Johannesburg, 18 Oct 2000
Spescom DataFusion (Pty) Limited has been awarded a contract at an initial value of R20 million, but with a potential well in excess of that figure, for the supply of data communications infrastructure at Anglo American's Konkola Copper Mine project in Zambia.
Spescom DataFusion, a wholly owned subsidiary of Spescom Limited, is a leading supplier of communications solutions and products to the South African and African markets and focuses on the deployment of specialised business solutions.
The contract will be executed by a consortium between Spescom DataFusion and Intrinsic Technology (Pty) Limited, an infrastructure company providing systems and network integration, structured cabling and computer systems integration to a host of networking solutions clients.
Anglo American's Konkola Copper Mine project comprises the Konkola mine at Chilillibombwe, Nchanga mine, at Chingola, a small mine called Nampundwe close to Lusaka and a smelter located at Kitwe.
Tim Pryce, Manager: Intelligent Networks at Spescom Limited, explains that the mines currently have no data communications infrastructure and run voice and limited data communications over a voice network incorporating traditional PABX switches that are due for replacement.
"The powerful new data communications network will link all of Anglo American's property and business activities in Zambia," he says.
Anglo American awarded the contract to Spescom DataFusion and Intrinsic after an initial enquiry proved that technically and commercially; the company would provide a superior solution for the application, according to Pryce.
As Cisco's first Tier-One, Advanced Technology Partner in Africa, Spescom DataFusion is supplying Cisco Local Area data switching equipment and Wide Area Routing equipment to connect each mine's Local Area Network (LAN) into a common network, providing a singular, scaleable, unified data network to Anglo American.
A major advantage of the Cisco technology-based solution is that all future upgrades to the system will be software-based, making it highly cost-effective, while the new Wide Area Network (WAN) includes benefits such as improved quality of data access and ease of maintenance.
The project includes the installation of all fibre cable outdoors and Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) data cabling indoors, as well as new telephone cabling throughout each of the three mines and the smelter.
Ed Callen, Managing Director of Intrinsic Technology, explains that in terms of the joint venture, Intrinsic Technology will primarily be responsible for providing the physical environment for the project, supplying and installing the cable plant and computer servers, while Spescom DataFusion will be responsible for the supply, installation and configuration of the communications equipment.
Activities on the project will start within the coming week and continue over a twelve-month period. Training on the data infrastructure solution is part of the contract and will be provided by both Spescom DataFusion and Intrinsic Technology.
Dexel Zambia, as the Zambian support partner, will provide ongoing local support to the copper mines.
The contract establishes a major presence and reputation on the Zambian Copper Belt for the Spescom DataFusion and Intrinsic Technology Consortium, and provides an ideal platform from which to expand business further into the mining industries of Zambia, some neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo territories and the rest of Africa.
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