network management to proactive network management in order to be more cost-effective, productive and leverage maximum value from its IT resources. The ACSA IT department sought a network management solution to reflect both this IT proactive strategy and accommodate their explosive growth. After evaluating a number of providers, ACSA selected NetSpeed Technologies for its deep expertise in the enterprise management area. NetSpeed's network management solution for ACSA was Entuity's Eye of the Storm (EYE).

EYE's range of capabilities assisted ACSA's IT department to improve IT operations efficiency, protect critical services needed 24/7, and roll out new technologies without disruption. NetSpeed Technologies was chosen based on a 15-year successful track record with valuable experience in the enterprise management sphere. In addition to specialised product knowledge, NetSpeed adds industry knowledge for network management solution comparisons and an in-depth knowledge of infrastructure management practices.

NetSpeed took the time to understand ACSA's existing issues and delivered a scalable network management solution that offered the effectiveness and efficiency ACSA demanded. ACSA's network supports 10 airports around South Africa, and is constantly expanding. NetSpeed successfully deployed Eye of the Storm within a month, providing ACSA with real-time, integrated network management data to ensure 24/7 service reliability reducing performance holding patterns.

During a thorough proof of concept phase, NetSpeed demonstrated the solution's capabilities within hours. Ultimately, Eye of the Storm was implemented at ACSA on time and within budget. The implementation included on site training for ACSA's staff and other relevant ACSA suppliers in all provinces. NetSpeed is also providing ongoing support and maintenance for the solution.

Eye of the Storm's comprehensive data is now being used for fault, capacity, asset, performance and security management as well as reports across ACSA's nationwide network delivering proactive management capabilities. Additionally, EYE has been integrated with ACSA's existing help desk solutions enabling fast resolutions using accurate data.

While Eye of the Storm includes several different components, the solution remains a single integrated platform, with all network management aspects visible via a single user interface. NetSpeed's partnership with Entuity (developer of Eye of the Storm) enabled ACSA to benefit from best-in-class software and accompanying implementation skills.

The solution is used throughout ACSA, and monthly reports provide both operational and executive information. ACSA's ability to manage its IT infrastructure is no longer hindered by technology silos and accurate data can now be shared by all providing insight into key IT infrastructure devices and performance metrics.

Greater integration and automation of routine tasks has led to less human intervention during the reporting process, and has allowed IT staff to be more productive. The rollout of the Eye of the Storm is helping to keep ACSA a market leader by maximising the benefits delivered by their IT infrastructure. These benefits include:

* Consistent, reliable delivery of critical IT services.
* Proactive visibility to correct performance issues before they impact the network.
* Automation of IT processes to improve accuracy of information.
* Freeing up IT professionals to focus on more important tasks.

According to Werick Venter, IT Infrastructure Manager at ACSA: “The solution delivered by NetSpeed is helping ACSA to monitor our IT infrastructure so we can continue developing world-class, secure and safe airport experiences for our customers. The complex services that operate our airports demand 24/7 network access. NetSpeed and Eye of the Storm have assisted ACSA IT to have insight into network performance and availability to a level that has never been possible for us. Problem resolution is now greatly enhanced due to this insight. NetSpeed Technologies has helped us maximise the benefits of the Entuity solution with their professionalism and outstanding technical expertise. We look forward to the future with our network foundation solidly in place to support ACSA's entire business.”

Additional benefits have included greater efficiency in terms of network port availability. A labour-intensive exercise, ACSA's previous network management tool did not allow for proactive management of network availability, meaning spare switches were in constant circulation to accommodate spare capacity needs.

The Eye of the Storm solution also has a unique green IT component that addresses power utilisation and consumption, and server utilisation. This “green IT” module informs management of power consumption and server usage consolidation opportunities on the network and provides implementation methodologies to realise power-related savings.

ACSA and NetSpeed enjoy an excellent relationship based on the solution NetSpeed has provided to ACSA, supplying the company with greatly enhanced enterprise management capacity. Says Julian Renecke, director of NetSpeed Technologies: “Speed, accuracy and agility are vital when managing a network that supports 10 airports and their associated passengers. As a team, NetSpeed Technologies has enabled ACSA to deploy a network management solution, Eye of the Storm, which really meets these requirements. Dramatic results have been achieved - proactive management, IT resource efficiencies, flawless new technology rollouts; they all equip ACSA to deliver outstanding services 24/7. ACSA's IT infrastructure is truly a cornerstone in keeping them successful and we are proud to be their ongoing technology partner.”