Transkimia ditches Problematic Linux Solution, chooses Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 as platform for business growth

“Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 has enabled us to regain ownership of our IT environment. The Windows platform allows us to move forward. It is a platform which supports applications that will propel us to the next frontier.” - Nicholas Lim, Finance Manager, Transkimia Sdn Bhd


Malaysian trading company Transkimia Sdn Bhd had operated Linux-based file and print, and fax servers for seven years. However, it was regularly bogged down by a series of problems which afflicted the Linux system. Linux’s lack of flexibility and user friendliness meant that the staff could not resolve the problems internally and had to depend on costly external support.

Transkimia decided to move to a more efficient, productive, user friendly and cost-effective server platform - Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003. The migrating to the new platform has eliminated the limitations and frustrations which it encountered with the Linux solution. The Windows Server platform enables Transkimia to concentrate on expanding its business instead of being distracted by trouble shooting the IT system.

Situation

Transkimia Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian company which specializes in trading and distribution of commodity chemicals and construction materials.

Established in 1995, the company acts as agents for various international names such as Bostik, Mitsubishi Gas Chemicals and Agrolinx Melamine International for raw chemical materials and various construction materials. Transkimia also manufactures adhesives, premixes and various specialty coatings under licence for the Coalchem Brand.

Like many small and medium-sized enterprises, Transkimia did not have a substantial IT budget in its early years. In the late 1990s, when it decided to deploy a file and print, and fax servers it opted for a Linux-based solution.

“At that time, there was much publicity about free Open Source software. We decided to deploy a couple of servers running on a commercial Linux in 1999,” says Nicholas Lim, Transkimia’s Finance Manager. One of the Linux servers was later upgraded to Fedora Linux while the fax server remained on an “end of life” version of a commercial Linux.

Unfortunately, the move to Linux started off on the wrong footing as the vendor appointed to deploy the servers failed to complete the job. “Finally, we managed to get another small Linux vendor to finish the job. Getting a vendor skilled in Linux was not easy as there were not many around,” he adds.

In all, Transkimia paid RM8,000 for the hardware and another RM12,000 to the two Linux vendors to get the system running. “Though the Linux software was free, the services cost a bomb!,” he exclaims.

In the intervening years, Transkimia got bogged down by a series of problems which afflicted the Linux system. “We discovered that Linux is not a user friendly platform like Windows, and when problems crop up we can’t resolve it internally. We were dependent on costly external support,” says Lim.

“Linux’s lack of flexibility and user friendliness meant that the learning curve was too high for our staff. Unlike Windows, Linux is not a plug and play operating system,” he adds.

In addition, the inherent complexity of the Linux platform often led to downtime and productivity losses. “Whenever our servers came down, our Linux service provider would usually take at least two to three days to respond.” This predicament meant that Transkimia staff often had to spend time trouble shooting the Linux system, taking them away from growing the business.

At one stage, the company had also toyed with the idea of switching to Linux-based desktops. However, the move failed to materialize. “Even our Linux service provider discouraged us from moving in that direction. We found out there was a lack of Linux-based desktop applications, and support and maintenance costs were higher than Windows.”

Despite the drawbacks of its Linux system, Transkimia stuck with it for almost seven years. “You want to be in control of the system, but the (Linux) system was controlling us. We felt trapped and at a dead end,” Lim laments.

For example, the company had continued using the original version of the fax application which it installed in 1999. “We dare not upgrade it and decided to just leave it alone to run,” Lim says. Transkimia also wanted to deploy a Linux mail server but subsequently decided against it. “We felt it was too complex to install and manage.”

As its business expanded, Transkimia decided to deploy an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system running on a commercial grade database. It found there was a dearth of such applications on the Linux platform. “Even if we had wanted a Linux ERP solution, it would be too complex and costly to deploy and maintain,” he adds.

Lim finally came to the conclusion that “Linux is suitable for large companies which can afford to pay for the high support services or have their own in-house Linux IT experts. For companies where IT budget is not an issue and perhaps bragging rights on managing a complex IT infrastructure is a priority, Linux is perfect for them.

“But for small and medium-sized companies like ours, forget it! There’s no compelling reason to move to Linux,” Lim argues.


Solution

Transkimia decided it needed to bite the bullet and move to a more efficient, productive, user friendly and cost-effective server platform. “The obvious choice was the Windows platform,” says Lim.

