Damas implements e-mail solution powered by Sun Microsystems technology

The new system, which replaces a legacy e-mail system built upon Microsoft Exchange, offers Damas easier maintenance, superior cost-controls and the ability to expand the number of employees using e-mail without increasing licensing fees.

Built upon Sun server LX-50 and deploying e-mail software developed by Netvision using Sun Linux 5.0, the open source operating system, the solution can continue to expand exponentially and add users without creating any additional costs for Damas.

'Damas has branches across the Middle East and around the world, including 100 + outlets in the UAE, so communication internally and with customers is critical for us to function effectively as a business,' said Krishna Raj, IT manager, Damas.

'Our new e-mail solution will ensure that our communication infrastructure expands as our company grows, and, by deploying a Linux-based solution, we will not have to increase license fees to support such expansion. The solution means a greater number of employees can now use our email system, and should result in fewer technical issues,' added Raj.

Installation of the new server took just one hour, with user rights access taking a further two days to establish. More than150 Damas employees in the UAE now access the system.

'Damas wanted to increase the number of email users, and stop the erratic behavior and maintenance costs of their existing system,' said Prashant Gupta, business development manager, Netvision. 'With support from Tech Access, we demonstrated to them how the Sun solution would work, and developed a software solution that fully supported Damas' business needs.'

'To date there has been zero downtime and there are 150 users connected comfortably. It is a seamless environment, with no hidden costs or additional investment,' Gupta added.

The new system is equipped to handle heavy email traffic, with minimum management and requires no proxy client to access the proxy server.

'Damas is an ideal example how visionary companies are investing sensibly in technology that contributes to streamlining operations and cutting costs,' said Stavros Vougas, channel and marketing manager, Sun Microsystems Middle East and North Africa.

Tech Access played a key role in the development process and implementation of the Damas solution, offering ongoing support for Netvision in the development of the e-mail solution, and providing technical support to ensure smooth execution upon the Sun technology.

'A major part of our role at Tech Access is to support Sun's partners and to help ensure that they are providing the best fit solution for their customers. Increasingly, as companies look to innovative solutions like Linux to enable them to introduce smoother operations at a lower cost, it will be the suppliers with the most effective partnerships that deliver the greatest success,' said Shomail Ghalib, managing director, Tech Access.