Broadcom > Case Studies > New Brocade Network Infrastructure Supports Einhell’s Worldwide Expansion

New Brocade Network Infrastructure Supports Einhell’s Worldwide Expansion

Customer Company Size

Large Corporate

Region

Europe
Asia

Country

Germany
China

Product

Brocade VDX 6720 Switches

Tech Stack

NetApp MetroCluster
Brocade Fibre Channel technology

Implementation Scale

Enterprise-wide Deployment

Impact Metrics

Productivity Improvements
Cost Savings

Technology Category

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Cloud Computing

Applicable Industries

Retail

Applicable Functions

Business Operation
Sales & Marketing

Use Cases

Supply Chain Visibility
Inventory Management

Services

System Integration
Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services

About The Customer

Einhell is a company based in Landau, Bavaria, and has been in business for 50 years. With more than 40 subsidiaries and 1,400 employees worldwide, the company has established itself as a leader in the wholesale market, supplying all major building centers and DIY retailers with products ranging from drills and saws to lawnmowers and other products in the tool and garden sector. Due to its growing customer base, Einhell has been focused on expanding the company internationally since 2002. In order to provide clients around the globe with optimum service, Einhell needed its new international facilities to operate at the same level as its corporate headquarters. This resulted in the need for a robust and agile IT infrastructure that could meet the company’s growing global demands.

The Challenge

Einhell, a leading wholesale supplier of tools and garden products, has been focused on expanding the company internationally since 2002. To provide clients around the globe with optimum service, Einhell needed its new international facilities to operate at the same level as its corporate headquarters. This resulted in the need for a robust and agile IT infrastructure that could meet the company’s growing global demands. As part of its expansion effort, Einhell laid the foundation for an IT system operated from a shared service center based in Landau. The company operates three data centers, two main data centers, and one backup facility. Until recently, their function was to supply services for Einhell in order to relieve pressure from the daily IT business and simultaneously promote homogeneous international IT standards. Today, nearly all of these services are virtualized and therefore require a high-performance infrastructure.

The Solution

Einhell collaborated with INNEO Solutions, a Brocade Partner, to develop a strategy for reorganizing Einhell’s storage system and network infrastructure. Ultimately, Einhell decided to implement a NetApp MetroCluster solution based on Brocade VDX switches. In addition, Einhell selected Brocade to provide the new network infrastructure. Einhell chose to work with Brocade for three reasons: Experience, Technology, and Value. Five Brocade VDX 6720 Switches were implemented to ensure reliable connectivity to the storage and backup system and to the connected servers. The implementation and transition process went smoothly. During the implementation process, users did not notice the switchover since all services were fully available at any time.

Operational Impact

Increased flexibility: Projects can be rolled out throughout the affiliated group, without requiring more staff. Companies can also focus on adapting to the needs of the local market.
Increased speed: Faster access to services from the service center leads to higher levels of standardization and stability across the international network.
Next-generation services: Employees can focus on the integration of additional facilities. The introduction of new applications is simplified and driven by reliable IT.