“We were expanding and needed a solid growth platform for new business applications. We discovered that many more business applications are available under the Windows platform than for Linux.”

Transkimia deployed Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 (Premium Edition) which comprises Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Exchange Server 2003, ISA Server and SQL Server as integrated components.
The migration back to the Windows platform was completed smoothly within 2 days. The next step for Transkimia is to deploy a Windows-based ERP system which will leverage on SQL Server.

Lim affirms that integrated approach of Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 and its extensive functionalities is ideal for Transkimia. “Unlike our previous Linux solution, Small Business Server is tightly integrated and we get several key applications all in one product.”

“For example, we have a world class operating system, a file and print server, a database, a mail server, a security server and a collaboration solution in Windows SharePoint Services,” he adds.


Benefits

Integrated Solution
With Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Transkimia doesn’t have to worry about integrating disparate systems and or be bogged down by software incompatibility issues.

“Small Business Server saves us a lot of money as we do not have to engage various vendors to integrate separate systems,” says Lim.

“With Linux, we have to adopt a piece-meal approach as we would have to look for third party add-ons to get the required functionalities,” says Lim. He adds the complexity of the Linux environment makes the task of integrating separate applications extremely challenging.

Lim confirms that the additional functionalities of Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, which comes at no additional cost, enable Transkimia to run its business more productively and efficiently. For example, it can leverage on the Windows SharePoint Services technology within Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for an internal collaboration portal.

Stable and Secure
With Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Transkimia no longer needs to worry about security vulnerabilities. The previous Linux system was exposed because it was running on an “end of life” version of a commercial Linux.

This meant the application was no longer supported in terms of security alerts, patches, bug-fixes or enhancements. To get supported versions of a commercial Linux with the necessary upgrades and patches, a company needs to subscribe to an annual support program.

With Small Business Server 2003, patches and bug-fixes are available for free and can be configured to be automatically downloaded. This means that Transkimia’s IT system is protected and any security vulnerabilities plugged speedily.

Productive Use of Time
Lim is relieved that Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 is more stable and easier to manage than the previous Linux solution. This allows Transkimia to spend less time trouble shooting the IT system and more time using technology to boost its business.

Because of the Linux system’s problems and slow response of the vendor, Lim taught himself to resolve minor issues affecting the Linux applications. “Once the Linux server came down and the service provider could not come until several days later. I was frantically trying to get the system running. The server was down for about a week.”

“I should be growing the business, not trouble shooting the Linux system. Not only was it frustrating, it was expensive for me to spend so much time over the years trying to resolve the problems,” Lim says.

Unlike the Linux platform, Lim points out that there is a host of Windows-based service providers available to provide quality support for Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003.

Platform for Growth
According to Lim, migrating to Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 has eliminated the limitations and frustrations which Transkimia encountered with the previous Linux solution.

“With Linux, we never felt in control of our IT operations. We were handicapped because its complexities prevented us from leveraging on IT to grow our business. We often wondered why we are standing on a base that doesn’t support us?”

“Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 has enabled us to regain ownership of our IT environment. The Windows platform allows us to move forward. It is a platform which supports applications that will propel us to the next frontier,” he adds.

To achieve this, the company is currently looking at various ERP and CRM solutions. “Compared to Linux, there are a vast number of applications on the Windows platform that we can leverage on to expand our business,” Lim states.

Overview
Country: Malaysia
Industry: Trading

Customer Profile
Transkimia Sdn Bhd specializes in trading and distribution of commodity chemicals and construction materials. Established in 1995, it acts as agents for various international companies.

Business Situation
Transkimia had encountered problems afflicting its Linux-based file and print, and fax servers for years. Linux’s complexity meant that its staff could not resolve the problems internally and had to depend on costly external support. The Linux platform also hindered it from deploying new business applications to grow the company.

Solution
Transkimia deployed Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 (Premium Edition) which comprises Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Exchange Server 2003, ISA Server and SQL Server as integrated components.

Benefits

• Integrated solution
• Stable and secure
• Productive use of time
• Platform for growth

Software and Services

Products

• Windows Small Business Server 2003 (Premium Edition)
  
  

For More Information
To access information using the World Wide Web, go to: www.microsoft.com/malaysia

For other case studies in this series, visit www.microsoft.com/malaysia/business/ casestudies

For more information about Transkimia’s products and services, call +6(03) 9059 3438.