Industry
Banking
The challenge:
To find a solution that could monitor everything from network components, servers and storage systems to a Cisco-based infrastructure for unified communication including a server farm primarily based on Windows and Unix virtualized using WMware. Also the management of applications, was an absolute key object for DVB.
The solution:
op5 Monitor and LogServer Extension.
The result:
DVB Bank now has central control over the entire chain in their IT environment. DVB not only checks that the applications work, they also monitor the entire business processes to verify that applications actually do what they are supposed to do, that data is delivered at the right time and in the right shape. For example, you can verify that payment system output to the Central Bank has been created and delivered on time. This gives DVB control over the entire chain.

DVB is a German bank focusing on the international transport market, with the three sub-markets of shipping, aviation and land transport. As a niche bank DVB can offer a wide range of personalized financial services. Their data center in Frankfurt supports services to a staff of approximately 600 persons in fifteen offices worldwide. In addition, they have a data center at another location.

op5 Monitor replace several different tools

In 2010 op5 Monitor was introduced as a general monitoring tool for DVB Bank’s IT environment. op5 was a single replacement for various different tools that were used in the Bank before. Today they monitor everything from network components, servers and storage systems and also a Cisco-based infrastructure for unified communication. The server farm based primarily on Windows and Unix is virtualized using WMware.

“op5 gives us the flexibility to monitor to a higher level in the OSI stack, which allows us to monitor our applications in an efficient manner”, said Stephan Gottschalk, Network Engineer at DVB Bank.

Monitoring business processes

DVB Bank not only checks that the applications work, they also monitor entire business processes to verify that applications actually do what they are supposed to do, that data is delivered at the right time and in the right shape. For example, you can verify that payment system output to the Central Bank has been created and delivered on time. This gives DVB control over the entire chain.

“In our procurement of monitoring, this was the biggest challenge, to find a solution that could meet all these requirements in a central system. op5 were the only ones to cope with all this”, Stephan Gottschalk continued.

According to DVB the op5 system is extremely flexible. If a plug-in is missing or if they have special requirements, they can easily produce plug-ins on their own.“Initially we hesitated at the investment in an open source solution, but were persuaded by the range of services that op5 can offer. We got a consistent solution with the possibility to develop our own modules whenever we wanted.”

According to DVB deploying op5 Monitor went very smoothly, a textbook example of plug and play. All that was required was to download the system in a virtual machine, and it was up and running in minutes with backup and recovery in place. Not even configuration was needed, which in our experience usually takes a long time with other IT monitoring products.“One thing I really want to emphasize is the first class service and support we receive from op5. We have experience of many different support departments, everything from the big players like Microsoft and Cisco to smaller niche providers. When you work with IT operations incidents always occur, it is inevitable, but when it happens op5 is absolutely outstanding. One hundred percent customer focus, rapid response, responsive, right attitude, helpful and extremely professional”, concluded Stephan Gottschalk.

About DVB Bank

DVB enjoys a unique position, thanks to its strategic focus on the international transport market, with the submarkets of shipping, aviation, and land transport. As a highly-specialized niche provider, the Bank offers a broad range of customized financial services. With offices in 13 locations, they have a worldwide presence in the transport markets and their various segments. This global presence enables them to take into account both the international dimension and the local specifics of the markets in which their clients in shipping, aviation and land transport finance operate.

Their asset and market research prepares in-depth analyses of transport assets and markets. Leveraging this business intelligence, they support their clients in the key product areas of structured asset financing, private equity sourcing and investments, asset management, advisory services, risk distribution, and loan participations.