Case Studies
Ntirety Delivers 24/7 Uptime To Converge's Global Exchange
Converge is a leading independent distributor for semiconductors, electronic components, computer products and networking equipment serving leading original equipment and contract manufacturers, as well as distributors and resellers. Leveraging more than 20 years experience, the company's exchange is a flexible, scalable, and global operations and fulfillment network that centralizes information, product, pricing and technology for services such as production procurement and asset recovery, computer product remarketing, financial settlement, global logistics and quality assurance. Around the globe, Converge traders rely on 24/7 access to this exchange.
"We take pride in our global footprint and quality of services and can't afford to have these applications go down – it would be detrimental to our business."
Farooq Ahmad Director - Global IT
Around the globe, Converge traders rely on 24/7 access to this exchange and its critical business information. The exchange is comprised of Oracle ERP, custom-developed trade application, B2B Hub, data warehouse etc, all of which share information. However, because monitoring and administering databases is so time consuming and expensive, it is difficult to provide the necessary coverage and support for critical databases. Like many companies, Converge experienced budgetary and personnel constraints in their IT department. To ensure applications driving the exchange remain active, Converge evaluated a variety of companies that could provide 24/7 database administration support and monitoring services.
Converge evaluated a number of database administration service providers
Converge evaluated a number of database administration service providers to ensure it chose a company with extensive database and Oracle experience that could remotely monitor databases, provide proactive and reactive service and support, and customize alerts for many different scenarios. Based on this criterion, Converge chose Ntirety Technologies. Ntirety's remote database administration experts remotely monitor and tune database environments, rapidly respond to down databases, ensure backup and recovery capabilities, prevent database outages and work directly with clients' staff and vendors to resolve database issues.
Previously, all our database administration was done in-house
"Previously, all our database administration was done in-house and we had a lot of trust in our co-workers," said Ahmad. "So when we reduced our staff, we needed to enlist a reliable and responsive service provider. Not only did Ntirety have the most experienced DBAs, but they were customer centric, sensitive to our 24/7 needs and could deliver the service levels we demanded."
Within a few days
Within a few days, Ntirety's team of four DBAs worked with Converge's three administrators to evaluate the existing application environment, define the databases to be monitored and to set alert levels and thresholds to optimize performance. As part of its comprehensive service, Ntirety remotely monitors and supports Converge's database applications around-the-clock. If an issue is encountered, Ntirety's DBAs will proactively perform the initial research and address the issue based on predetermined resolution plans and if necessary, will escalate the problem to Converge. Additionally, Ntirety regularly provides feedback on the system and offers suggestions for improving database performance.
We are confident and comfortable with Ntirety's services
"We are confident and comfortable with Ntirety's services," said Ahmad. "We rely on their alerts and the competency of their people. And by providing production support for our databases, Ntirety enables our in-house staff to focus on new development activities, system enhancements and further understanding and increasing the value our business data."
Consequently, Converge chose a service provider with the expertise, customer service excellence and secure solutions needed to remotely monitor its critical databases. Since it began using Ntirety's services in December 2002, Converge has eliminated application downtime and is now receiving greater proactive coverage for a fraction of what it used to cost to manage its databases in house. Most importantly, Converge now has the peace of mind that its databases and its exchange network are achieving 24/7 uptime and optimum performance.