Connectivity – InfoConnect
Connectivity - InfoConnect
24 January 2012
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1.
What is Infoconnect
The InfoConnect service was designed to seamlessly provide connectivity from any of
our corporate customers to the service providers with whom they have, or wish to
have, a working relationship. InfoConnect links customers to 3 rd party service providers
through the IS network in a secure, reliable and resilient way. With just a single link
into the IS MPLS network, customers are able to access multiple service providers
across a diverse range of industries, which provide business critical services and
applications.
2.
Service Description
To understand the InfoConnect product it’s best to first define a scenario. Let’s say we
have a Company Head office with various users on their network. Their business
critical functions require a connection to multiple servic e providers like a mobile
operator for the usage of Bulk SMS services. Card authorizations, travel solutions,
vehicle tracking and business online banking are also required for their daily
operations. From the scenario illustrated below are costly independent links, which are
put into place to each of these Service Providers to gain a close, working relationship
and this could be difficult to maintain due to the range of Service Providers required.
They will also be susceptible to a loss in connectivity unless costly redundant links are
put in place to all Service Providers, which will be difficult to manage. This scenario
also illustrates the alternative means of connectivity which could be through the
Internet for certain services, but this produces a solu tion which may not be as secure
and reliable with no traffic prioritization and hence a service with no guarantees.
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Figure 1: Inefficient Connectivity
The InfoConnect product provides a solution to this by providing a single link to the
Customer between their network and multiple Service Providers thorough the IS MPLS
network.
Figure 2: Customer accessing multiple InfoConnect Service Providers
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3.
Services
Currently there is a total of 22 SP’s on the IS network providing multiple services. IS is
able to take on service providers across any industry with any service or application
they wish to offer.
The range of services currently offered by each Service Provider is detailed below.
3.1.
Cellular Providers
3.1.1.
MTN
Services offered

MMS - MMS provides consumers with a combination of text, sound, pictures and video,
all in one message.

EBB - Event Billing allows WASPs to bill MTN customers for products and services by
creating a billing event, which is independent of any MTN network bearer services.

SMS - These are SMSes that go to customers that have subscribed to or requested
such information. Bulk SMSes are used to send one message to a large group of
people. For example: announcing a clothing sale at a retail store.

USSD - USSD is a menu-application technology that is used to initiate a session that
sends a message (similar to SMS) between a mobile phone and an application menu in
the network.

IVR - Interactive Voice Response. Also known as a “Voice Menu system”, IVR is the
system responsible for playing automated messages that prompts customers who call a
specified telephone number. (To be confirmed)
3.1.2.
Vodacom
Services offered

Billing - This is an online billing service that allows a WASP to bill on an event basis for
any amounts up to R50. It provides greater flexibility than premium rated SMS or USSD
as the WASP can determine when and how much the billing ticket should be.

3.1.3.
Bulk SMS - Bulk SMSes are used to send one message to a large group of people.
CellC - Bulk SMS
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3.2.
Banking Providers
3.2.1.
Standard Bank
Services Offered

Business Online (Domestic) - It is a Windows driven electronic system, delivered
through Cats, that uses Internet technology to provide a range of business banking
services and financial information through its account management, funds transfer and
messaging modules.

Host–to–host - It is an automated delivery solution that creates a secure link between
your financial applications and the Bank's mainframe system. It allows for the exchange
of information between your business and the bank with little or no manual intervention.
The client needs to contact Standard Bank and finalised the necessary commercial
agreements.
3.2.2.
FNB (First National Bank)
Services Offered

FNB Online (Previously knowns as BankIT)

Corporate Access Management Systems (CAMS) - Medium to large corporate
businesses will benefit from direct electronic access to FNB's mainframe, where
statements can be viewed or downloaded and cash flow monitored on a real-time basis.
All that is needed is a FNB Corporate Cheque Account.

Payments and Collections Service (PACS) - This fully automated Windows-based
system is suited to corporate clients that require high volumes of electronic funds
transfers and collections. All thxat is needed is a FNB Corporate Cheque Account.

Receipt It – is a product that delivers a realtime notification of messages of transactions
that are processed against a clients account. The messages are sent via the Receipt It
Server to an API (Developed by FNB) at the client site. The client uses these messages
(Transactions) to update their LOB for logistical purposes intended for the effective
“delivery of services” environment.

