The telecommunications business reinforced its ICT infrastructure with the successful deployment and migration of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 and Microsoft Lync Server 2013 platforms within a six month project timeline through a joint venture between MTN IS Architecture and Integr8. MTN IS Architecture spearheaded the platform designs under the leadership of their internal Microsoft Certified Solutions Experts.
The Microsoft Exchange 2013 and Lync 2013 Project incorporated a number of key deliverables including a move of MTN’s messaging environment to new hardware infrastructure for Microsoft Exchange 2013, the successful deployment of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 and Lync 2013 based on a Microsoft recommended practices and reference architecture, as well as the provision of a modular deployment model to allow a standard and scalable set of hardware requirements throughout.
A number of key objectives were outlined as part of the overall Exchange and Lync solution, including the provision of higher level operational stability than the existing system to confirm a Service Level Agreement of 99.9 including planned maintenance windows.
The Project was also designed to reduce the technical complexity of the system management and support by allowing IT to implement granular levels of delegated user and system administration.
“The migration onto a new messaging and unified communication (Lync 2013) system had to take place without negatively impacting end users’ experience, functionality and performance of the existing environments,” explains Lance Fanaroff, joint CEO, Integr8.
The infrastructure upgrade also provided for the high availability and site resiliency for both the new 2013 Microsoft platforms, as well as for a reduction in technical complexity and total cost of ownership.
Utilizing the full capabilities and features of Exchange 2013 allowed the Solution Architecture to be done in a manner that ensured maximum ROI and cost reduction. A consolidation ratio of 6:1 has been achieved whilst meeting an “always-on” messaging and unified communication operational requirement.
To achieve a successful Project rollout, Integr8 was also called in to provide and support the installation and configuration of an HP Consolidated Archive solution for the new Exchange 2013 Platform.
