As Taiwan's largest freight-forwarder and logistics company, T.JOIN must ensure that its customers can access real-time information about its deliveries at any time of the night or day. But with 60 decentralized computers that could not share data, and required planned downtime for routine maintenance and backups, customers often could not get accurate information on delivery statusùthat's when they turned to Vision Solutions' MIMIX high availability technology.
"When we were using the distributed IT infrastructure, information could not be updated simultaneously as it was scattered on multiple systems," said Yang Zhi-Wen, CIO for T.JOIN. "In addition, the 60 systems required intensive manpower and resources for daily data input and updates. When one system was down, the entire data input process was affected."
"We're extremely pleased to work with T.JOIN," says Vision Solutions' vice president of sales for Asia Pacific, Allan Campbell. "Their IT team is using MIMIX in innovative ways to ensure data resiliency and business continuity throughout their organization." Working with IBM Taiwan, T.JOIN consolidated its IT operations using two powerful System i servers that provide 24/7 services, real-time delivery status, and help the company achieve a zero tolerance on lost goods during the delivery process.
Keeping the critical data on those servers continuously protected and available was key to the project's success. They selected MIMIX HA for i5/OS from Vision Solutions to provide high availability for their new IBM System i servers. Automated and easy to use, the MIMIX solution enabled the company to eliminate downtime, reduce the IT workload, and ensure that critical data is always accessible to both customers and employees.
"With MIMIX, we can better utilize our resources and provide real-time data exchange," said Yang. "The new system assures that daily backups can be completed effortlessly, as MIMIX replicates data in real time transparently and seamlessly without disrupting our workflow. As a result, our customer support staff can better serve customers with the most up-to-date information at their fingertips, including delivery status."
T.JOIN established a remotely located disaster recovery center at LinKou to provide relief from Taiwan's frequent disruptions caused by such things as earthquakes and typhoons. Thanks to MIMIX, the backup server at the disaster recovery center can quickly restore vital business information in the event of a disaster, tremendously reducing costly downtime. Because MIMIX protects all business data and transactions in real time with zero data loss, T.JOIN's business continuity is ensured even if the worst should happen.
"Previously, our computer systems were easily affected by typhoons and floods. In fact our staff had risked their lives to protect systems from being damaged. The lengthy downtime not only damaged our reputation but also significantly affected our business operations," said Yang. "With MIMIX, we can now avoid such situations because our data is automatically backed up and protected at all times."
Because MIMIX includes innovative technology that makes high availability easy to use, T. JOIN did not have to increase its staff to manage the solution. It also helped T.JOIN implement value-added services such as improved warehousing management, better inventory control and "one-day delivery services" for consignments both within and outside Taiwan.
Most importantly, the continuity and reliability of the system MIMIX provides enables all T.JOIN customers to receive their goods on time. That's essential to the growth of T.JOIN as it seeks new customers by expanding into China and other parts of Asia.
"Vision Solutions not only protects our critical systems and business data, it also helps protect our reputation for fast, efficient and reliable delivery for our customers," said Yang.
For more information about T.JOIN or how MIMIX high availability and data protection and recovery solutions help organizations, please visit Vision Solutions or contact your Vision Solutions representative.
About T.JOIN
T.JOIN Transportation Company Ltd. is part of the transportation, logistics, and supply chain management industry and is headquartered in Taichung, Taiwan. With more than 5,000 employees it has revenues of $5.6 billion (TWD) annually. T.JOIN develops innovative logistics systems that monitor and manage freight routes, warehousing, inventory classification and storage for frozen food and other goods. The company operates a fleet of over 3,000 vehicles and delivers more than 2 million tons of cargo every year across mainland Taiwan, Jin Men, and the world. T.JOIN manages one of the most comprehensive freight networks in Taiwan with more than 206 service points to facilitate customer deliveries and storage. T.JOIN clients include Carrefour, Dong Sen Shopping, NuSkin, SONY Taiwan, Panasonic Taiwan, and MOTO.
About Vision Solutions
Vision Solutions, Inc. is the worldÆs leading provider of high availability, disaster recovery and data management solutions for the IBM System i and System p markets. With a portfolio that spans the industryÆs most innovative and trusted HA solutions from ORION, MIMIX and iTera brands, Vision keeps critical businesses information continuously protected and available. Affordable and easy to use, Vision products help to ensure business continuity, increase productivity, reduce operating costs and satisfy compliance requirements. Vision also offers advanced cluster management and systems management solutions, and support for i5/OS, Windows, and AIX operating environments. As IBMÆs largest high availability Premier Business Partner, Vision Solutions oversees a global network of business partners and services and support professionals to help our customers achieve their business goals. Privately held by Thoma Cressey Bravo, Inc., Vision Solutions is headquartered in Irvine, California with offices worldwide. For more information visit Vision Solutions or call 800.957.4511.
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