Supply Chain / Logistics | Database Managed Services

OCI migration gives supply chain / logistics provider ultimate control over patching and upgrades

This supply chain / logistics customer migrated their on-premise database workload to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). Pythian supported their upgrade from Oracle database into ExaCS infrastructure.

Customer
Overview
The challenge
The solution
Technologies used
Key outcomes

Customer

For this supply chain / logistics customer, the combination of Oracle Exadata Cloud Service (ExaCS) with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure was perfect for ensuring disaster recovery and running mission-critical databases. When they needed to migrate and upgrade, they found the vendor-provided support didnʼt have the breadth of knowledge required for such a complicated move. After working with Pythian on the initial upgrade and cloud migration, the customer enrolled in managed services to ensure continued high-performing support.

The supply chain / logistics provider needed specialized expertise to streamline their Oracle Cloud migration

Oracle Exadata Cloud Service is used by customers who want to run mission critical databases in the public cloud and utilize the offsite nature of the cloud for disaster recovery purposes. When migrating to vendor clouds, customers often realize the cloud vendor only provides limited support and that Pythianʼs services and expertise are still required. While Oracle manages many aspects of the underlying cloud infrastructure (OCI) and associated software services, a managed service provider (MSP) such as Pythian was needed to administer many parts of the database and application software, including customized components that resided on that infrastructure.

Oracle Exadata Cloud support needed

Oracle Exadata Cloud Service users still require support for mission-critical databases and disaster recovery in the public cloud.

Lack of cloud vendor support

Cloud vendors often provide limited support, necessitating external expertise.

Lack of in-house expertise

Pythian’s services and expertise were crucial for this customer when migrating to vendor clouds.

Administration of database and app software

A managed service provider like Pythian is needed to administer database and application software, including customized components, even with Oracle managing underlying cloud infrastructure.

Pythian supported the upgrading of Oracle Databases and migrated to OCI Exadata Cloud Service

Pythian upgraded from on-premises Oracle Database 11g to 12cR2 and then migrated to the OCI Exadata Cloud Service (ExaCS). We later upgraded the ExaCS X7 to X8, and subsequently to X9M.

Now Pythian continues to provide support for validation of cloud service—including features like automated patching vs. manual patching, and working with Oracle technical support to troubleshoot complex software and infrastructure issues.

Today, Pythian continues to assist with region and technology management and provides all levels of database administration and related support, including:

Dealing with application compatibility (or lack of RAC-compatibility) issues, integration points and tooling (such as Oracle GoldenGate and Oracle Data Integrator).
Cloud region replication.
Database management (for example, PDB cloning).
SQL and database performance tuning and optimizations.

Upgraded and migrated databases

Pythian upgraded Oracle Database from 11g to 12cR2, then migrated to OCI Exadata Cloud Service (ExaCS), and subsequently upgraded ExaCS X7 to X8, and X9M.

Ongoing cloud service validation and support

Pythian continues to validate cloud service features like automated patching and collaborates with Oracle technical support for complex issues.

Region and technology management

Pythian assists with managing cloud regions and technologies.

Comprehensive database administration

Pythian provides all levels of database administration, including application compatibility, cloud region replication, database management (e.g., PDB cloning), and performance tuning.

Greater control over data operations with Pythian’s expert managed services

Pythian achieved an established, stabilized workload by supporting and managing the customerʼs migration.
Pythian minimized downtime by troubleshooting complex software and infrastructure issues.
Our experienced team continues to optimize performance through ongoing region and technology management and by providing all levels of database administration and related support.
The customer is now able to control their own schedule for patching and upgrades.
Pythian supported the supply chain / logistics customer in extending the monitoring depth for warehouse management system (WMS) issues to alert earlier for impacting conditions, and validated for infrastructure outage readiness–maximizing system availability.
The customer reduced risk by implementing Pythianʼs suggested patches and upgrades to their relational database management system, keeping them informed on potential software vulnerabilities.

Downtime minimized

Pythian minimized downtime and maximized system availability by supporting and managing the customer's migration and extending monitoring depth.

Reduced risk through patch and upgrade implementation

Pythian reduced risk by implementing suggested patches and upgrades, keeping the customer informed on potential software vulnerabilities.

Enhanced control

The customer now has control over their patching and upgrade schedule.

Optimized performance through database administration support

Pythian optimized performance through ongoing region and technology management and comprehensive database administration support.

What We Do

OCI migration gives supply chain / logistics provider ultimate control over patching and upgrades

Benefit from reduced downtime

Markets enjoy more streamlined delivery

Locations benefit from enhanced reliability

Customer

Industry

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Platform

Overview

The challenge