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Gaining the flexibility to grow and diversify globally with IBM and SAP
Technology Category
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Cloud Computing
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Cloud Storage Services
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Data Management Platforms
Applicable Industries
- Equipment & Machinery
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
- Sales & Marketing
Use Cases
- Supply Chain Visibility
- Inventory Management
Services
- Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
HANSA-FLEX, a hydraulics specialist, differentiates itself through the speed of its logistics processes. However, as the business grew, it faced the challenge of ensuring that its SAP landscape would keep up the pace. The company's previous server landscape, which was based on larger, monolithic servers, needed regular upgrades, which could lead to downtime. This was a significant challenge as HANSA-FLEX uses SAP ERP applications to operate a global network of branches and a fleet of express vehicles that enable its technicians to respond rapidly to failures and maintenance requests. The company needed a more flexible, modular configuration, where it could expand capacity as needed with minimal impact on its 12 production systems.
About The Customer
HANSA-FLEX is a leading global supplier of hydraulics components. Headquartered in Bremen, the company operates 393 branches and a fleet of 302 rapid-response service vans in 36 countries. HANSA-FLEX employs 3,394 people and generated a turnover of EUR405 million (USD453.51 million) in 2014. The company strives to deliver its range of 95,000 high-quality products within less than 24 hours. To achieve this level of performance, efficient stock management and advanced logistics are essential. For this reason, HANSA-FLEX uses SAP ERP applications to help it operate a global network of branches and a fleet of express vehicles that enable its technicians to respond rapidly to failures and maintenance requests.
The Solution
To boost scalability and flexibility, HANSA-FLEX migrated its SAP ERP applications onto a new infrastructure, built on IBM Power System 824 servers running the IBM i operating system. The company worked with IBM Business Partner BLUE Consult and BLUE STEC to redesign its IT architecture. To streamline its IT landscape, HANSA-FLEX implemented a virtualized storage landscape based on IBM System Storage SAN Volume Controller. This created a single storage environment for all internal platforms. Today, the IBM Power Systems servers and the company's Windows environment rely on the same storage solution. Using IBM Easy Tier technology, the storage virtualization appliance automatically distributes data across ultrafast IBM FlashSystem 840 with MicroLatency technology and general-purpose IBM Storwize V7000 storage systems to maximize application performance on both server platforms without manual tuning.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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