One of New Zealand’s largest primary producers needs not only the best teams in the field, but also the best tools and supporting infrastructure to get the job done right.
When they implemented a new management software package into the public cloud and the new system failed, they needed help, and BTG was asked to come to the rescue with their expert advice.
Analysis
This organisation tested a new piece of software chosen to enhance the flow of its operations before a complete launch. It soon became clear the suite of new applications was unworkable and need to be sorted quickly.
BTG had provided the company with a variety of network and communications systems during an eight-year relationship but wasn’t involved in the rollout of the new software.
The new product’s failure to during testing was a headscratcher because there were no other hiccups integrating it with its operation. The software simply didn’t provide the functionality listed on the box. So an SOS went out to BTG for ideas.
BTG enterprise business development manager Dan Regan picks up the story.
Delivery
“It wasn’t clear exactly what the problem was, but testing showed the performance wasn’t what was expected.”
The new application was hosted with large public cloud provider with remote servers in located in Australia.
“We suggested we spin up a couple of machines in BTG’s cloud environment, which is based in New Zealand, and migrate the application across to test the application locally.”
Within 24 hours, the BTG team had built the required cloud infrastructure and integrated it into the client’s environment for testing.
Literally overnight, the functionality problems they were experiencing went away.
Dan explains the issue was created by latency. Latency is the delay before the transfer of data begins following an instruction. Despite the relatively short distance to the Australian-based services in the public cloud, it created enough of a delay that meant the new system would never function as it should. BTG’s New Zealand-based cloud solution improved the speed instantly.
“Another benefit of this solution is we can quickly apply additional resources to further enhance performance, for example adding more CPU or RAM capacity to the environment.”
BTG’s solution is also rapidly scalable. Once the latency problem was identified, the company committed to rolling the application out to multiple sites requiring about 40 servers ALL hosted on BTG’s NZ based cloud solution.
The key lesson to be learnt is that large public cloud infrastructure can work but is not always the best business solution. A hybrid solution can be the best fit. Combining a public and a private cloud solution.
Having a local, scalable, secure cloud solution can be faster and more economical.
“We’re trusted advisors to this producer and work closely alongside its IT team with support, maintenance fixes and network services. Being an integral part of its infrastructure means we are able to be nimble and assist with rapid solutions.”
About BTG
BTG is a New Zealand-based technology service provider creating better connections for growing businesses here and across the ditch. With 80+ staff and 400+ customers across New Zealand and Australia, BTG specialise in expert engineering services, quality IT products, including customised NZ-based cloud storage, and dedicated account management.