30 September 2014
MCC Contracts
(PTY) Ltd, the open cast mining and plant rental division of Eqstra Holdings,
has mining sites throughout Southern Africa, many of them in remote and rural
areas. Reliable connectivity in such areas was difficult to achieve with the
available 3G bandwidth, and in many instances 3G was not available at all. In
addition, the Department of Minerals and Resources requires that each site be
able to access all Human Resources (HR) information. With the group-wide
rollout of SAP, compliance required highly reliable and fully redundant
connectivity. MCC turned to Jasco to deliver the solution.
“We delivered
the original access network in 2011 using a combination of microwave, DSL, fibre and VSAT access depending on the
specific requirements of each site. This enabled enhanced voice and data
communications at remote mine sites, as well as between these sites and MCC
headquarters. However, when the SAP rollout began in 2013, the network
requirements changed. Each site required continuous access to all HR-based SAP
content at all times, so they had to have a failover link to ensure this. Jasco
then implemented a complete redundant solution across all sites using a
combination of microwave and VSAT to ensure always-on connectivity,” says Leanne Hobdey, at Jasco Enterprise.
To ensure that the networks can appropriately handle the volumes of
voice, data and SAP traffic, Jasco implemented Quality of Service (QoS) onto
each and every link at all sites and between sites as well as to the cloud.
This ensures that primary data, such as SAP HR content, takes priority,
followed by voice traffic and then standard data. Each site now incorporates an
Aruba WiFi network with both wired and wireless access for LAN connectivity, to
cater for voice, data and SAP traffic, as well as the redundant WAN. Jasco also
delivers a fully managed services offering on the LAN access. In addition,
Jasco implemented and maintains the robust indoor and outdoor wireless networks
at each site, which enable SIP trunking for reduced telephony costs.
“We had no reliable connectivity on our sites, and 3G simply was not
providing the speed and reliability we required. The majority of our operations
fall outside of major metropolitan areas, so in many instances other
connectivity was limited or completely non-existent. Jasco offered the best
solution to our problem, and our connectivity needs have been met,” says Jenny
Nelson, Head of IT at MCC Group.
MCC now benefits from a reliable and fully redundant network for voice,
data and SAP traffic. In addition they have leveraged cost savings on cellular
calls, thanks to the local wireless networks and SIP solution. All HR
information is readily available at all sites, in compliance with the
Department of Minerals and Resources requirements, and the company can take
advantage of an efficient network which enables them to make use of the ICT
solutions which meet the need to be competitive in today’s market.
“This project presented some interesting challenges, as the design of the
WAN itself was unique. The QoS had to be specifically matched to the precise
number of users at each site, and it was not possible to implement a
standardised QoS across the network. In addition, budgetary requirements meant
that bandwidth had to be shared, and optimising bandwidth allocations in line
with cost, without compromising availability was a challenging task. We also
had to gear up on our own Safety,
Health, Environmental and Quality (SHEQ) management capabilities in order to
comply with mining regulations. All challenges were overcome however, and the
MCC network is now an excellent example of a successful converged solutions
deployment,” Hobdey concludes.
About the Jasco Group
Jasco delivers
end-to-end best-of-breed solutions across the entire ICT value chain. Our
services include solution design, business consulting, project management and
logistics to manage the supply, installation and commissioning of solutions;
and professional services to provide integration and customisation of
solutions; managed services, support and maintenance.
Jasco’s
operating divisions, namely Intelligent Technologies, Enterprise, Carriers and
Electrical Manufacturers deliver a range of solutions and services. Intelligent
Technologies delivers broadcast, power, data centres and Property Technology
Management (PTM) solutions as well as Energy Optimisation and Co-location
services, a carrier-neutral co-location
telecommunications hub where the network infrastructure serves multiple service
providers. The Carrier business provides
solutions and components for access and transmission networks as well as
hi-sites. The Enterprise business delivers contact centre solutions, Unified
Communications, Cloud Solutions and security and fire solutions. Electrical
Manufacturers delivers contract manufacturing of white goods.
The Jasco Group
has a national footprint with offices in Gauteng, Western Cape, Free State,
Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal. Other than South Africa, the organisation
trade in many sub-Saharan African countries, with a special focus on the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.