Integr8 has delivered a turnkey ICT solution to its client, Bosun Group as a core component of a complex, high-profile infrastructure upgrade project. The implementation has resulted in an enhanced network, server and storage infrastructure.
Bosun Group wanted to standardise their ICT environment, while hosting it at a centralised datacentre. The company required a solution that could help establish a new parallel infrastructure and co-existence environment.
This would allow the company to migrate its resources and services with minimal operational disruption to the user base and simultaneously meet specified organisational requirements.
“There were specific objectives that we had to take cognizance of,” explains Robert Sussman, joint CEO of Integr8.
These objectives included the deployment of new hardware infrastructure according to industry best practice, establishment of mail flow between current and new email environments for all accepted domains, migration of application and servers in a phased, automated approach and ensure that business application and SQL databases are migrated successfully.
“Integ8 suggested a Dell VStart 50M. This complete solution provided a turnkey solution,” says Sussman. It comprised of Dell servers, Dell EqualLogic iSCSI storage, Dell PowerConnect networking, and a combination of Microsoft Hyper-V servers.
The solution implements Dell and Microsoft best practices and utilizes the latest Dell developed visualisation integration offerings that provide management enhancements. Dell Management Plug-in for virtualisation is included in the solution which provides integration of Dell hardware management with the preferred hyper visor.
EqualLogic SAN HeadQuarters (SAN HQ) is included in the solution for storage array management. It also includes the rack, power distribution units (PDU), and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
Integr8 also recommended Microsoft SCVMM 2012 to manage the virtual servers on the Dell Power Edge Servers. System Centre Essentials combined with SCVMM will monitor and send alerts when the virtual servers are running out of resources and needs maintenance.
The upgraded infrastructure improves data and application availability and recoverability, while reducing infrastructure and administrative costs.
Integr8’s primary aim was to help its client improve data and application availability and recoverability, while reducing infrastructure and administrative costs. “We are confident that the new environment will yield very positive results for our client,” Sussman continues.
Janus Joubert, Financial Manager at Bosun Group, says that despite a few unpredictable ‘curved balls’, the project was a success.
“After our initial concerns around the late delivery of hardware etc. we pressed our service providers (Integr8, and especially Dell) hard to either shape up or ship out. I am pleased to say that they have really shaped up and have produced the kind of service we expected, and more!” he explains.
“Thank you to each and everyone for making the project a success. Integr8’s professionalism, effort and dedication is remarkable. Special mention must go to Integr8’s professional services engineer, Eugene van Eeden, who was pivotal in the success of the project.” comments Joubert.
Van Eeden says it had been a pleasure working with the Bosun Group. “We faced more than a few obstacles, one of the biggest being time. The project started two weeks behind schedule and we finished two days after the deadline. If we take that into account, we finished the project ten days ahead of schedule,” he quips.
