Texaco saves up to 30% on IT infrastructure maintenance costs thanks to consolidation via Microsoft platform

When Delek took over Texaco’s fuel marketing activities from Chevron, the IT and network infrastructure needed to be adapted. Because Delek did not have enough in-house IT technicians to carry out the migration itself, it sought the assistance of IT specialist, Ferranti Computer Systems. 

Ferranti converted the existing servers, applications and work stations for use within an entirely new infrastructure. The project involved the installation of, among others, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with Active Directory, Office Exchange 2007, SQL Server 2005, Windows Terminal Server and Office SharePoint Server. In order to configure the various servers and PCs remotely, Ferranti used Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. Ferranti also took over responsibility for the entire network management.

Since the migration, the quality and stability of the infrastructure has been greatly enhanced. Employees are now able to login wirelessly and work from home. The number of incidents has decreased by up to 40 %, maintenance costs were reduced by 30 % and network problems have been eradicated. The level of security of the IT environment has also been greatly increased, the infrastructure is easier to operate and the total costs for the IT department are a fifth lower than before the migration.  

Migrating complete IT infrastructure in one day

Delek has offices in Brussels and Rotterdam together employing around 250 people. A further 1000 people are employed at the 800 odd fuel stations throughout the Benelux. “That implies rather extensive IT and network infrastructure,” says Walter Teugels, IT manager at Delek. "We sketched the broad lines of the project just before summer last year and moved over to the new infrastructure shortly afterwards.”

Delek did not have enough in-house IT technicians to carry out the migration itself. It therefore went in search of a reliable and flexible partner to oversee the transition and offer on-going support. The choice went in favour of IT specialist, Ferranti Computer Systems. Walter Teugels explains why: "Ferranti has both extensive knowledge and solid experience with similar projects. Moreover, they had already worked with Chevron before and were therefore very familiar with the environment. Their low cost and flexibility, however, were what drew us over the line. There was a Ferranti consultant available on site for the first nine months after the migration, which has several great advantages. This project manager was not only here to construct the new infrastructure but also to manage it afterwards. We also chose Ferranti for the expansion of our IP telephone and local area networks. Naturally, we first contacted other suppliers but Ferranti proved time and again to offer better quality and more flexibility at a lower cost.” 

Ferranti converted Chevron’s servers, applications and work stations in line with Delek’s existing infrastructure. To that end, it installed Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with Active Directory, Office Exchange 2007, SQL Server 2005, Windows Terminal Server and Office SharePoint Server, among others. In order to configure the various servers and PCs remotely, Ferranti used Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. Ferranti set up a high-end blade system to serve as the basis of the new infrastructure, virtualized via VMware and connected to a large SAN which centralizes all the individual servers. Ferranti also took charge of the entire network management. The biggest challenge was to relocate all applications, data, users and program settings to the new domain in just one day. Ferranti's experienced team of professionals succeeded in meeting that target and even received an award from Chevron for the successful disconnection of the network within the scheduled deadline.

Up to 40 % fewer incidents

Since the migration, the quality and stability of the infrastructure has been visibly improved for the end-users. Employees can now log onto the network wirelessly or even work from home via SharePoint and a VPN line. The number of incidents has been reduced by as much as 40% and where problems do arise, they are resolved a lot faster than before. Maintenance costs have also been reduced by 30% while network problems have thankfully been assigned their place in history. In the past, Delek would only respond in the event of a hardware failure on the network. Now, Ferranti intervenes in advance to prevent the problem from ever arising. The security of the IT environment has also been considerably increased. Ferranti developed the entire network security and anti-virus system from scratch together with Delek. As a result, the infrastructure is easier to manage and the total cost for the IT department is a fifth lower today than before the migration.

This operation is the first phase of a larger project. Delek aims to outsource the entire IT infrastructure and server administration once it has relocated to Breda next year. “The measures we have put in place have had the desired effect,” says Walter Teugels. "The fact that I am now in a position where I can outsource a large part of the ICT is proof that it works. Thanks to the new infrastructure, I am now able to outsource a solution rather than a problem. We currently face the challenge of rapidly expanding our network of fuel stations. Which is why solid IT infrastructure is an absolute must: ICT has to be able to keep up with the rapid pace of takeovers and align everything very quickly. And we need partners like Ferranti who can put everything in place very quickly.”

"Strategically speaking Delek is very progressive when it comes to IT,” says Vanessa Folders, Account Manager at Ferranti. "They now have the necessary foundations to deal competently with future expansions and concentrate on their own business while we manage their IT infrastructure.”

Successful project

Today, Delek can install hardware and software a lot more efficiently whenever it adopts new fuel stations in its portfolio. Two practical examples illustrate this fact. Thanks to its current network, the company will soon be able to equip all its fuel stations with IP telephony in the blink of an eye, thus reducing costs even further. In addition, the computers in the respective fuel stations will no longer be independent and difficult-to-maintain PCs. They will be connected to the Delek domain so that software updates and applications can be installed centrally and remotely via Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. The number of interventions on the ground will therefore be drastically reduced, which adds up to even further cost savings.

Delek will soon exploit the possibilities of SharePoint even further. Ferranti will namely be converting the entire intranet to the SharePoint infrastructure with a view to creating more dynamism. Employees will also be able to reserve meeting rooms and request holidays via the intranet. The functionality of Texaco-Station, the extranet for Texaco station operators, will also be further expanded.

"This has most definitely been a successful migration project,” declares Walter Teugels. "The new environment had to be operational on 1 August 2007 and that deadline has been met. We have often confronted Ferranti with very tight deadlines and every time they have succeeded in carrying out their assignments on time. They think with us, understand where we want to go and on the basis of this, implement the right solution quickly and efficiently. Choosing a good partner is extremely important. If you have to undergo the changes we have made with different companies, the task is that much more complicated. Ferranti is at home in every market, knows the environment and knows what is and what is not possible. We should have done this project ages ago.”