System modernization and administration without risk
This project involved the virtualisation of the automation and IT infrastructure of Solupharm Pharmazeutische Erzeugnisse GmbH. The main task was to modernise an existing production line by converting physical IT resources into virtual machines to ensure greater flexibility, reliability and lower costs.
Realisation
In this project, the virtualisation of the automation and IT infrastructure at Solupharm was implemented using advanced virtualisation technologies that abstract physical IT resources such as hardware and software. The main objective was to modernise an old bottling line running on an outdated Windows 7 system without the risk of machine downtime or loss of production.
The technology behind virtualisation is based on the implementation of virtual machines (VMs), which make it possible to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine. Each application, including the operating system, has been virtualised in an isolated software container to ensure greater security and flexibility. The physical server resources were optimally distributed between the VMs to enable ideal load distribution and resource utilisation.
A key advantage of this method was that security risks were isolated at hardware level, while at the same time the entire machine status could be saved as files. These VMs could thus be easily moved, copied or migrated to other physical servers. Centralised system control greatly simplified administration, resulting in a significant reduction in operating costs and optimisation of IT processes. The entire implementation was completed within a few days.
Customer benefits
The customer benefit in this project lay in several decisive advantages that Solupharm was able to achieve through the virtualisation of its automation and IT infrastructure:
- Securing the production line: virtualisation modernised the outdated IT infrastructure without completely replacing the physical hardware. This allowed Solupharm to avoid a costly and time-consuming retrofit. The old hardware continued to act as a backup in an emergency, providing additional security.
- Cost and time savings: Virtualisation enabled modernisation without lengthy production interruptions or the need for a complete new purchase. This minimised downtime and achieved significant savings in investment and operating costs.
- Flexibility and future-proofing: The implementation of virtual machines and the ability to run multiple operating systems on one physical machine increased the flexibility of the production processes. Solupharm was thus able to adapt quickly to future technological developments without having to make further extensive hardware investments.
- Optimised system administration: Centralised system control considerably simplified the management of the IT infrastructure. Maintenance, adjustments and security updates could be carried out more quickly and in a more targeted manner, which further increased the efficiency of the processes.
- Increased reliability and performance: Optimised load distribution and the abstraction of physical resources in VMs increased the reliability of the production line. This reduced the risk of production downtime and ensured the long-term performance of the system
