Exact Extends Market Reach with 64-Bit Computing
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Exact Extends Market Reach
with 64-Bit Computing
SOLUTION SUMMARY Intel/Microsoft/HP customer reference programme case study Released: 05.03
Challenge
Exact was hitting development obstacles
with e-Synergy, its integrated Web-based
enterprise-wide administration system.
The limitations of 32-bit technology meant
the product could only address a maximum
of 8 GB memory directly. Exact wanted to
expand the functionality of e-Synergy and
increase the number of potential users to
embrace the market for larger corporations
and mission critical, data-intensive applications.
Business Challenge Enterprise-wide administration is easy
Solution Exact is a leading manufacturer of thanks to the innovative architecture
e-Synergy is now being demonstrated on an accounting, human resource management developed by Exact, which uses just one
HP Intel® Itanium® 2-based server running (HRM), customer relationship management database and transaction table. With
Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 and (CRM,) e-Business and enterprise resource e-Synergy, organisations can securely
Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000 (64-bit). planning (ERP) software. Established in make available relevant information to all
By the end of 2004, the HP server will be 1984, Exact has worked hard to become employees and relations through a sim-
capable of supporting 128 CPUs and the one of the world’s leading providers of ple Web browser.
ability to address 1TB memory.The HP server business software solutions to medium
running e-Synergy has been fully tested in sized national and multinational organi- As an international brand, e-Synergy is
a technical environment, and further bench- sations. Exact software is available in 26 supported by a global network of sub-
marking is being carried out to model a full languages and is now used in 126 countries. sidiaries and business partners in more
production system with hundreds of users. Exact Holding N.V. has been listed on the than 60 countries. It is specially designed
Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange to meet the needs of multinational
Business value since June 1999. organisations seeking to implement a
Instead of being restricted to 8 GB, e-Synergy single, standardised business software
can now be used to address 512 GB. Traditionally, Exact has specialised in solution across several countries.
This means faster speeds for Exact’s Web developing back-office products such as
® ®
sites, customer and reseller portals. Business payroll, accounting and logistics software e-Synergy on Intel Itanium 2
efficiency has improved and new functionality packages. But in the last two years, its Until now, e-Synergy, has been running
can be easily added with adversely affecting innovative research and development team on 32-bit technology. While this has
performance. It also has the potential to has broadened this focus by developing enabled the application to enjoy great
increase sales as it gives Exact the ability to complete ready-to-go e-Business solutions, success, it has prevented it from tapping
serve hundreds or even thousands of users such as e-Synergy, that integrate seamlessly larger markets and resulted in lost business.
with e-Synergy. with back-office products. The launch of the Intel Itanium 2 gives
e-Synergy the opportunity to compete in
Servers E-Synergy is a new solution that makes the 64-bit market for very large and
In the forthcoming months HP will offer 2-, information accessible to an entire organ- information-intensive mission critical
4-, 8-, 16- 32- and 64-way servers based on isation using Web technology. It runs on applications such as those running in
Intel Itanium 2 processors. the Microsoft® Windows® operating data centres. Jeroen van de Heijden,
system and maximises employee produc- Division Director at Exact, says: “We are
Operating system tivity as everyone always has access to currently running on a 32-bit platform
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 the very latest information, any time, any using Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000 on
Enterprise Edition where. Internet technology makes it pos- Microsoft Windows 2000. This gives us
sible to link everything that is important the ability to address 8 GB memory, but
Database within an organisation: people, documents, that is the limit. We cannot address more
Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2003 (64-bit) tasks, assets and more. By increasing memory without the performance slowing
knowledge and reducing work duplication, to an unacceptable level. All our Web sites,
Application software e-Synergy empowers businesses with our customer portal and our reseller portal
e-Synergy from Exact greater competitive strength. run from the same database and it is
losing momentum.Intel/Microsoft/HP customer reference programme case study
“ The key benefits of
Itanium 2 to Exact are
scalability, headroom for
While it has served us well thus far, we
are experiencing the boundaries and
limitations of the 32-bit platform, so we
We believe it has the potential for
implementation in companies with
thousands of users.
want to upgrade to a 64-bit platform.”
