WA- based listed mining group Macmahon Holdings has chosen Novell's Open Enterprise Server and identity management solution as the foundation of its Global One network as part of a major strategic IT overhaul.

The company has engaged Novell as a strategic IT partner in a deal to supply Open Enterprise Server, GroupWise, ZEN Asset Manager, exteNd portal and Novell Professional Identity Management solutions. The Macmahon Global One network will provide access anywhere, anytime on any device for its 700 users across the Asia Pacific.

Macmahon Holdings CIO Jason Cowie said the Novell solution would run the entire core foundation of the Global One network, providing security, user access, identity management, and printing and file storage applications.

"As a contracting firm, with staff frequently changing locations, we need to be able to move quickly when required. We see the Global One network strategy as integral to allowing our staff to become more efficient and able to handle rapid work issues," he said.

The network will leverage Web-based technology and Novell's Identity Manager Professional to allow Macmahon staff to access their own applications and information, with a single log on as they move between locations - without having to call on the IT department for assistance or be reliant on the hardware available.

All servers, desktops and PDA devices will be centrally managed.

The company has 700 users running Windows 2000/XP with a large variety of Win32 applications.

The company will use Zen Asset Manager, a recently released software inventory management application, to view software installations and manage licences.

Macmahon Holdings will be installing over 20 Open Enterprise servers which will be rolled out over the next eight to 12 months.

The company operates in more than 35 locations throughout Asia Pacific with annual revenue of more than US$600 million.