Cisco and IBM (News - Alert) are partnering to improve the wildlife sanctuary, Carnivore Preservation Trust (CPT) in Pittsboro, North Carolina. This objective will be achieved with a high-performance server and networking infrastructure, and other cutting-edge technology.

 

The Carnivore Preservation Trust is a nonprofit organization that rescues tigers, leopards and other carnivores and nurses them back to health. IBM and Cisco (News - Alert) are teaming up to offer the organization voice, video and Web technology. These solutions will help CPT staff and volunteers improve the quality of care offered to endangered animals.

Established in 1981, CPT has been dealing with issues related to archaic technology infrastructure and obsolete servers. The organization has faced problems with sporadic Internet access as well as lack of voicemail and modern mobile telephony for on-field communication.

 

The activities and health of every animal is monitored on a daily basis and the information is stored on databases. Additionally, the organization receives calls every month from pet owners looking to give up their grown-up tigers and large cats. At the same time, pressure from authorities makes it difficult for these pet owners to raise these animals. However, CPT hasn’t been able to do justice to its work due to outdated technology.

A team of Cisco and IBM volunteers offered to help CPT in the modernization of its operations. As part of the process, CPT installed a high-performance clustered-server solution based on IBM System x servers integrated with Cisco networking technology. The systems work in tandem to offer sufficient hard drive storage for all of CPT's databases, with additional space as well. At the same time, these solutions remove bottlenecks and enhance the processing power.

 

A Cisco Unified Communications (News - Alert) system, which comprises IP phones, softphones and voicemail, will offer volunteers a business-class communications solution. The solution will offer guest and business partners a faster and simpler means to communicate with representatives from CPT. Cisco has also redesigned a wired and wireless local area network for the administration building. The network will link staff and volunteers to all peripheral devices, high- performance clustered servers and high-speed Internet.

For the next phase of the information technology (IT) transformation, the solution will include video surveillance for better security at CPT's 55-acre compound. With the help of the high-performance infrastructure, CPT will be able to run and store live videos from cameras situated across the property.

 

The 24x7 streaming video will help in monitoring the animals. At the same time, CPT donors and educational groups across the country will be able to watch the streaming video on the CPT Website. Video capability will also enable CPT to work with other animal research facilities and veterinary hospitals around the world to offer better animal care.