growth, and support for “On the HP stand at the launch of Microsoft
Solution Windows Server 2003 we demonstrated
future expansion with the Exact wants to build on its success an HP server platform with Intel Itanium
ability to address more achieved on the 32-bit platform in order 2 running e-Synergy. The operating system
to increase the number of potential users is Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
memory directly. The result and add functionality. “Because our (64-bit), and the database application is
of this will be improved product is performing so well, we want SQL Server 64-bit version.”
to be able to expand the application.
business efficiency and Our database is 300GB so we want more Exact is testing the system internally at
effectiveness… Another key memory in the server in order to read first to ensure that it will meet user
more memory from the cache instead of requirements. The ultimate aim is to sell
benefit for Exact is the ability having to access it via the disks. With 64-bit e-Synergy running on the 64-bit platform
to add functionality without technology, we can expand to address to customers. “If our customers in future
much more memory. This includes hit similar obstacles to growth then we
having a downgrading effect expanding the number of potential users can offer them the product running on
on the performance of the and also extending the functionality. the 64-bit platform,” says van de Heijden.
We want to show the potential and new “By that time we will have the benefit of
machine possibilities of e-Synergy running on a our own experience with 64-bit and can
Jeroen van de Heijden,
Division Director, Exact.
” 64-bit platform,” says van de Heijden.
Windows Server 2003 is primed for mem-
ory intensive applications. This, coupled
advise them. It’s a very exciting time and
we’re looking forward to seeing the
expected benefits.”
with the powerful combination of industry Benefits
standard hardware from HP and Intel, “The key benefits are scalability, head-
means companies, such as Exact can room for growth, and support for future
essentially do more with less. expansion with the ability to address
more memory directly. The result of this
“At present, if we tried to add functionality will be improved business efficiency and
it would have an adverse affect on per- effectiveness because the product is used
formance. The combined Microsoft, Intel in-house for a huge range of activities from
and HP systems will be able to cope with HR and business administration to sales
that additional functionality without and customer support. Another key benefit
slowing down,” says van de Heijden. for Exact is the ability to add functionality
without adversely affecting machine
Kees van Amersvoort, Business Manager performance,” says van de Heijden.
of the HP Itanium products in the
Netherlands, says: “e-Synergy from Exact High Availability
is a very important and popular software “HP is confident that there are going to
package both in the Netherlands and be major benefits in performance and
internationally. It offers ERP and portal scalability with the move to Intel Itanium 2
solutions running on Windows. We are and Microsoft Windows Server 2003
excited about demonstrating e-Synergy Enterprise Edition. No figures are available
live on Intel Itanium 2 and Windows Server yet, but at the HP competence centre in
2003 Enterprise Edition (64-bit) because Grenoble we are working with Microsoft
the demonstration shows e-Synergy can and Exact to build, test, and benchmark
be used in a larger environment with the e-Synergy solution on Itanium 2. We
more memory and CPUs. already have the system up and running,however, we have not yet tested the high
availability aspect with the equivalent of
a whole company running on the system.
For a larger environment that requires a
high level of computing power, this offers
advantages in performance, scalability,
“ Apart from sheer
processor speed, the
performance advantage is in
At present we are still tuning the perfor- and high availability.”
mance and building in more high avail- the amount of memory that
ability,” says van de Heijden. “Typically these large data intensive
environments would be running can be directly addressed…
Future-Proof Solution applications such as SAP and Oracle, but Up to 512 GB of memory
Exact can be confident that it has invested for smaller and medium-sized companies
in a platform that will grow as its business and those that are growing into big enter- this year and up to 1 TB
needs do. It can also be confident that there prises, Exact is becoming an increasingly of memory next year.
is a long term, and very well supported important competitor. Now, with 64-bit
product roadmap. computing and Windows Server 2003, a HP is the first to deliver
whole opportunity for Exact opens up. these powerful leading-
Development of the 64-bit processor goes “Itanium is highly strategic to HP in the
back a number of years. HP has worked longer term in the mid-range and at the edge systems.
closely with Intel and been involved with
the design of the Itanium architecture from
the outset. HP engineers also contributed
to the processor's Explicitly Parallel
high end, in addition to what we are
doing at the lower end with Intel Xeon
processors. Because we are not producing
volumes in anything like the quantity of
Kees van Amersvoort,
”
Business Manager of the HP Itanium
products in the Netherlands
Instruction Computing (EPIC) architecture. Intel, the cost per CPU for our customers
The future of the architecture was at the is high. It made much more sense for HP
forefront of both Compaq and HP’s to focus on high-end computing and let
agendas’ when they merged in 2001. Intel concentrate on cost-effective CPU
development to come to a higher
Kees van Amersvoort, Business Manager price/performance ratio.”
