Maximize Your IT Potential with GDS Africa’s Expert Services
- Expert Support:
- Elevate Customer Experience
- Comprehensive IT Solutions
- Strategic Partnerships
Actionable Insight for Better Outcomes
GDS Africa has the broad, proven experience—and partnerships with all major manufacturers—to offer assessment capabilities across every critical discipline, including cloud, security, virtualization, networking, data center, and storage.
Our assessments help ensure your IT environment is secure and cloud-ready. You’ll be able to evaluate performance to support your business requirements and improve the customer experience as well as gain immediate insight into the health of your environment to reduce risk. You will be armed with an actionable remediation plan for critical issues, cost savings measures, and consolidation opportunities that support your business requirements. When you work with GDS Africa you can be confident that best practices are being used and that you’re adhering to industry standards and compliance requirements.
Cloud and Data Center Assessments
Determine the right cloud model for your applications and workloads, properly evaluate and plan for migration to public cloud, reduce data center risk, and optimize your environment, and prepare for hybrid computing.
IT Infrastructure Assessments
Prepare for IOT and digitization with our digital-ready network assessment, SD-WAN readiness assessment, infrastructure assessments, and infrastructure lifecycle assessments that provide a comprehensive view of your network—using a business-focused approach—and a roadmap for next steps.
Security Assessments
Know where your exposures are, so you can take action to eliminate them. Point-in-time tactical assessments help you identify security weaknesses, test for vulnerabilities, and create a remediation plan.
Putting You on a Path to Cloud Success
Regardless of where you are in your journey to cloud, there are challenges that can slow your migration, increase cost, or even derail your adoption. With expertise across key areas such as cloud assessments, foundational deployments, application modernization, migrations, and ongoing operation and management, GDS Africa can help ensure you meet your business goals and leverage cloud to its fullest potential.
Our service offerings cover the five most critical areas of cloud adoption: education, assessment, automation/orchestration, architect/design/deploy, and ongoing optimization and management.
Assessments
A clear understanding of your cloud compliance needs, estimated cloud costs, and application dependencies is crucial to planning and executing an efficient and timely migration to cloud. Our Multi-Cloud Feasibility and Multi-Cloud Readiness assessments help you gain the critical infrastructure, application, and cost information you need as foundation for your cloud journey.
Automation and Orchestration
As organizations continue to look toward multi-cloud architectures to gain advantages on where and when they move and scale workloads, portability is an absolute requirement. Containerization lends itself perfectly to this by allowing applications to be deployed across private and public clouds (GCP, AWS, Azure) in an automated and standardized fashion. Efforts to test, validate, and release have never been easier.
Our offerings include:
- Trainings: Docker/Kubernetes/Ansible Fundamentals
- Workshops: Automation/Container Explorations
- Customized Design/Build/Deployment Services
Architect/Design/Deploy
To be successful in deploying and adopting cloud services in a multi-cloud paradigm (whether hybrid, cloud DR, or a private/public cloud architecture spanning multiple cloud providers), it is imperative to have a properly-designed public cloud architecture as well as the ability to address security, connectivity, and management from your data center to the public cloud.
GDS Africa architect and design services provide a true multi-cloud architecture. Our team of highly-skilled architects and engineers can provide a scalable, compliant, and secure design—helping you build your multi-cloud infrastructure and automate the deployment of your business applications to that infrastructure.
Optimization and Management
Already in the cloud? We can help you optimize your spend and compliance with our Public Cloud Cost Optimization offering. Keeping cloud-based workloads compliant to your standards and regulatory requirements can be a difficult struggle. Handling bills and tracking spend across multiple cloud providers is an added challenge. Our cloud management platform service provides visibility to spend analytics and forecasts, unified billing, identification of optimization opportunities, compliance checks, and enforcement across all your public cloud providers.
Accelerated Horizon VDI on Azure
Leverage the team at GDS Africa to rapidly deploy a secure, cloud-based virtual desktop solution to minimize disruption to your key business functions in case of disasters, crisis, or any threats to business continuity. Built with VMware Horizon on Azure, this prescriptive offering is designed to rapidly provision access to employees regardless of their location.
Education
Education is often overlooked as a critical path to success for cloud adoption. Familiarity and understanding of concepts, capabilities, and constraints is imperative for all stakeholders and functions within your business to ensure timely and successful adoption and ROI of cloud services. Our trainings and workshops range from foundational understanding of cloud to technical deep dives around orchestration and automation, providing the guidance needed to make sound decisions on your cloud journey.
Our offerings include:
- Cloud, Container, and Automation Explorations
- AWS/Azure Foundations
- SDN/SD-WAN/Containers/Kubernetes/Ansible
Speed IT Deployment and ROI
Looking for an efficient way to get up and running quickly? GDS Africa Integration Services consolidate individual components from multiple OEMs into a single SKU in one cabinet, fully-functional upon arrival for faster ROI. Rely on a one-stop shop for full project management based on a repeatable, proven methodology with standardized processes and documentation. We can facilitate multiple site deployments to speed time to market, scaling from low level imaging to full cabinet integration and remote connectivity for final configuration. Leverage GDS Africa bench of engineers across multiple IT disciplines to get the job done correctly and quick.
