Singapore’s DyStar opts for cloud-managed infra

• IT dept can now focus on providing business value rather than just ‘keeping the lights on’
• Cloud move is first phase in broader strategy to unify infrastructure and embrace mobility

SINGAPORE-headquartered DyStar, which provides products and services for the global textile industry, is implementing SAP’s ERP (enterprise resource planning), SCM (supply chain management) and enterprise data warehouse solutions on a managed cloud infrastructure provided by T-Systems.
 
With the transition from a hybrid inhouse and vendor-managed server environment to a cloud-based subscription model, Dystar intends to optimise its existing multi-platform systems on a standardised platform, and deliver a differentiated experience for its users across the globe, SAP and T-Systems said in a statement.
 
DyStar has more than 2,000 employees with a presence in more than 50 countries. It operates eight different instances of SAP applications in multiple versions across its global footprint.
 
In moving these applications to a managed cloud infrastructure hosted by T-Systems, the company is setting the stage to consolidate them into a single platform. This would also help the IT department to focus on providing business value, rather than keeping all systems up and running, SAP and T-Systems said.
 
The use of a cloud-based infrastructure is expected to significantly improve its operational efficiency – there are fewer IT vendors and contracts to manage, and applications can be deployed more quickly across different geographies, they added.
 
DyStar is currently deploying SAP ERP, SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse, and SAP SCM on the cloud, and gradually migrating from Oracle database to SAP Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise.
 
“We previously had many people managing our servers and keeping our infrastructure working. It’s an important job, but the value is low. We are not a technology company,” said DyStar global IT director Vincent Goh.
 
“By turning to professionals to run our infrastructure, we don’t just save costs – we can instead focus on how to use IT to better support our business,” he added.
 
One of the benefits of the managed private cloud is the ability to adopt a subscription-based consumption model. DyStar will only pay for what it uses and benefit from the choice of consuming SAP’s proven on-premise solutions with cloud deployment on a subscrip­tion basis.
 
The subscription-based consumption model also enables the company to implement service-level agreements with T-Systems to guarantee high levels of service – something DyStar previously had to manage internally.
 
T-Systems provides the hosting and management of the SAP solutions on a private cloud infrastructure, without the need for Dystar to license solutions separately from SAP.
 
“Instead of investing in IT infrastructure, many of our customers are shifting to operational IT purchases to minimise balance sheet impact and conserve cash for investing in business innovation projects,” said Anthony McMahon, senior vice president of Ecosystem and Channels at SAP Asia Pacific Japan.
 
“With the SAP-based managed cloud offering, DyStar enjoys a faster time to value and lower total cost of ownership,” he added.
 
Transforming IT
 
For DyStar, this move to the cloud is the first phase in a broader strategy to unify its infrastructure and embrace mobility.
 
After migrating to the cloud, DyStar will consolidate its databases and instances of SAP applications, paving the way for mobile services and self-service business intelligence through other SAP platform solutions.
 
“Many IT leaders want to move beyond day-to-day operations and support to leverage technology to drive the business forward,” said Natasha Kwan (pic), managing director for T-Systems for Asia South.
 
“As a result, we are seeing organisations across industries turn to managed clouds to optimise costs, reduce complexity and increase reliability and scalability.
 
“T-Systems’ Dynamic Services offers them the ability to do this and respond to dynamic nature of the market through a simple, cloud-based, on-demand and cost-effective IT infrastructure. As DyStar moves its infrastructure strategy into a managed cloud model, we believe it stands to realise significant benefits which will serve as a model for more customers around the region to follow,” Kwan added.
 
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