MyGate/ eWallet – FNB Merchant acquiring. This service allows POS devices to link to
the FNB Card acquiring systems.
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3.2.3.

Hyphen
HYPHEN Online Credit Card Authorisation System - This system is designed
specifically for the call centre environment and allows for credit card transactions to be
pre-authorised online while the call centre agent is talking to the client.
3.2.4.
ABSA
Services Offered

Cash Focus

Remote.absa.co.za

SSL VPN service
3.2.5.
Nedbank
Services Offered

NedInform - NedInform is designed primarily for users with fairly complex or
sophisticated transaction requirements. It permits controlled access to your accounts via
your own PCs linked to Nedbank"s mainframe. Using the latest smartcard technology to
guarantee security, NedInform allows you to carry out virtually all your company’s
financial transactions digitally. You can even customise account lists according to each
user’s access privileges.
3.2.6.
ABSA Capital - FIX
3.2.7.
Bankserv
Services Offered

InfoConnect xcom service for acb application
3.3.
Financial Services
3.3.1.
JSE (Johannesburg Securities Exchange)
The JSE InfoConnect product provides a resilient and tailormade connectivity solution
between customers and the JSE’s trading platform.
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Systems Utilised

Equity Market (Production,Test & Conformance Environments)

IRI (Interactive Request Interface) – Multicast Data (Public Data)

SII (Secure Interactive Data) – Unicast Data(Private Data)

End of Day Files (Downloads/Uploads) – FTP/FTPS/HTTP/HTTPS

BDA (Broker Dealer Accounting) – Backend Accounting Service (Mainframe System)

ERD (Electronic Report Distribution) – FTP

TMS (Trade Monitoring System) – Mainframe

SAM (Swift Alliance Messenger)

N.B – BDA is being replaced by the MSS system, which is a windows based system.

Derivatives Market

Equity & Commodities – All clients connect to the Nutron system which is a windows
based system as well as the end of day files(FTP/FTPS/HTTP/HTTPS)

Interest Rate Market

Utilises the Nutron system as well as the end of day files(FTP/FTPS/HTTP/HTTPS)
The bandwidth requirements for the services and applications provided by the JSE are
listed in the table below. The only application that uses MC data is the Host to Host
service, highlighted in red. Within this service there are 19 BDG’s (Multicas t Groups
which can be subscribed to and should be confirmed on the Pre -Install). * The JSE
InfoWiz is a separate MC service on its own and can be selected without JSE
TradeElect.
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Service
Minimum Bandwidth
Primary
Secondar
y
Equities - Host to Host
(Including TradeElect and
6 Mbps
MPLS/
MPLS/
Fibre
Fibre
MPLS/
MPLS/
Fibre
Fibre
JSE InfoWiz) *
Talx ASP
64k per user
Equities Derivatives Market
180k per user per
MPLS/
MPLS/
(EDM)
market **
Fibre
Fibre
Commodities Derivatives
64k per user per
MPLS/
MPLS/
Market (CDM)
market **
Fibre
Fibre
Currency and Interest Rate
180k per user per
MPLS/
MPLS/
Market (IRM)
market **
Fibre
Fibre
64k per user per
MPLS/Fib
MPLS/Fib
market **
re
re
MPLS/
MPLS/
Fibre
Fibre
MPLS/
MPLS/
Fibre
Fibre
MPLS/
MPLS/
Fibre
Fibre
MPLS/
MPLS/
Fibre
Fibre
MPLS/
MPLS/
Fibre
Fibre
Global Market
MSS System
70k per user ***
BDA
15k per user
Equity End of Day
Dissemination
Dissemination
(EDM/CDM/IRM)
64k
64k
Information Subscriber
512k per market
(EDM/CDM/IRM)
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The list of Multicast groups or BDG’s are detailed in the table below.
Broadcast Service (Multicast Group)
BDG Ref
JSE Start of Day Public Order Book
J01
Market Reference Data-Full Download (Includes JSE, NSX and LSE)
B10
JSE Market Rules FULL Download
J02
JSE Market Reference Data FULL Download (Segment based
J03
includes NSX)
Market Reference Data-CHANGES (Includes JSE, NSX and LSE)
B11
JSE Market Rules-CHANGES (Includes NSX)
J10
JSE Market Reference Data-CHANGES (Segment based includes
J11
NSX)
JSE Full Order Book Level 2 (JSE Orders)
J20
JSE Best Bid and Ask Level 1 (JSE Intraday Prices)
J21
JSE Trades
J22
JSE Market Status Indicators
J23
JSE VW AP
J24
JSE Cumulative number and volume of Trades
J25
JSE News Service (SENS)
J50
FTSE/JSE Africa Index Series (JSE Indices)
J51
NSX Start of Day Public Order Book
N01
NSX Market Data, plus SENS
N02
NSX Trades
N03
FTSE/JSE Africa Index Series for NSX (NSX Indices)
N04
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3.4.
Credit Vetting Providers
3.4.1.
Experian Scorex
Services Offered
Scorex - Experian assists credit-lenders through the development of statistical
scorecards, data analysis, strategic consultancy, and software solutions that enable
the most competitive, profitable customer acquisition strategies.
3.4.2.
ITC (TransUnion)
Services Offered:
TransUnionCB - Bureau Enquiries (BCX Mainframe)
TransUnion CB - Bureau Enquiries (BCX Web Services)
TransunUnionCB– Bureau Enquiries Web Services (Hosted & IS)
TransUnion CGS - Cheque Guarantee (BCX)
3.4.3.
KreditInform
Services Offered
Discover - The Discover software placed KreditInform at the forefront of technological
development in the credit information market. This package has enormous benefits for
the user of online information in terms of ease of use, interpretation of data and system
integration. KreditInform subsequently developed Discover-Net, a Discover version
based on web browsers. This version is currently available to subscribers with
dedicated access to KreditInform and will be released for full Int ernet access at a later
stage.
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3.4.4.
XDS
(Xpert Decision Systems)
Services Offered
Online Enquiry - The XDS Internet-based online system uses powerful search engine
technology to provide customers with real-time access to consumer information.
3.5.
Application Solution Providers
3.5.1.
SAP OSS
Services Offered