Device Staging
GDS Africa leverages multiple pre-staging racks utilized for pre-configuring servers, switches, routers, storage, and other devices.
Software Imaging
We facilitate laptop/PC imaging projects for numerous customers concurrently with our efficient and proven methodology to ensure consistency and adherence to standards.
Rack Build Services
GDS Africa has ample cabinet integration floor space to configure multiple unified racks at one time (rack/stack/configure/label/cable) consisting of numerous devices, fully configured, and from multiple OEMs—from simple to complex deployments.
Asset Tagging
We perform visual inspection and replace components if damaged, apply customer-provided asset tags, record serial numbers/passwords/asset tags/make/model, and then repackage the product and prepare for shipping.
Logistics
GDS Africa performs Warehouse Management Services, including bundling shipments together, kitting different hardware from multiple OEMs, warehousing for short- and long-term engagements, and shipping (both domestic and international).
Custom Offerings
Apart from the standard SKUs service offerings, GDS Africa can design, configure, and deploy for your specific requirements.
Move from Managing IT to Managing Outcomes
Our Managed Services practice is built on a unique synergy of people, process, and tools. We deliver 24x7x365 support, a rigorous ITIL-based framework that is independently certified and audited, and customized tools and dashboards that provide greater visibility and intelligence to drive business decisions. Ready to connect the dots from your current state to achieve the future state your business needs?
Flexible Engagement Models—Geared Specifically to Your Business
We offer customized business process out-tasking with on-site support options—scalable to grow as your business needs evolve. We can integrate with your existing processes and architecture in a non-disruptive way to provide around the clock support for a range of IT lifecycle services. You can also engage with GDS Africa for a broad range of fully-managed “as a Service” offerings with flexible consumption models and comprehensive project management.
Managed Services for Infrastructure and Cloud
Benefit from 24x7x365 proactive support across your infrastructure as well as public, hybrid, and private cloud environments, including Enhanced Maintenance Support, Executive Services, and Cloud Hosted Services.
Enhanced Maintenance Support
Simplify your support experience with single-call support for multi-vendor environments and for faster time to resolution, greater visibility, and enhanced operational efficiency
Managed Security Services
Leverage a uniquely prescriptive approach to managed security with as-a-Service offerings like vulnerability management. Extend the reach of your security team through SOC as a Service for traditional and cloud environments as well as endpoint and anti-virus solutions.
GDS Africa Service Desk
Take advantage of an ITIL-compliant framework and a central point of contact to troubleshoot, triage, and resolve your IT service issues with efficacy and speed.
Asset Management Service
Ensure data integrity across your install base and gain real-time visibility to manage, measure, and govern your IT assets.
GDS Africa Complimentary Services
We offer a full range of services, from Managed Power Protection to Managed Out Tasking, Connectivity Services, Colocation Services, Managed Cloud, and UCaaS.
Experience Counts
When it comes to maximizing your IT deployments, GDS Africa draws upon solid experience gained from hundreds of successfully delivered engagements – and we bring that collective knowledge to every customer project. With more than 30 engineers certified by the top OEMs in the world, we apply our expertise across all disciplines—including cloud, data center, security, networking, collaboration, and emerging technologies. With GDS Africa working hard on your side, you’ll have a trusted partner to plan, architect, deploy, support, and optimize every aspect of your IT footprint.
Business Consulting
In order to be most effective, technology must be aligned to your business. We take the time to fully understand your business, your specific requirements, your existing environment, and the outcomes you seek—so that we can provide tailored, strategic, technology-driven insight and guidance that helps you better leverage IT to enable your business.
Assessments
Through our assessments, we provide insight that enables you to adapt to shifting demands and make your IT environment more reliable, scalable, high performing, and secure. You will be armed with an actionable remediation plan for critical issues, cost savings measures, and consolidation opportunities.
Workshops and Training
During our workshops, we define and explore various technologies, solutions, concepts, and implementation practices that consider your challenges and today’s business landscape. Our wide range of technical training courses give your team the capabilities and knowledge they need to support the next phase of our business.
Project Management
Our highly-experienced team of fully-accredited and certified PMPs follow an ITIL/PMI-based approach and proven methodology. With quality assurance built into our flexible service models and centralized project management delivery processes—complemented by a clear focus on team leadership, customer advocacy, and commitment to service—you’ll benefit from accelerated migrations as well as reduced risk and cycle time.
Integration Services
We offer packaged equipment staging services to prepare manufacturer hardware for installation and final configuration in your environment, delivering a complete, turn-key solution to build out your entire environment before it arrives at your facility—regardless of complexity or manufacturer.
Cloud Consulting Services
Whether you are defining your strategy, selecting and evaluating platforms, building and deploying your framework, or continuing to optimize operations, we can help every step of the way towards a cloud-enabled enterprise foundation.
Security Services
Engage a methodology aimed at identifying risk and positioning a holistic and prioritized mitigation strategy through advisory and assessment services.
