PUBLICATION:  NETWORK TIMES ONLINE

DATE:  12 JULY 2007

Not-for-profit home loan company outsources to Integr8 IT

July 2007

The Home Loan Guarantee Company, a Section 21 company specialising in the provision of access to housing finance for lower income people, has outsourced the complete management of its network infrastructure and services to Integr8 IT.

In accordance with the service level agreement in place Integr8 IT has placed a technician onsite on a full-time basis to assist the company in managing and maintaining its Microsoft Windows-based environment.

Three years ago the Home Loan Guarantee Company approached Integr8 IT to assist in evaluating and enhancing its network infrastructure. The decision was made to migrate from a Novell to a Microsoft-based environment. This included a move to Microsoft Windows 2003 and Exchange.

In 2007 management at the Home Loan Guarantee Company has requested that Integr8 IT manage its entire ICT infrastructure and network infrastructure. This incorporated solutions from Integr8 IT's extensive line of managed services including G8Keeper.

Interaction with existing and potential stakeholders is of primary importance to the Home Loan Company because of the way it manages its risk, particularly in the implementation of its HIV and Aids cover. The Company also relies heavily on its ability to relay up-to-date and relevant information to its international financial partners.

"Optimum levels of connectivity and guaranteed uptime are key requirements for the client. Our portfolio of managed services is connected to our national call centre and helpdesk facility, so as to maintain a consistent level of support and service. The infrastructure allows for a more robust and scalable platform in order for the organisation to effectively interface with local and international partners, a crucial element of the organisation's operation," explains Robert Sussman, joint-MD at Integr8 IT.

Aside from facilitating access to housing finance, the Home Loan Company provides housing finance-related education and training to the affordable housing market, using a national network of trainers.

"It is absolutely critical that the company's digital nervous system remains linked to partners," adds Sussman. "The Home Loan Guarantee Company has enhanced its technological capability and this will certainly reinforce its business. There are a vast amount of NGOs that are not aware of the advantages and opportunity that exist with regard to licensed software and applications. Our approach is to analyse the business, understand what they do and why they do it, and then facilitate an effective ICT investment strategy."