of the HP Itanium products in the
Netherlands, says: “Both HP and Intel Maximise Existing Investments
have spent a great deal of money on R&D In the current economic and highly
in developing the Itanium processor. competitive climate, companies are
So, here at HP we are very committed to increasingly trying to maximise their IT
the success of the Itanium processor.” investments and more carefully balance
technology decisions against the risk of
“Another thing we can do with these not investing. But by investing in industry
systems is to shift applications across standard technology solutions such as
server subsystems. For example, during the Microsoft, Intel and HP combination,
the day employees could use Microsoft they can be sure they have a reliable,
Office software while at night the system dependable platform that is well supported
could switch to Exact, Oracle or SAP if any problems arise.
running a batch job on the same CPUs.
This enables workload management and In addition to 64-bit applications, a lot of
better use of IT capacity. It also creates 32-bit applications will also run on the
major opportunities for consolidation Itanium 2 processor. Customers will
around an organisation’s current server therefore be able to run a vast majority of
environment with all applications running applications on these operating systems
on Itanium architecture.” on HP Itanium processor-based servers,
bringing about new high levels of system
“There are lots of advantages of having performance, scalability, standardisation,
the same CPUs, the Intel Itanium 2, and integration and consolidation, in addition
the same box, for all an organisation’s IT to maximising existing investments.
needs.Intel/Microsoft/HP customer reference programme case study
“ We are excited about
demonstrating e-Synergy
live on Intel Itanium 2 and
HP will offer Itanium 2 servers from 2 to
64 CPUs this year, and next year to 128
CPUs. “Apart from sheer processor speed,
the performance advantage is in the amount
Kees van Amersvoort, Business Manager
of the HP Itanium products in the
Netherlands, says: “e-Synergy from Exact
is a very important and popular software
of memory that can be directly addressed… package in the Netherlands and interna-
Windows Server 2003 Up to 512 GB of memory this year and tionally. It offers ERP and portal solutions
up to 1TB of memory next year. HP is the under Windows. We are excited about
Enterprise Edition 64-bit
first to deliver these powerful leading-edge demonstrating e-Synergy live on Intel
version because the systems,” says van Amersvoort. Itanium 2 and Windows Server 2003
Enterprise Edition 64-bit version because
demonstration shows “This is the kind of environment you the demonstration shows e-Synergy can
e-Synergy can be used in would be able to access from Exact. be used in a larger environment with
It breaks new barriers in terms of the more memory and CPUs. We believe it
a larger environment with high-end back-office infrastructure it has the potential for implementation in
can be used with.” companies with thousands of users.”
more memory and CPUs.
We believe it has the Internally, HP is transitioning its system Industry Leading Support for Industry
software to the new Itanium processor– Leading Solution
potential for implementation based platform. Utilities such as The combined knowledge of three leading
mathematical and statistical subroutine industry players, and the experience,
in companies with thousands libraries are tested and ready. In co- history and expertise they bring, are also
of users. operation with Intel, HP has developed a major plus point for businesses. HP will
”
new compilers optimised for the Itanium provide customers with a single point of
processor family. contact for ongoing support and a single
Kees van Amersvoort, point of responsibility to ensure that these
Business Manager of the HP Itanium Performance Gains systems meet customer requirements for
products in the Netherlands Exact has not yet made a decision on total solutions and high availability.
exactly which model of HP server to use. “Another thing we can do with these
“We are waiting until full test results are systems is to shift applications across
available,” says van de Heijden.” “At this server subsystems. For example, during
stage we are unable to give much in the the day employees could use Windows
way of performance details as we still Office software while at night the system
have only run a technical test environment. could switch to Exact, Oracle or SAP
Tests of a production system will take running a batch job on the same CPUs.
place in mid-2003 at the HP test centre. This enables workload management and
Significant performance gains are expected better use of IT capacity. It also creates
and we have high hopes and expectations major opportunities for consolidation
of the Microsoft Windows Server 2003, HP around an organisation’s current server
and Intel Itanium 2 processor architecture.” environment with all applications running
on Itanium architecture.”
