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Advanced Application Delivery Solution for Growing Online Retailer
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
- Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
- Networks & Connectivity - Network Management & Analysis Software
Applicable Industries
- Retail
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
- Sales & Marketing
Services
- Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
The online space is a highly competitive market, where the end-user experience is an essential focus for online retailers such as 123inkt.nl. Optimizing website performance can have significant benefits, specifically by converting more clicks into sales through faster website performance. To meet the challenges associated with growth, 123inkt.nl exclusively sought a hardware-based load balancing solution for their new web platform, a solution that would improve uptime, include high-performance caching, and provide faster page loading time for end-users. Load tests were performed with vendors such as Cisco and Barracuda Networks as well as Linux Virtual Server (LVS). A10 Networks® was highly recommended by Quanza Engineering, an A10 Certified Partner.
About The Customer
Based in the Netherlands, 123inkt.nl started its e-commerce company back in 2000 selling a range of inkjet and toner cartridges. Over the past few years the product range has grown rapidly to an extensive selection of printer and office supplies. The 123inkt.nl website receives over 550,000 visitors a month. 123inkt.nl is the current leader in online sales of printer supplies in the Netherlands with more than 40 percent year over year growth. 123inkt.nl’s growth stems from its ability to provide high-quality products as well as personal customer service, including next-day deliveries. 123inkt.nl has won numerous awards for “Best Online Store” in the Computer Hardware & Software category in the Netherlands every year since 2008.
The Solution
A10 Networks Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) showed an overall performance increase due to its proven dependability and wealth of features; as a result 123inkt.nl selected A10 ADCs for its network infrastructure upgrade. Due to the A10 ADCs and 123inkt.nl’s new server hardware platform, an overall performance increase resulted. “During our initial load test, performance increased by 22 percent over our installed system, right out of the box! A10 ADCs also had double digit performance gains over other tested systems,” explains Tim de Wolf, CIO at 123inkt.nl. A10 ADC allows for an optimal performance environment, which is especially attractive for 123inkt.nl to handle any peak traffic conditions that may arise, a particular focus for online retailers. 123inkt.nl conducted several tests to qualify the system response times comparing the old platform with no server load balancing solution, the Linux Virtual Server (LVS), and A10 ADCs. The tests verified that A10 ADCs could effortlessly handle an increasing load of concurrently active users on the website. This is especially important to 123inkt.nl, as the chosen platform needs to be able to handle sudden peaks in website traffic. In addition, making the right choice was especially critical for 123inkt.nl. Their investment had to be able to handle the company’s rapid growth.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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