Barloworld Logistics partners with RDB Consulting for proactive monitoring and alerting

16 March 2010

 
RDB Consulting, an ICT outsource and consulting company, has recently been selected to provide ongoing proactive monitoring, alerting and maintenance for Barloworld Logistics' local Oracle and SQL databases. Database reliability is an essential foundation for the composite logistics solution Barloworld Logistics provides to its clients. Due to rapid international expansion of the business and the resultant addition of new databases, bringing on specialist support makes good business sense.
 
Barloworld Logistics is a leading integrated logistics and supply chain management company, first established in South Africa and now operating across the globe. It specialises in creating strategic advantage for its clients by optimising and integrating the client's logistics processes and information flows, reducing their costs and increasing their service levels.
 
The contract sees RDB Consulting providing ongoing proactive monitoring and alerting for Barloworld Logistics' Oracle and SQL databases nationwide.
According to James Symons, Executive: Information Technology, Barloworld Logistics, the two companies first worked together in May 2009, when RDB Consulting - an Oracle Platinum Partner- was recommended by Oracle to Symons. RDB assessed the company's Oracle customer centre environment to ensure it was running according to best practices.
 
Notes Symons, "I was impressed with the level of competence and professionalism demonstrated by RDB Consulting. With the current skills shortage in the IT industry in South Africa, it is difficult to find a database specialist at the senior level we required. It thus made good sense to partner with RDB Consulting on an ongoing basis as they employ a whole team of experts from which we can draw the necessary expertise."
 
Barloworld Logistics required a database specialist able to provide fast reaction time and a proactive approach, and to ensure maximum uptime.
"Because we deal with blue chip clients, even a small amount of downtime can have huge repercussions and end up costing our clients millions," comments Symons.
 
Says Jaroslav Cerny, CEO of RDB Consulting, "Our proactive approach to database monitoring ensures that potential issues are identified before they become problems. Our knowledgeable and certified resources, available 24x7, mean that Barloworld Logistics can be assured that its database infrastructure is in good hands."
 
Barloworld Logistics has a firm belief in investing in the best people, and in developing strong and highly capable teams. For this reason, it is crucial that contractors and consultants are a good fit for the organisation.
 
Comments Symons, "Due to the nature of the solutions we build, teamwork is vital, and I needed to ensure that whoever manages our databases will be able to work well with my team. RDB Consulting was able to provide us with suitable candidates. I believe that you can choose to work with someone as a pure supplier or as a partner - and we prefer the latter."
 

The Service Level Agreement sees RDB Consulting providing two full time specialists to Barloworld Logistics, 24x7 standby with escalation procedures, monthly reports and regular site meetings to assess the quality of work and future needs. Cerny also regularly meets with both Symons and the Infrastructure Manager at Barloworld Logistics to ensure that RDB Consulting is constantly aware of any arising requirements.

About RDB Consulting

Established in 1995, RDB Consulting is an outsource and consulting company that specialises in six areas: Relational databases, Operating Systems, Business Intelligence/Performance Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, Security Managed Services and Network Managed Services. The organisation also offers project management, solutions architecture, on-going maintenance and support. Our services are designed to provide businesses access to expert technical resources whether full time, part time, co-managed or via remote administration. This allows companies to focus on their 'core' business and leave their ICT issues to the experts.

About Barloworld Logistics

Over 70% of potential savings and service enhancements in a supply chain come from the re-engineering and integration of logistics processes.

Barloworld Logistics is South Africa's leading integrated logistics and supply chain management company, and a fast-growing global player. They create strategic advantage for their clients by optimising and integrating the client's logistics processes and information flows, thereby radically reducing their costs and increasing their service levels.


Log onto www.barloworld-logistics.com for more information

 

For more information, contact:

Jennifer Mbesa / Gerrit-Jan Albers

RDB Consulting

Tel: 011-8077663

Email: info@rdbconsulting.com