Overall Benefits to Exact
Jeroen van de Heijden says: “the key “There are lots of advantages of having
benefit of Itanium 2 to Exact is scalability, the same CPUs, the Intel Itanium 2, and
headroom for growth, and support for the same box, for all an organisation’s IT
future expansion with the ability to address needs. For a larger environment that
more memory directly. The result of this requires a high level of computing power,
will be improved business efficiency and this offers advantages in performance,
effectiveness because the product is used scalability and high availability.”
in-house for a huge range of activities
from HR and business administration to
sales and customer support. Another key
benefit for Exact is the ability to add
functionality without having a down-
grading effect on the performance of the
machine.”“Typically these large data intensive Itanium 2 Processor Ecosystem Lessons Learned
environments would be running applica- HP is supporting an “ecosystem” evolving Facilitating mission critical data
tions such as SAP and Oracle, but for around the Itanium 2 processor platform. intensive applications. The launch of
smaller and medium-sized companies and HP offers: the Intel Itanium 2 gives e-Synergy the
those that are growing into big enterprises, Consultancy services; also offered by opportunity to compete in the 64-bit
Exact is becoming an increasingly important key VARs and SIs market for very large and information
competitor. Now, with 64-bit computing intensive mission critical applications
Partnerships with all the major ISVs
and Windows 2000, a whole opportunity such as data centre environments.
for middleware (server, directory, and
for Exact opens up.”
security software), database software,
The 64-bit environment supports
and applications software, including
“On the HP stand at the launch of multiple operating systems.
software for key vertical markets and
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Windows, Linux and HP-UX can all
Web-enabled ecommerce.
Enterprise Edition we demonstrated an run at the same time on Itanium 2,
HP server platform with Intel Itanium 2 Complete portfolio Support Services giving users the ability to choose from
running e-Synergy. The operating system Complete line-up of Itanium 2 systems some 50,000 applications.
is Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Extensive portfolio of Itanium 2 solutions.
Edition 64-bit version, and the database Mobile computing enhances user
application is SQL Server 64-bit version.” Microsoft is another key partner in the productivity. At the show Exact
Itanium 2 processor environment. IDC, demonstrated the use of tablet PCs
“All this excitement over Intel Itanium 2 the market research company, says: linked in to the server environment
doesn’t mean 32-bit Intel architecture is at “Microsoft is currently supporting and the e-Synergy system.
an end because there is always a price point. Itanium processor–based systems with its
We believe HP Proliant, which is based Mobile computing enhances user
Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Limited
on the Intel Xeon processor, has at least Edition. In 2003, Microsoft will introduce productivity. Thanks to tablet PCs
8-10 years to go and remains extremely two 64-bit versions of this operating linked in to e-Synergy, users can
price effective for smaller companies.” system: Windows Server 2003 Enterprise enjoy the improved functionality and
Edition and Windows Server 2003 Data performance of the 64-bit environment
Mobile computing Center Edition.”* whether they are working from home,
“Another innovation at the show was the client sites, or on the move.
use of tablet PCs linked in to the e-Synergy Current versions of 64-bit Windows
system. Exact representatives walked Industry support for Itanium
operating systems support up to
around the show with the tablet PCs 8 processor SMPs. However, customers 2-based server development.
demonstrating how they can be used to can run multiple copies of these operating IDC believes that HP's plan to integrate
link in to the server environment.” systems on multiple partitions of larger its server technologies with the Intel
servers. IDC notes that future versions Itanium processor family represents a
High availability of 64-bit Windows will scale to higher viable path for HP's customers,
“HP is confident that there are going to processor counts. offering high performance technical,
be major benefits in performance and business critical and mission-critical
scalability with the move to Intel Itanium data processing.
2 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Enterprise Edition. No figures are available
yet, but at the HP competence centre in
Grenoble we are working with Microsoft
and Exact to build, test and benchmark
the e-Synergy solution on Itanium 2.
We already have the system up and
running as it will be at the Windows
Server 2003 Enterprise Edition launch.
However, we have not yet tested the high
availability aspect with the equivalent of
a whole company running on the system.
At present we are still tuning the
performance and building in more high
availability.”Intel/Microsoft/HP customer reference programme case study
© 2003 Intel Corporation. All rights About Intel Corporation About Microsoft
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