Online Support System (OSS)- Companies in South Africa who have or will be
deploying SAP may have the requirement to establish a secure connection with SAP
Germany to facilitate SAP OSS remote support on their systems locally in South Africa.
SAP OSS is a secure network connection that connect SAP's customer network to SAP
support network in Germany to use "R/3 Online Services"
3.6.
Travel Solution Providers
3.6.1.
Galileo
Galileo offers a complete suite of travel related software products designed to
contribute to the growth and profitability of the travel agency. Galileo Southern Africa
continually develops automation solutions to help travel agencies respond to the
growing sophistication and demands of their clients — and stay on the leading edge of
travel industry technology.
Services Offered:
360° Fares, Agency Private Fares, Airline Private Fares, Airline Products CarMaster
ClickPoint Custom Check, Custom Fares, Desktop, E-Agent, E-Commerce Products, ETicketing, E-Tracker, Fax-2-E-Mail, Focalpoint Relay, FocalpointNet, Front Page,
Galileo Leisure, Host E-Mail, Inside Availability, Inside Link, Inside Shopper, Neat
Agent, Queues, RoomMaster Sales & Reservations, Products Satellite Ticket Printing,
Scriptwriter, SMS-eT, Travelbuy, Travelport, Travelscreen, Viewpoint, Viewtrip,
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3.7.
Vehicle Tracking
3.7.1.
C-Track
Services Offered

C-track Solo: A full featured scaleable, remotely upgradeable mobile solution developed
specifically for the Professional Hauler, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Mobile
Workforce Management & Emergency Services applications.

C-Track Assist: Developed specifically to assist with the management of commercial
fleets, sales vehicles, FML & Car Rental vehicle security applications.

C-track Commute: is an advanced, user-friendly stolen vehicle recovery system which
contributes to the success of your business by giving information about the actual use of
your taxis.

