IBM Power7 to Power10 migration case study

Covenco’s Technical Experience Ensures a Successful IBM i Migration for FUJIFILM Speciality Ink Systems.

If you’re managing IT infrastructure in a manufacturing environment, chances are you appreciate the rock-solid reliability of IBM i running on IBM Power Systems. These platforms have likely been the backbone of your critical operations for years. But as technology marches forward, even the most dependable systems, like the venerable Power7, eventually reach a crossroads.

You know modernisation is necessary – for continued support, enhanced security, better performance, and improved efficiency. Yet, the thought of an upgrade can be daunting. Concerns about operating system compatibility, application modernisation challenges, potential disruption to manufacturing processes, and the sheer complexity of migration can lead to understandable hesitation. “If it isn’t broken, why fix it?” becomes a tempting mantra, even as the risks of aging hardware grow.

What if you could see a clear path forward? What if a company, much like yours, navigated this exact challenge and emerged with significant improvements?

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FUJIFILM Speciality Ink Systems: Facing the Modernisation Imperative

FUJIFILM Speciality Ink Systems, a long-standing user of IBM Power servers for their crucial custom manufacturing applications on IBM i, found themselves in this precise situation in 2023. Their reliable IBM Power7 system was approaching its end-of-support lifespan. While still functional, the IT team recognised the need to modernise to ensure ongoing reliability, improve efficiency, and leverage the advancements available in the latest IBM Power generation.

They wanted the performance, efficiency, and reliability benefits of IBM Power10, but needed a partner to guide them through the process. This is where Covenco, an IBM Gold Business Partner with deep expertise in Power Systems, stepped in.

Planning for Success: De-Risking the Migration

Covenco began with a comprehensive assessment, understanding FUJIFILM’s specific manufacturing operational needs and technical requirements. The key wasn’t just recommending new hardware; it was about finding the right solution and planning a migration that minimised risk.

While cloud options like IBM PowerVS were considered, the optimal path for FUJIFILM, driven by their need for predictable financial control and hardware flexibility, was an on-premises IBM Power10 server. This solution, leveraging internal NVMe storage and Guest partitioning, promised not only a performance leap but also a simplified, more manageable architecture.

The Results: Modernisation That Delivered More Than Expected

The meticulously planned migration, executed collaboratively by Covenco and the FUJIFILM IT team, yielded impressive results that directly address common pain points associated with older systems:

1. Massive Performance Boost:
   Processing power skyrocketed from ~7,000 CPW to 25,000 CPW per core. This ensures FUJIFILM can handle current manufacturing workloads effortlessly and is ready for future demands like AI and advanced analytics.
2. Dramatic Footprint & Energy Reduction:
   The physical infrastructure shrank from 20U of rack space down to just 4U. Power consumption nearly halved, dropping from 1,900 Watts to 1,000 Watts. This translates directly to lower data centre operational costs.
3. Streamlined Architecture:
   The move to internal NVMe storage and Guest partitioning eliminated the need for an external SAN and VIO servers, simplifying management and reducing potential points of failure.
4. Enhanced Resilience:
   A new Disaster Recovery (DR) solution using IBM’s Capacity Backup (CBU) options provides a ‘live’ standby system, significantly improving Recovery Point Objectives (RPO) and Recovery Time Objectives (RTO under an hour), crucial for minimising disruption in manufacturing.
5. Improved Security & Support:
   Upgrading to the latest version of IBM i bolstered security and ensured ongoing IBM support, managed seamlessly via Covenco’s managed services team.
6. Zero Downtime Migration:
   Addressing a major concern for any manufacturing operation, the migration was achieved with minimal disruption and zero downtime, thanks to careful planning and fully orchestrated rollback options.

Addressing Your Upgrade Hesitations Head-On

We understand the apprehension surrounding OS and application compatibility during a major platform shift. You worry about unforeseen issues derailing the project or causing extended downtime. This is precisely why Covenco’s approach emphasises upfront assessment and planning.

Before committing to the hardware or migration work, Covenco helps you identify potential OS or application compatibility hurdles. We work with you to understand your specific environment and applications, map out the upgrade path, and address potential challenges early in the process. We can help prove the case for modernisation and demonstrate the feasibility and benefits before the project is commissioned, significantly reducing the perceived risk.

IBM Server Migration Expertise, Efficiency, and Quality Assurance

Working with Covenco brings more than just technical skill; it brings efficiency and cost-effectiveness:

• Rapid Assessment:
  Our specialists quickly understand your needs and identify the most cost-efficient path.
• Vendor Neutrality & Buying Power:
  We recommend the best solution for you and leverage our partnerships (like with IBM) for competitive pricing and real-world TCO calculations.
• Streamlined Process:
  We act as a single point of contact, managing the project from assessment to support, reducing complexity and risk for your team.
• Guaranteed Outcomes:
  We reduce overall project cost while providing a single point of accountability for success.

Migrating Legacy IBM Power Systems: The Covenco Advantage

FUJIFILM Speciality Ink Systems’ successful migration from Power7 to Power10 demonstrates that modernising your IBM i environment is not only achievable but incredibly beneficial. The performance gains, efficiency improvements, and enhanced resilience significantly outweigh the perceived risks, especially when guided by an experienced IBM Gold Business Partner.

If your manufacturing business is running IBM i on aging Power hardware, don’t let hesitancy to upgrade hold you back.

Ready to explore the detailed benefits and technical specifics of this seamless migration?

Download the full case study

Let Covenco help you map out your own confident path to IBM Power modernisation.