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