A pro for Linux, Open Source service

Yossi Hasson, Synaq’s managing director: "Connectivity is essential for any operation, whatever its size".

The Pro Shop is one of several divisions of MoreGolf (Pty) Ltd., incorporating the Vodacom World of Golf, Vodacom Golf Villages, playmoregolfSA with Vodacom, Gary Player Golf Experience powered by Telkom Business and LandBank Golf4All

To provide an idea of the coverage and service level of this entire operation, Dale Rosenberg, IT General Manager at MoreGolf (Pty) Ltd, describes the businesses within the group.

“The Pro Shop has five branches spread throughout the country, with a sixth store about to open in Fourways, Johannesburg, while the Vodacom World of Golf is South Africa's first golfing theme park and is situated in Woodmead. There are Vodacom Golf Villages in Gilloolys, Randpark and Centurion, and playmoregolfSA with vodacom, is South Africa's premier rewards program for golfers,” he says.

Each division of MoreGolf (Pty) Ltd. runs off a Linux-based infrastructure and connects with head office in Woodmead through ADSL VPN. There are 10 sites that form part of this VPN and each site runs a Linux firewall.

Management at the company required the services of an established service provider with a proven track record within the Linux / Open Source arena to manage its e-mail, Internet and VPN.

Rosenberg explains why the company opted to outsource this maintenance function to SYNAQ.

“When we embarked on our quest to find a partner that could maintain these competencies for us, we knew we wanted to outsource to a company that could do so without sacrificing on quality of service. Having thoroughly scouted the Linux market we were impressed with SYNAQ'S list of customers and the way they conducted themselves as a business,” he says.

“The decision to outsource this function to them meant that we did not have to organize the skills in-house and could therefore concentrate on ensuring that all our key business solutions and applications run as efficiently as possible”

Synaq is a recognized and established provider of Linux and Open Source management solutions, operating from its base in Sandton, Gauteng.

Yossi Hasson, the company's managing director, says The Pro Shop is a premium brand in South Africa that is synonymous with retailing within the golf industry. The mandate supplied to his company was based on the proactive management, support and maintenance of the company's entire site network and setup.

“Connectivity is essential for any operation, whatever its size, but especially for a company of this size and involving so many sites. Our job is to ensure that The Pro Shop and all of MoreGolf's businesses are able to continue to provide the level of service its customers have become accustomed to without having to worry about infrastructure,” says Hasson.

Adds Rosenberg, “We are also able to draw on SYNAQ'S knowledge when it comes to open source solutions. This opens up a new range of possibilities that are both powerful and cost effective. In all businesses these days, connectivity is crucial even if your users say it isn't, and having a reliable solution and support structure ensures that you are able to stay focused on the key areas within the business.”