Elders group fires up big IBM computer to run Mid-Comp's Odyssey supply chain software

Agribusiness giant Elders Limited has installed a powerful IBM computer to support its new supply chain management system from Melbourne-based Mid-Comp International Pty Ltd. 

The IBM System i 570 has 16 processors, 12 of which are activated, plus 384GB of RAM, more than 30TB of disk storage and support for more than 4,500 users. 

Elders CIO Chris Ferguson said Mid-Comp’s Odyssey solution is being rolled out to 430 locations as the backbone of the company's $1.3 billion Merchandise Division business.  He said the new machine would handle growth for the next five years. 

Ferguson said that Java-rich applications such as Odyssey required a powerful processor to run, but the new System i 570 was well able to handle the workload. 

"We needed a decent Java-based supply chain management system to stay competitive, and  happily we found a local company in Mid-Comp over the big vendors including SAP and Movex," Ferguson said. 

The new IBM server replaced an existing 750 model with five partitions to give Elders high availability and room for growth. As well as Odyssey, all other business applications for financial services, banking, HR, livestock, wool, and grain management systems will be transferred onto the new box.

About Elders Limited

Elders Limited is a progressive agribusiness with a focus on client and customer service, delivered by 430 Australian branches and agencies, as well as overseas offices.  The successful and profitable Elders Rural Bank, plus local and international investments in the wool and red meat production lines, and commitment to building farm merchandise, insurance and real estate businesses, are all examples of how Elders meets the service challenge.

 
About Mid-Comp International  (www.midcomp.com.au)

Founded in 1995, Mid-Comp International Pty Ltd is a Melbourne-based developer and supplier of business solutions software that takes advantage of both current and emerging technologies.  Business solutions encompassing Intelligent Supply Chain, Managed Availability and IBM systems management are the key focus. 

Mid-Comp enjoys a strategic relationship with IBM, and supplies products and services to a client list that includes the dominant Australian commercial enterprises.  The company also supplies product to users in 26 countries, including many Fortune 500 companies. 

Mid-Comp’s current emphasis is on architectures and mechanisms that facilitate Internet-based business transactions, with a focus on those that can demonstrate a genuine application in the wider business community. 

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For more information

Steve Bridges, CEO, Mid-Comp International Pty Ltd

Phone:  (03) 9011 8288 or 0407 498 400

Email:   steveb@midcomp.com.au

Chris Ferguson

CIO - Information Technology

Elders Australia Limited

(08) 8425 4000

Mobile       0419 804 496

 
David Frost

PR Deadlines Pty Ltd

Phone:   (02) 4341 5021

Email:    davidf@prdeadlines.com.au