All Hands on Deck to Help You Navigate the Challenges of COVID-19
GDS Africa has been supporting many customers with our Staffing and On-Demand Services, helping them extend the reach of their teams as they shift to secure and remote workforce scenarios.
- On-Demand Smart Hands: Due to travel restrictions, you might be facing difficulties getting people on site for critical tasks. We can assist by dispatching short-term “Smart Hands” for on-site or remote support (for everything from on-site configuration and port changes to rack/stack tasks, data center inventory, and cabling as well as remote engineering support).
- Staffing Support: We can supplement your internal staff to help with a variety of IT-related tasks, including remote worker support, configuring VPNs, network support, and more to act as an extension of your teams.
- Call Center / Service Desk / Help Desk Assistance: Adjusting to a remote work environment has inundated many of our customers’ call centers and help desks. GDS Africa offers a variety of services to alleviate the pressure on your internal teams, from temporary assistance to triage calls and handle level 1 troubleshooting to a fully-outsourced Service Desk.
- Staging/Imaging: The demands of supporting a remote workforce are significant. We have helped many customers stage and image thousands of laptops for at-home use and keep their workforce up and running.
The People You Need, When You Need Them
Rigorously vetted by our dedicated staffing professionals, GDS Africa helps you find and place candidates to perfectly supplement your team while comfortably fitting into your organization’s culture. Fill specific technology gaps and bring technically challenging projects in house—so you can respond rapidly to changing technology and business demands while lowering operational costs with simplified contractual terms.
Flexible Headcount Options
GDS Africa utilizes vetted staffing partners, in-house recruiters, and our internal engineering staff to bring you the best resources—at the lowest cost and with the fastest turnaround. We tailor the solution to precisely fit your needs, providing staffing support anywhere in the United States, locally or remotely, and for the timeframe you need. All personnel we place have access to the collective technical brainpower of our 650+ engineers who provide ongoing support.
Contingent
GDS Africa will provide high-quality teams or individual professionals to support temporary projects—so you can support your business objectives.
Contract-to-hire
Take the time to evaluate resources before bringing them on as full-time employees. You’ll minimize cost, improve efficiency, and reduce risk.
Direct Hire
GDS Africa will pre-screen candidates to save you time and help streamline your internal recruitment efforts. We can assist your HR and Hiring Managers throughout the interview and onboarding process.
Tailored Project Teams
We will accurately assess your specific needs and requirements in order to build the right teams for your major initiatives.
When Time Is of the Essence
When you work with GDS Africa, you’ll be able to leverage task-oriented engineering support on a time and materials basis to ensure critical projects meet your deadline and budget requirements. We can help you ensure business continuity and supplement your staff with IT expertise and services available in short order. Take advantage of increased efficiency, flexibility, and scalability benefits to drive employee engagement and innovation—all from a single point of contact for a variety of on-demand services throughout the United States and across the globe.
IT Asset Disposition
GDS Africa can help with data destruction and responsible recycling for nearly any electronic devices— for a one-stop solution for IT asset disposition/management, data destruction, and end-of-life recycling. Services include asset reallocation, decommissioning and disposal, asset refresh and buy back, and inventory/serial number capture.
Integration Services
GDS Africa provides equipment staging services to prepare manufacturer hardware for installation and final configuration in your environment. We provide a variety of integration services, including software imaging, rack build services, asset tagging, logistics, and custom offerings.
Deployments
Quickly stage, roll out, or refresh “commoditized” technology across the United States and globally to ensure business continuity and the success of your critical IT projects. We facilitate new equipment rollouts and refreshes, software upgrades, office moves, and wireless site surveys.
Build the Skills Your Team Needs
GDS Africa offers one- to five-day, instructor-led courses featuring leading partner technologies. We provide flexible education options delivered virtually or on site (at designated customer, GDS Africa, or other authorized training facilities). We also limit class sizes to maximize instructor/student interaction.
Leverage expert instruction and real-life experiences from certified senior solution architects who spend their time working with customers in the field in a variety of industry verticals. When you invest in training services, you’ll attract and retain top employees by offering robust and high-caliber technical training that boosts employees’ careers and skill sets while promoting enthusiastic adoption of products or technologies by your user
Technology Workshops
Our workshops help you define and explore various technologies, solutions, concepts, and implementation practices you may need to consider when facing business challenges that impact today’s business landscape. We review your business objectives, baseline your requirements, evaluate technology relevance (including tools, processes, and skillset), and provide the cross-functional technology expertise needed to help your initiatives be more impactful.
Technical Training
Our technical training offerings range from Cloud, End-to-End Automation, Containerization, and Infrastructure Automation to DevOps, Open-Source technologies, and tooling. We focus on providing your teams with hands-on experience for deployment, configuration, policy creation, installation, troubleshooting, and implementation of architectural best practices.
Security Workshops
Through strategic security consulting, GDS Africa helps clients understand and define their true business risk in order to cultivate and maintain a strong security posture. Security workshops offer in-person strategic consulting around Cloud Usage & Risk, Endpoint Threat Prevention & Response, and SOAR.