C-track Secure: When you fit C-track Secure vehicle tracking system to your car, you
get more than just stolen vehicle recovery. You get control and complete peace of mind

C-track Secure PLUS: has an internal movement sensor, allowing it to identify vehicle
movement even when the ignition is off. C-track Secure PLUS allows you to create a
Preferred Movement Area generating an alarm if the are is breached.
3.8.
Card Switching
3.8.1.
Altech Card Solutions
Altech Card Solutions is an operating division of Altech Limited. Altech Limited is a
multi-billion Rand technology and service provider company that operates from South
Africa but with business interests in specific African countries. Altech Card Solution is
a specific operating company in the group that focuses on the following:
Supply, support and software development for the Gemalto Magic3 financial point of
sale devices and PIN Entry Devices
Supply and support of DataCard card printing and personlisation equipment
Supply of services and products relating to data security and data encryption
Offering secure and certified bank and private label card issuing and processing on
behalf of our customers
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Services Offered
The services that Altech Card Solutions offers to customers and which customers can
subscribe to are the secure electronic acquiring and processing of card and other card
related financial transactions both destined to banks or other financial services
providers such as Edcon. The services can be full end-to-end services or just routing
services as per the customers’ requirements.
3.8.2.
Destiny
Destiny is a wholly owned subsidiary of UCS (PTY) Ltd, a JSE listed company.
www.ucs.co.za Destiny provides a payment switching functionality using software
developed and maintained by Traderoot Africa (PTY) Ltd www.traderoot.com
Destiny provides a multi-application, bank agnostic, fully vertically integrated service
from point of sale to back office transactional and financial switching. Destiny strives to
provide to its business partners a one-stop E commerce point of sale solution
facilitating transactions that enhance their ability to satisfy their customers .
Services Offered

Integrated EFT

Private Label Gift Card Solutions

Integrated Airtime
3.9.
Procurement
3.9.1.
MyMarket
MyMarket is an online e-marketplace company that hosts web applications for eprocurement and online travel booking tools.
Services Offered

3.9.2.
Market place and travel services
ETC (Electronic Toll Collection)
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4.
Product Components
To conceptualise the product on a whole the components that make up the product
from a high level are describe in Figure 3 below.
For the service provider the two components relevant to the service is the Last mile
connectivity into the IS environment which is the telco circuit as d escribed as well as
the InfoConnect MPLS port.
For the Customer the requirement is for both routers, and ports to be configured for the
VPN service and subscription to the InfoConnect service. Bandwidth for both the
products is relevant and
the last mile connection from the customer into the IS
environment.
Finally from IS the product has the regular 24/7 support with statistics. Together with
this there is also proactive monitoring.
These components all tie together to form the InfoConnect product offering.
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Figure 3: InfoConnect Product Components
5.
Benefits to Service Providers and Customers
Firstly Looking at the Service provider the benefits of the InfoConnect service is that
the Services or Applications are provisioned securely to the customers adhering to all
security procedures Service providers may have in place. Service providers are not
able to access each others’ networks as well as inappropriate users who are not
subscribed to the InfoConnect service with that particular service provider.
The service providers have access to Internet Solutions exis ting customer base of
which there are approximately 70% who are already MPLS enabled. So for the Service
provider there is seamless connectivity to any of these customers with just a link into
the IS network.
To provide a resilient service, the only requirement is the redundant links into the
Internet Solutions environment and the standard MPLS port. This means a minimised
running and operational cost for the SP.
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Lastly the connection between Service provider and Customer is maintained and
handled by Internet solutions so there can be increased focus on the core applications
or services for the service provider.
Service/Applications are provisioned securely to
clients
Access to IS existing corporate customers
Minimal operational and running costs
Ability for increased focus on core applications for
the SP
For the Customer the benefit is a secure and seamless connection to multiple Service
Providers via Internet Solutions network and not via Internet breakout so there is a
close working relationship between Service provider and Customer
There is only A single link into the IS MPLS environment required and the capability of
multi-circuit redundancy if required.
This also eliminates the requirement for a separate link to a corporate ISP. Across the
same link used to provision InfoConnect services, IS can also accommodate internet
breakout as well as access to any other IS services. e.g. Remote Access, Hosting,
VPN services, Security services etc.
Finally, The MPLS VPN product is a fully managed QoS solution that has a
performance level unattainable over the Internet.
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Secure, Seamless connectivity to a range of SP’s
Single connectivity link into the IS environment
with the capability of multi-circuit redundancy
Eliminates requirement for a separate link to the
corporate ISP
A fully managed End-to-End MPLS VPN solution with
QoS aware traffic prioritisation
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