NEWS
Hollard Life Namibia embraces real-time data
analytics with SilverBridge
H
ollard Namibia, the largest privately-
owned insurance group in the country,
has contracted SilverBridge Holdings to
implement a Microsoft-based business
intelligence (BI) solution and enable it to
extract meaningful insights from its data
to help drive business strategy. “Previously,
Hollard did not have access to dynamic
information despite the wealth of data at its
disposal,” said Kelly Preston, Data Analytics
Manager at SilverBridge.
SilverBridge customised a dashboarding
solution by using Microsoft PowerBI as a tool
to fit in with the client processes and provide
a real-time view of its business position.
This meant decision-makers could focus on
delivering unbiased insights by having access
to trusted data in an efficient manner.
“We wanted to help transition Hollard to
be more pro-active in its decision-making
process,” added Preston. “As such, the project
Kelly Preston, Data
Analytics Manager at
SilverBridge
started with a strategic consulting session to
ensure that the solution was aligned with the
objectives of the business.”
Data warehousing and modelling, as well
as the design of the business intelligence
(BI) solution, were implemented through
Visual Studio SSIS packages, Azure SQL and
Microsoft PowerBI. Frequent collaboration
sessions were held with key members from
Hollard to keep the solution aligned to the
unique requirements of the organisation.
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The MediaShop selects Ruckus Networks for
head office connectivity
T
he MediaShop, a South African
media agency, has selected Ruckus
Networks, an ARRIS company, to deploy its
internal wireless network at the new head
office in Bryanston, Johannesburg. “As a
communications agency, we understand
the importance of uptime and customer
satisfaction,” said Lisanne Hofmeyr, IT
Manager at The MediaShop. “For our staff,
we wanted to eliminate cabling and give
the team freedom and mobility to work
anywhere in our new built-to-spec offices.
Connectivity in and around our offices is
paramount to our operations and since
we were looking for a completely wireless
solution, it was evident we needed a strong
market player.”
LAN Logix – the preferred outsourced IT
Partner for The MediaShop – offered its
advice on the best connectivity solutions to
The MediaShop, a company they worked
with for many years.
www.intelligentcio.com
design, one that was able to ensure the
three floors in the building were completely
covered by carrier-grade Wi-Fi.
“After the design, it was decided that
just 20 Ruckus R710’s would service all
the required networks, including the core
network, BYOD network as well as the guest
network,” said Hardwick.
After extensive market research and product
comparisons, Ruckus was chosen as the
solution of choice.
“The Ruckus solution was a clear leader not
only from an industry standard perspective
but from a compliance, reliability and
scalability perspective,” added Paul Hardwick,
Managing Director at LAN Logix. “Ruckus
was the obvious choice for a company that
demands reliability and zero down-time.”
Ruckus and the LAN Logix team undertook
a site visit to ensure an optimal network
The R710 delivers industry-leading
performance and reliability, in the most
demanding high-density locations.
“When it comes to Wi-Fi, enterprises are
tired of unstable connections, dropped
packets and erratic performance,” said Riaan
Graham, Sales Director for sub-Saharan
Africa at Ruckus Networks. “They want a
smarter wireless system that provides solid
coverage, capacity and reliability, but at the
same time, one that is affordable and easy
to deploy and manage.”
INTELLIGENTCIO
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