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Gearhouse South Africa, a leading technical supplier to the live event industry in South Africa, demonstrates what can

be achieved by having a solid partnership with a reliable, skilled and entirely resourced managed ICT services provider in place. The companys connectivity to Integr8 and its acclaimed Nerve Centre operation represents the core of its ICT strategy.

Integr8 was tasked with the provision of a solution that would update software licenses across its clients infrastructure and put in place a secure platform that would result in cost-saving.

Solution
As part of its expert support consultancy service to its client, Integr8 implemented Microsoft Open Value Subscription & Microsoft Office Professional Plus solutions. This infrastructure revamp has helped establish a new level of ICT capability within Gearhouse SA. Upon advice from its long-time ICT managed services partner, Integr8, management at Gearhouse SA acquired and implemented Microsoft Open Value Subscription solution across the company. Microsoft Open Value Subscription option is a cost-effective, flexible way for competitive commercial organizations to receive benefits and savings. They can do this by acquiring licenses and Microsoft Software Assurance for Volume Licensing on a company-wide, subscription basis. Open Value Subscription customers can simplify license management, have more control over their IT investments, and better manage their software costs by subscribing to the latest Microsoft technology, rather than by purchasing perpetual software licenses, explains Robert Sussman, joint CEO, Integr8.

Situation
Gearhouse SA supplies equipment, skills and services to the competitive live event industry. The company is connected to Integr8s centralised, high-tech customer management hub or Nerve Centre. This connection has ensured that the company has the latest, updated ICT infrastructure in place, specifically software programmes to guarantee operational efficiency. Integr8 is South Africas largest privately owned managed service provider. It employs over 550 people across its network, covering South Africa, as well as key regions in Africa and Europe. Gearhouse SA requested an enhancement of its infrastructure and the provision of a solution to update its software and systems. As a client of Integr8, Gearhouse SA is directly linked to the Nerve Centre

Customers also get substantial savings by committing to platform products and subscribing to licensed products for the agreements term (non-perpetual rights). This helps with substantial up-front savings while delivering predictable annual costs.

Outcome
The environment represents a step forward for Gearhouse SA as it continues in a Microsoftbased environment, complete with license agreements in place. Moving onto the licensing platform was a powerful move for its client to make says Sussman and it addresses issues such as the fact that software is inextricably linked to the longevity of hardware, high costs, time-intensive operations, limited support and no transferability. Advantages to the company includes a more secure and manageable IT environment and saving on licensed product, payments are spread on an annual basis, savings for subscribing and committing to a platform product, complimentary media for all licensed product, amongst others. The business case for moving across into a comprehensive licensing environment is clear. It adds practical value to operations an efficient, credible and powerful foundation for the business to grow and to accelerate service delivery to clients, adds Sussman. Our core focus is on transferring the value of managed ICT services, remotely or on-site, directly to our client in order to save cost and boost operations. Nasser Abbas, joint Managing Director of Gearhouse SA, said Integr8 has proven its value as an established and experienced ICT services provider. The introduction and integration of this technology has already helped the business enormously.

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