Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory

Dimension Datas Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory helps organisations to realise the full benefit of Microsoft Active Directory through a premier, non-invasive service.

Service Overview
Microsoft Active Directory provides the means to manage the identities and relationships that make up a Windows network environment. It serves as the central repository that stores identity, authorisation, application, service-publication and directory service configuration data. It is an inherent part of distributed security and identity management and plays a key role in the manageability of a Windows server-based enterprise.

The baseline service addresses the administrative and maintenance tasks required to support Microsoft Active Directory, including:
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An administration service for the operation of Microsoft Active Directory. Operational responsibility and management of the physical and logical objects as defined in Microsoft Active Directory. Management of functions around the level and complexity of the service as defined by the statements of scope. Operation of Microsoft Active Directory within IT service objectives and goals of the business.

Dimension Datas Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory delivers greater convenience, functionality and optimised performance to organisations using Microsoft Active Directory.

The Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory is governed by detailed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that cover all aspects of the Microsoft Active Directory environment and associated services (DNS, WINS and DHCP). The service includes proactive online monitoring and directory administration. Reporting

Core Focus
The service covers the day-to-day management of Microsoft Active Directory components and the administration of all connections to other vital Microsoft objects. The service enables the remote deployment of technology across the server base that supports the Microsoft Active Directory applications, providing real-time status on servers and applications, and greater capacity and performance management. Additionally, the service provides proactive visibility into potential threats to service delivery, allowing you to manage them before they become business-impacting.

The service offers detailed ITIL-based reporting, including:

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Service level adherence Capacity and performance Incidents and problems Change control Release and patch deployment Service desk General health and recommendations.

Our Approach
Before initiating the service, Dimension Data remediates the existing Microsoft Active Directory infrastructure to a standardised platform, based on experience gained across many Microsoft Active Directory engagements around the world. From there, the infrastructure, related procedures and operational best practices are transitioned to our managed services team. The managed services team then assumes operational responsibility for Microsoft Active Directory by executing the defined process model against ITIL service management functions and processes. Additional services outside of the scope of the Managed Service can be provided on a per-project basis.

Dimension Datas Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory delivers greater convenience, functionality and optimised performance to organisations using Microsoft Active Directory.

Dimension Datas Approach To Delivering Managed Services

Current State Assessment

Implementation Planning and Rollout Services Transition to Managed Service

Desired State

Operational Management & Support

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Service Elements
Microsoft Active Services Functionality Directory Transformational & Transitional Services As Is Assessment Assessment Of Existing Implementation Assessment Of Existing Processes Managed Service For Microsoft Active Directory Optional Ad-Hoc Transformational Services

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Design And Development Activities

Design And Build Out Microsoft Active Directory To Meet The Standardised And Management Requirements Connecting Technologies - Design And Development Activities DNS Wins DHCP Network Time Service

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Support Technologies - Design And Implementation

Microsoft Operations Manager Windows Server Update Services

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Implementation Planning And Rollout Services

Dimension Data Primer Project Management Methodology Microsoft Active Directory Consolidation Microsoft Active Directory Reconfiguration Microsoft Active Directory Migration

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Customer Policy Definition And Process Interfacing Security Policy Call Logging

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Management Infrastructure - Operational Management & Support

Operational Transitioning Health Checks System Maintenance Monitoring, Reporting And Alerting Capacity Management Availability Management Security Management Server Patching Backup & Restore Integration With Customer Disaster Recovery Plan

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The Business Case

Some of the benefits of a managed service include: Risk Mitigation
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Skills And Resources

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The Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory removes operational challenges such as support availability and resourcing, as well as the risk of managing the operation of Microsoft Active Directory, which is the foundation for most client environments. Dimension Data supplies the technology and processes required for accurate delivery of IT objectives, enabling managed services clients to focus on their core business.

Dimension Data supplies outstanding technical skills and resources for organisations that do not want to employ additional resources or engage in expensive and time consuming training. Dimension Data is a global Microsoft Gold Partner and has extensive experience in planning, building and supporting complex Microsoft environments. As a managed service provider, we can leverage our operations and Microsoft skills against multiple clients. As a result, we can deliver against defined Service Level Agreements more cost-effectively than individual clients could do themselves.

Cost Containment
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With the Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory, organisations can realise long term cost savings upfront as they continue to grow and management becomes more complex. The service provides predictable monthly costs for the period of the agreement, assisting business planning processes.

Improved Service Level Management

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The service enforces early defined service levels that are measured and reported on. We provide a single source of accountability and responsibility.

Improved Management
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Comprehensive Service Level Agreements introduce a contracted approach to our Managed Services, ensuring your service levels and delivery parameters are watertight. Well-defined and documented procedures based on extensive deployment experience across a multitude of clients. Strong emphasis on security and naming standards. Periodic health checks to ensure infrastructure is optimal. IT Investment Costs Decoupled From Business Demand
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Effective operational optimisation to stay ahead of service levels. Optimisation of current infrastructure to maximise return on IT investment.

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Why Choose Dimension Data?

Planned, Built And Managed By Experts Dimension Data is an award-winning Microsoft partner around the world. Our Gold Partner status and credentials with Microsoft are the result of many years experience in the design, build and support of complex Microsoft environments. Our extensive experience in implementing successful managed services for many clients of all sizes and in all industry verticals means we have the wisdom and mileage to do it successfully for you. A Consultative Approach Dimension Data uses proven methodologies for the end-to-end delivery of services from auditing a clients existing infrastructure to supporting implemented technologies. We are a safe pair of hands along every step of the journey from audit to implementation. We focus on maximising the value of the infrastructure and continue on the path to creating and sustaining an optimised environment that delivers measurable return on investment. We use a Service Delivery Model that is aligned to ITIL (the IT Infrastructure Library) and MOF (Microsoft Operations Framework), to deliver the Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory. Industry Recognition Our most recent accolades include:
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Designed Around Your Needs The Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory offers you the flexibility to define the parameters of the service you need for your business. For example, clients may wish to retain the Data Management component in-house but require Dimension Data to provide service management our service model offers this capability. Our Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory does not lock you into a static contract and is designed to accommodate your unique business requirements.

2008 Microsoft Global Partner of the Year Infrastructure Solutions, Systems Management Two awards at the 2007 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Programme Awards: Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, Active Directory and Identity Management Partner of the Year Award Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, Exchange Migration and Deployment Partner of the Year Award.

For more information, please visit www.dimensiondata.com/microsoftsolutions

Regional Office Contact Details Johannesburg (Head Office)

The Campus, 57 Sloane Street, Cnr Sloane Street & Main Road, Bryanston, Johannesburg Tel: +27 11 575 0000

Bloemfontein
39 President Steyn Street, Westdene Bloemfontein Tel: +27 51 448 3894

Cape Town
Gleneagles Building, River Park, River Lane, Mowbray 7705 Tel: +27 21 659 2002

Durban
No 3 The Boulevard, Westway Office Park, Spine Road Westville, Durban Tel: +27 31 204 8400

East London
Building B3, Palm Square Business Park, Bonzabay Road, Beacon Bay, East London, 5241 Tel: +27 43 748 1405

Port Elizabeth
2 Alan Drive, Cnr Alan Drive & William Moffett Expressway, Fairview, Port Elizabeth Tel: +27 41 398 5300

www.dimensiondata.com/za
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