Best Deployment : Opening Arms To Open Source

Frigo Glass was encountering frequent system crashes and security issues on

its Windows-based platform and therefore decided to opt for an open source

architecture. It appointed Gurgaon-based Sunic Technologies to facilitate the

system transition — a project that took over three months but met the client's

expectations

Greece-based small scale refrigeration company Frigo Glass had been using

Windows as its operating system (OS) since its inception. Two years ago, it was

taken over by Norcool India, a Norwegian enterprise, which later merged with

Frigo Glass.

With manufacturing plants across the globe, the company has a strong base in

Manesar with a manufacturing plant that handles all operations in the

refrigeration process. It is primarily focused on the refri­geration and cooling

services of soft drinks and chocolate companies in India.

Though the company has a strong IT infrastructure in India, at times it does

face some security threats and loss of data. In order to avoid the above

scenario, the company started to look for a more secure platform, and later

decided transitioning to an open source setup.

Another factor that prom­pted the company to make this decision was its need

to have an ERP-based solution for its Indian division. This is where Gurgaon-based

Sunic Techno­logies stepped in to facilitate the entire migration process and

provide additional back-up facilities.

With Windows as its platform, the company was primarily looking at ERP implementation. But while planning this project, they soon realized that not only was migration the major concern and client requirement, but it also called for complete infrastructural change

Client requirements



Once the client was briefed about how the entire solution would be deployed

and the costs involved in this project was finalized, Sunic Technologies

designated MS Rana to manage the switchover and facilitate the data integrity

process. Mainly focusing on ERP implementation and migrating from Windows to

UNIX in the HP's proprietary Unix operating architecture, the solution provider

(SP) realized quickly the entire consumer requirements and how to address them

within the timeframe of the project rollout.

As the migration system needed new processes to step into the client's

infrastructure, the client also needed compa­tible and a new set of hardware and

software infrastructure. Speaking on the necessities put forward by Frigo, Amlan

Bhowmick, CEO, Sunic Techno­logies said, “Frigo had a centralized unit at its

location. With Windows as its platform, the company was primarily looking at ERP

implementation. But while planning this project, we soon realized that not only

was migration the major concern and client requirement, but it also called for

complete infrastructural change.”

Soon, Rana along with seven other team members from Sunic stepped in with a

complete plan of the various solutions that were needed. Frigo decided to go

ahead with the makeover in the first phase and then consider infrastructural

change and assimilating new servers on the go.

The deployment



The entire project was valued at Rs 1.25 crore and it called for the

deployment of two HP RX6600 Unix servers with 2TB storage powered with EVA 4000.

Also, in setting up the network, Brocade 300 SAN switches with Clustering and

Verital Netbackup Solution was deployed at a short notice. Backup Autoloader and

Oracle 10g liscs for BAAN ERP application were the last minute addition.

Luckily for Sunic it did not encounter any major hassles or unexpected

surprises during the course of deployment. However, time was a challenging

factor as a complete system migration with a compatible set of ERP solution in

the UNIX platform usually consumes a lot of time.

The client had some stringent definitions about the uptime of the deployed

architecture to ensure there were no operational and financial repercussions.

This is why Sunic chose HP computing servers for installation in Frigo which

would offer higher computing and processing capacities backed by powerful

storage solution.

Also, in the process of creating the data back-up process in the virtual

domain, connectivity solutions were called for. The SP quickly installed

switches and routers across the storage area network. This was followed by

ensuring seamless net connec­tivity and local area network backup.

Commenting on the process of deployment, Bhowmick added, “Although the

project began in late 2007, it was in Feb 2008 that the actual implementation of

the project started. We did not have to face any operational hindrances except

some program compati­bility issues, which was resolved soon.  This is

precisely why we began with ERP solution implemen­tation and then moved on to

change the platform.”

Client speak



Satisfied with the imple­mentation of the ERP and the platform, Frigo

Glass's India division is now at par with the rest of the units across the

world. Since it is primarily focusing on the manufacturing process of the

enterprise and services refrigera­tors, the company finds it easier to use the

open source platform.

Officials in Frigo said that the primary need of the hour for them was to

have a stable ERP implemen­tation solution backed by open source management

along with HP servers for BAAN implementation. Also, Frigo wanted the security

issues removed from their servers and did not want the company to fall prey to

the e-viral threats. And they feel that the current network setup addresses this

need efficiently.

Avishek Rakshit



avishekr@cybermedia.co.in