Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 17 | Page 15

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. ///////////////// 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 15