Mainline Implements Linvatec's High-Availability Solution with Surgical Precision

Linvatec is in the business of improving lives. As a leading manufacturer of medical devices, Linvatec provides the tools used by orthopaedic surgeons around the world. Orders must be processed in a timely manner because so much depends on their products. Knowing that physicians and their patients cannot afford for Linvatec's daily operations to be interrupted by reporting processes and system back-ups, the Computer Operations Department set out to implement a high-availability solution that could handle business requirements.

Linvatec is at the forefront of technology development for the instruments used in a growing range of least-invasive and orthopaedic surgery procedures, including diagnostic testing and reconstruction of knees, shoulders, and small joints.

Linvatec's Hall^® Surgical line of power surgical instruments are used for oral/maxillofacial procedures, otolaryngology, hand surgery, podiatry, thoracic surgery and neurosurgery. Many procedures are supported by a variety of endoscopic and fiber optic products also made by Linvatec. Imaging instruments, including cameras, video monitors and VCRs, are manufactured at the Linvatec Imaging Systems division.

The Challenge
Linvatec's existing server solution was an old AS/400 model 620E. The server leasing agreement was expensive and the perfor­mance of this older server was outdated and quite slow. Normal employee usage, along with the end-of-day processes created a workload that was simply more than the server could handle. As a result, end-of-day processes, including reporting and system back-up, required that the server be brought down. This meant employees could not access data and applications to complete their work. Product order procedures, accounting, and other operations were put on hold while necessary, but inconvenient processes ran in the background. As a 24X6 business, Linvatec needed 0% downtime and high availability.

In addition, Linvatec had a disaster recovery solution with a third party provider that they did not feel was adequate. "We did not feel the existing DR solution gave us the security and peace of mind we needed in the event of a disaster,"explained Darren Guse, Computer Operations Manager. "After many years of failed tests and difficulty in scheduling retests, we decided it was time for a change. We wanted to be proactive rather than reactionary, and decided to adopt a ?disaster avoidance' solution."

Linvatec sent out an RFQ, inviting a variety of solution providers to meet with them and discuss solution options. Based on evaluation meetings with these providers, Linvatec chose to work with Mainline. Guse explains, "Mainline was not only chosen based on price - although they did come in lower than others - but was also chosen based on the technical expertise they demonstrated during our meetings with various vendors. Mainline definitely walked in with people who knew what they were talking about, and also stayed focused on the goal that Linvatec laid out in the RFQ."

The Solution Strategy and Implementation
Mainline worked with the Linvatec team to implement a total System i solution, including implementation and skill-transfer services:

• 2 - IBM System i Servers
• The first System i server has two LPARS running MIMIX and resides in Linvatec's Largo, Florida facility
• The second System i server has one LPAR and is located at a co-location facility in Tampa, running MIMIX between itself and the first system
• Mainline installed and configured the MIMIX software, and trained operations applications staff members to use the software
• OS upgrades and conversions were handled by IBM services and in-house personnel

"Mainline worked closely with us throughout the solution design and implementation process, making sure that deadlines were met and that our solution was running at optimal performance levels,"stated Guse. "Mainline did not simply sell us a server and stop there. They provided critical after-sales support and services that made the solution implementation a success. Our Account Executive made sure any issues that arose were resolved in a timely manner and a Mainline System Engineer oversaw the MIMIX implementation and training. The skill sets, knowledge base, and commitment level of the Mainline team members is what sets them apart from other solution providers."

Business Benefits and Solution Results
Through this new server and disaster recovery/avoidance solution, Linvatec was able to achieve their desired outcomes. "By switching to the new solution we have reached all our goals, and have also reduced month-end processing. We have achieved 24x6, 100% up-time, without interruption to the end users and customers."

Guse's team has realized major cost savings and now has the peace of mind that comes with a solid DR solution. "We found that the cost of this solution approach was far less than what we had been paying for a third party disaster recovery service. The new system and the remote hot-site setup through a third-party hosting facility allows us to test and retest as often as we want, and since the systems are always available and running, we can use them on a daily basis to reach our goal of 100% uptime. In short, it costs less, is capable of being validated and tested on a regular basis, and is pro-active; disaster avoidance over disaster recovery."

For more information about this solution, call your Mainline account representative or call Mainline directly at 866.490.MAIN (6246).