SBB

SBB Gains Control over Its It Processes with Streamworks

With Streamworks from Arvato Systems, SBB Informatik is relying on one of the most modern solutions for workload automation on the market and is thus gaining control over its IT processes.

With Streamworks, we are technologically up to date and gain centralized control over our IT processes with just one tool. It's also great that our more than 400 users can easily operate the intuitively designed user interface in no time at all.

Roger Schnyder | Product Manager Streamworks

SBB Informatik

Project Overview

Initial situation

In 2011, SBB Informatik was faced with a technology update and thus the replacement of the existing BAGJAS workload automation solution. With more than 50,000 defined batch jobs in a highly networked application landscape on around 50 servers with a wide variety of operating systems, this was no easy task.

Vision

One of SBB Informatik's main objectives was to significantly improve user-friendliness by modernizing the overall system. The high operational quality agreements must also be guaranteed at all times during the migration. The migration of SBB's integrated business solution, which consists of around 100 applications and is often distributed across several platforms, to Streamworks is therefore being carried out in clearly defined stages. If possible, the approximately 200 users actively working in the system will be trained in the new solution in parallel with the migration stages, taking their individual requirements into account.

Solution

Streamworks was integrated into SBB's operating concept in close cooperation, including the migration and training plan. The migration was largely automated using a tool from Arvato Systems. Thanks to careful preparation, the project ran smoothly and on schedule despite networked batch processes. The intuitive Streamworks interface enabled effective training using the "train the trainer" approach and minimized the use of resources. The dialog function enables SBB Informatik to adapt processes individually, which ensures flexibility and guarantees seamless, audit-proof logging.

Up to the Challenge

The challenge was to implement a technology update by replacing the existing BAGJAS solution for workload automation. The goal was to modernize the entire system while allowing ongoing operations to continue uninterrupted. This process required careful planning and coordination to ensure that the new technologies could be seamlessly integrated into the existing processes. It was also important to maintain operations at all times to avoid potential disruption and disruption to users. The result is the successful migration and future-proof operation of around 100 highly networked applications with around 50,000 batch jobs. In addition, around 400 users were trained with minimal use of resources, based on a well thought-out "train the trainer" concept. The switch to one of the most modern workload automation solutions has resulted in a very short familiarization phase and high user acceptance, which significantly reduces the workload for the specialists. In addition, a quantum leap in incident handling has been achieved, allowing problems to be solved more quickly and efficiently. The solution enables the use of over 200 self-service dialogs that are tailored to a wide range of specialist areas, thus promoting an independent and efficient way of working for users.

Streamworks brings us significant relief in incident handling, as we can access all information with just one click via a single central view.

Hans Schild | SAP Application Management

SBB Informatik

Special - The Diagnostic Vehicle

Another special task within the project was to automatically generate the batch jobs for transferring measurement files from the diagnostic vehicle.

The challenge

The SBB diagnostic vehicle takes a large number of measurements practically around the clock on the entire rail network. By docking in one of two stations, the recorded data, such as the measurement of track geometries or tunnel inspections, is transferred from the vehicle's internal server to the data center. The data transfer should begin automatically as soon as possible after arriving at the station, and the transfer volume must not affect other applications.

Solution

Both docking stations are regularly checked by Streamworks. If there is a connection, the Streamworks agent is started automatically in the vehicle server. The batch jobs for transferring the measurement files are generated and started completely automatically. If the connection is interrupted during the transfer because the vehicle leaves the station, the transfer is automatically resumed at the next stop without any loss of data. The network bandwidth used is controlled by the number of batch jobs running in parallel, depending on the time of day, so as not to interfere with any other applications.

The Customer

The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) operate a rail network of over 3,000 kilometers with more than 800 stations. With a total of 29,000 employees, they transport almost one million passengers and 195,000 tons of goods every day. Over 28,000 railroad employees ensure safe and punctual rail operations around the clock. As an internal service provider with 850 employees, SBB Informatik develops customized IT solutions. At the same time, it manages the development of the Group-wide IT landscape, thereby ensuring the harmonious integration of all IT solutions.

To the company website

Your Contact for Questions about our Solutions

Christoph Herold

Expert für Workload Automation

Optimizing the User Experience: The Migration of the SBB Business Solution

How redesigning systems leads to greater efficiency and customer satisfaction

SBB Gains Control over Its It Processes with Streamworks

Project Overview

Up to the Challenge

Special - The Diagnostic Vehicle

The challenge

Solution

The Customer

Your Contact for Questions about our Solutions