29
Fri, Nov
0 New Articles

Maxava's Enterprise+ "Saves the Ship" for Averitt Express

High Availability / Disaster Recovery
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

An international shipping company has plenty of trouble if it can’t get its Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system to replicate accurately under its high availability (HA) system.

This was the scenario faced in October 2015 by Averitt Express, a provider of freight transportation and supply chain management services based in Cookeville, Tennessee. Averitt offers customized shipping solutions, serves customers in more than 100 countries, and services more than 300 international destinations. Averitt also provides its customers a full suite of web-based shipping tools, EDI services, and transportation and operations management systems. Among other online services Averitt offers its customers are such conveniences as a Bill of Lading creation utility, a transit-time calculator, less-than-truckload service maps based on ZIP code, and downloadable certificates, permits, customs forms, and other documents on demand.

The problem Averitt faced was that its existing HA system was failing to accurately replicate EDI information entered by its customers, leading to lockups of some production environments whenever it became necessary to change between its IBM i 8205 production system and its 8204 HA backup server. The workarounds it was forced to use were time-consuming and unacceptable, particularly considering that the company's system was handling up to 2,500 users on any given day.

Finding a Better Way

Michele Wilborn, director of information services at Averitt, was tasked with looking for a better solution when the company's old HA software's maintenance agreement came up for renewal.

"We were looking for HA software that could reliably replicate all the necessary objects on our system," Wilborn recalls. Wilborn contacted one of Maxava’s partners who provided an assessment of Averitt's situation by going over Averitt's performance data. Wilborn was recommended either an upgraded HA hardware system, which wasn't economically feasible for Averitt at the time, or a software upgrade to Maxava's Enterprise+, an HA/DR system tailored to IBM i servers.

Enterprise+ provides real-time data replication, unlimited concurrent apply processes that eliminate change backlogs and enable recovery in minutes instead of hours, remote control of role-swapping processes between servers via the maxView Manager function (that runs via browsers of mobile devices), and replication of all data and objects across IBM's QDLS document library services file system, MQ Series, and the Integrated File System (IFS). Other product features include enhanced auditing, autonomics, spooled-file replication, a command scripting function, and customer choice of licensing via cloud, Software-as-a-Service, software subscription, or traditional licensing.

A proof-of-concept (POC) test installation quickly demonstrated how Enterprise+ could meet Averitt's requirements.

"We were particularly impressed by the Simulated Role Swap (SRS) capability of Enterprise+," Wilborn notes. "The POC demonstration and role swap capabilities sealed the deal." Role swap is a feature of Enterprise+ that lets users test their DR/HA system without requiring any downtime. SRS lets users temporarily turn their backup system into a simulated primary system for testing while the actual primary system continues to operate live and unaffected.

Maxava High Availability (HA) Suite has proven itself to be extremely fast, easy to implement, and simple to run. In today’s digital environment, maintenance of critical data and continuous operation is not only a competitive advantage but also a business imperative. Risks in not employing a robust disaster recovery solution can have financial and reputation implications through loss of data, time and cost to restore, and lost production time. Maxava is dedicated to delivering high service levels to Power Systems customers, including those running IBM i (previously known as AS/400, iSeries, and/or System i) around the globe and across all major industries.

"Another great selling point is the simplicity of the GUI," Wilborn points out, although Enterprise+ runs equally well from a green-screen interface or via remote web-ready devices such as a PC or smartphone. "All the tech teams need to see is if there is a green or red dot at the bottom of the screen to know how the system is doing. It doesn't get any easier than that." Enterprise+ actually offers two different GUIs, an HTML version and a client-based version. Averitt mostly uses the client-based version.

A Swift Implementation

Once Averitt made the decision to go with Enterprise+, implementation began in February 2016. Maxava’s partner handled the training in the new system for Averitt users, training seven key Averitt personnel. This ensured that Averitt users were able to have access without leaving their offices.

"I didn't have a lot of HA background in the beginning, but Maxava made this complex technology very simple to understand and manage," reports David Glenn, an Averitt software support associate who received the training. "We now have no fear when it comes to working with the Maxava product."

Reaping the Benefits

Averitt is pleased with the efficiency of the new system and the relative ease with which they can accomplish data replication and other HA functions.

"Maxava's Enterprise+ exceeded our expectations," Wilborn reveals. "With the new system, it takes us half the man hours in comparison to our previous productif not even less. Every product should be like that. Although our company hasn’t done an official cost-analysis of the benefits, there has been a definite savings on the production system as CPU resource use has dropped for role swaps."

Wilborn's only regret is that Averitt's eagerness for a solution caused them some small difficulties at the beginning because they tried to implement the system too fast. "We weren’t aware of the amount of data to be replicated, and I opened the system up too fast so experienced some issues from that. Enterprise+ was doing its job the whole time, but I learned through training there was a much easier and more efficient way to accomplish what I needed than the way I was trying to do things at first."

"If you have problems with your HA/DR system, a free assessment of Maxava's Enterprise+ may well be worth your while," Wilborn concludes.

Maxava is a worldwide provider of innovative monitoring, high availability, and disaster recovery solutions and an IBM Premier Business Partner. Maxava's software and services are available from a global network of partners and are integral to the cloud offerings of leading Managed Service Providers and Cloud Service Providers.

Customers have been using Maxava software and services for more than 16 years to ensure business continuity, reduce risk, and meet regulatory requirements. Maxava’s implementations span a diverse set of industries, including banking, telecommunications, government, manufacturing and healthcare, providing critical business solutions to customers around the globe.

Many of the world’s most trusted consumer brands are supported by IT environments strengthened by the use of Maxava software. Maxava’s software ensures business resilience for a cross-section of the world’s most demanding Power Systems users. Today, Maxava serves more than 500 customers in over 40 countries, providing 24x7x365 support directly through regional offices located in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

John Ghrist

John Ghrist has been a journalist, programmer, and systems manager in the computer industry since 1982. He has covered the market for IBM i servers and their predecessor platforms for more than a quarter century and has attended more than 25 COMMON conferences. A former editor-in-chief with Defense Computing and a senior editor with SystemiNEWS, John has written and edited hundreds of articles and blogs for more than a dozen print and electronic publications. You can reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: