Sponsored: Ensuring 100% tradability through converged networks
Modern CIOs are expected to be able to handle unexpected IT challenges, be as diverse as disrupted systems or operational downtime.
01 July 2024
Modern CIOs are expected to be able to handle unexpected IT challenges, be as diverse as disrupted systems or operational downtime. Businesses ultimately demand close to 100% tradability, and it is the CIO’s responsibility to ensure this happens.
Clearly, technology is a critical component of this, and converged networks, with their seamless connectivity and communications are vital for ensuring 100% tradability. According to Prenesh Padayachee, Group Chief Digital and Operations Officer at SEACOM, a converged network is essentially the integration of multiple communication services - , data, and video - , onto a converged network infrastructure. This streamlines communication channels and enables seamless transmission of various types of data seamlessly.
“By consolidating diverse communication services, converged networks simplify network management and offer significant advantages to businesses. For example, from a communications perspective, such networks ensure communication and collaboration through a host of voice and productivity tools,” he explains.
“Converged networks also benefit from cloud services, providing a flexible, scalable, and resilient way to run IT environments. They further deliver a robust access network, supporting digital operations, providing reliable overlay, to simplifying network management and enhancing application performance, and offering strong cybersecurity. The latter, safeguards networks and enables business resiliency.” SEACOM’s network architecture conforms to international best practices, adds Padayachee. The design of the IT architecture incorporates system segmentation, segregation, redundancy, and fail-over mechanisms, to isolate and protect critical components.
“We acknowledge there remain challenges around instability with clients’ networks. Among the challenges faced have been vandalism, theft, civil works and loadshedding.
Bespoke solutions
Padayachee notes that, as part of its converged network, Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites provide high-speed internet connectivity in remote and underserved areas. Where traditional connectivity means are not feasible, LEO satellites provide connectivity while minimising loadshedding risk and vandalism on terrestrial network infrastructure and equipment. “Speaking of loadshedding, we recognise the severity of the situation and have taken proactive measures to mitigate the impact. To ensure a consistent supply of connectivity, we have engaged with our key infrastructure partners and , implementing measures on our core network,” he says.
“These partners ensure that critical facilities and core aggregation nodes have sufficient onsite backup power supplies, and our key infrastructure partners are actively replacing lead-acid batteries with new-generation lithium batteries. These offer longer autonomy and faster recharge times.”
“Padayachee adds that SEACOM, as an organisation, has strength as a solution aggregator, adept at identifying and understanding problem statements to build bespoke solutions tailored to its clients’ desired outcomes.
“For us, the path to 100% tradability starts with focusing on existing pain points and the desired evolutionary path of clients. Based on current pains and desired future state, we build solutions utilising the best of breed technologies and technologies to empower clients to reach their desired outcomes,” he concludes.
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