Axiell

Public Libraries Expand Services and Control Costs
with OpenGalaxy Plus

Background

Axiell, part of the Swedish-based Axiell Group, is the UK market leader in the design, development, implementation, and support of systems for libraries, archives, museums, and other community resources. Local authorities, such as the London Libraries Consortium, rely on Axiell’s expertise, resources, and capacity to meet changing business needs and patron expectations.

Challenge

Currently, Axiell solutions are used by 15 London boroughs—as well as other Local Authorities across the United Kingdom and Ireland—to manage their library systems. In a concentrated effort to grow its London library business, Axiell focused on expanding into all 33 boroughs (a growth rate of almost 200 percent). Since different boroughs are grouped together on the same system, Axiell faced a scale that it had not previously supported. To seamlessly handle this expansion, Axiell required a system that could reliably support increased workloads while minimizing slowdowns and failures. Because the previously used 64-bit Solaris system limited scalability, Axiell sought a solution that could scale with ease and provide room to grow.

Cost is another variable that Axiell had to consider. In addition to the London Libraries Consortium, many of Axiell customers are run by local government agencies. In these tough financial times, local authorities need to control costs more than ever—and Axiell was sensitive to their needs. Thus, in an effort to increase service without increasing costs, Axiell required a less expensive but technically superior platform.

Solution

To stay both financially and technologically competitive, Axiell chose to migrate to 64-bit Linux and upgrade to Actian’s Ingres Database 10 and OpenROAD 5.1 application server.

Reduced costs, increased capabilities

Axiell turned to Actian to support its shift from costly Solaris technology to a 64-bit Linux platform with Intel hardware. The Linux technology with Intel hardware is almost one-third less expensive than Oracle’s Solaris. As Darren Muizelaar, Systems Architect, Axiell Systems Engineering department explains, “This move would not have been possible if Actian’s technology didn’t perform impeccably on 64-bit Linux. Axiell’s performance testing of Ingres Database 10 and OpenROAD 5.1 on the new Linux platform shows outstanding results.”

Cost control was also a powerful driver in Axiell’s decision to upgrade to Ingres Database 10. This upgrade allows easier database maintenance, which leads to lower costs. Additionally, the Ingres upgrade has helped Axiell extend its OpenGalaxy system to the Cloud, which will enable both Axiell and its customers to reduce hardware costs while increasing secure access to applications, data, and services.

Personal data protection

The ability to encrypt sensitive data in Ingres 10 was another powerful motivator in the decision to upgrade. Library patrons provide detailed personal information in order to use the system. “We need to offer the encryption capability to make sure data on the disk is secure. It’s absolutely critical for local authorities to protect personal data.” Muizelaar says. Actian’s Ingres 10 DBMS provides that ability.

Highly involved customer support

Actian’s engaged customer support is another reason Axiell chose to upgrade. “Obviously, Actian has been with us every step of the way. We’ve been having meetings with Actian support staff every month to get to where we are. We just can’t ask for more,” says Muizelaar.

Normally changing an operating system, moving to 64-bit, upgrading a database, and at the same time upgrading the application server would be an all-consuming task. However, with Actian’s unrivaled support, Axiell has also been able to make significant progress upgrading their web client to Silverlight with amazing results. Now in a BETA Release stage on two customer sites, “It looks superb. Everybody we’ve shown it to, customers, prospects, absolutely love it,” Muizelaar says.

“The customer support from Actian has always been outstanding. The last time I really needed support it was during the night. The support staff stayed up all night with us until we fixed the problem. I don’t know any other company that does that,” says Muizelaar.

Attractive development path

Ingres Database has been the database of choice for Axiell since 1994. Says Muizelaar, “In the UK, Ingres Database is what we prefer to use. It’s something everyone is familiar with – inside and outside the company – so we don’t lose time having to learn new software. We all know it inside and out.” Muizelaar says that Axiell has considered other databases over the years. But they are so impressed with the development path that Actian has taken that they are happy to stick with what they know best.

Results

The results of Axiell’s decisions to switch technologies and continue to rely on Actian speak for themselves. Axiell is reaping huge cost savings including significant hardware cost reductions with Intel hardware, reduced database maintenance with Ingres Database 10, powerful data Encryption within the database, and the ability to expand into the Cloud – which will enable both Axiell and its customers to increase revenue while reducing costs.

Actian is also helping Axiell to scale to meet the challenge of the London Libraries Consortium system. Actian technology runs well on 64-bit Linux, providing Axiell with vastly increased scalability and improved performance.

Finally, Actian’s increased security and continued excellent support enable Axiell to increase sales, expand services, and improve client confidence.