Simplified server management for paper and board mills
Metsä Group began developing a paper industry solution with Tieto in 2008 to integrate the servers in its paper and board mills. The common project resulted in a “Mill-in-a-box” (MIB) server virtualization system tailored for industrial manufacturing.
Several server systems became one
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“MIB ensures better manageability and availability of servers. All essential components are duplicated across the solution and this ensures 24/7 production. The MIB package is extremely stable and cost-efficient, and it allows us to discard dozens of different server systems,” says Asko Alila from Metsä Group.
MIB is an integrated entity based on VMware and delivered as a private cloud service. A mill-specific cloud ensures the scalability of the service. The capacity can be increased and decreased as needed. The all-inclusive service includes any MIB related expertise, support and operations to the customer.
MIB suits to several industries
The parties work in close collaboration in other areas as well. In 2010, Metsä Group outsourced most of its IT services to Tieto.
Alila tells that Tieto was selected because of its strong industry competence. “Solutions in the paper industry are different from those in other industries. Although we talk about basic infrastructure, the industry has its own requirements that must be taken into account.”
MIB was developed in accordance with Metsä Group’s special needs. However, the solution can be applied to manufacturing, trade, logistics, energy production and management.
Alila is pleased with the solution and says that the MIB server automation also speeds up the order and supply process of the servers. “I strongly recommend the solution for any production-critical systems,” he adds.
MIB and TIPS make a good pair
Metsä Group also uses Tieto’s integrated paper solution - TIPS. TIPS is a manufacturing execution solution used for managing production at paper mills, and for carrying out orders. MIB works well as a server for a TIPS system. MIB enables the mill’s IT solutions to be provided in the form of a private cloud service.
Challenge
The customer wanted to update and standardize the infrastructure of its MES factory systems and was searching for an integrated system in which servers would be easier to manage.
Solution
Tieto and Metsä Group developed a Mill-in-a-box server virtualization system tailored for industrial manufacturing. Dozens of servers were merged into one easily managed, reliable system.
Added value
Mill-in-a-box is a reliable, scalable and disaster-proof solution which represents better value for money than Metsä’s previous systems. It is an integrated cloud based system and its capacity can be increased and decreased as needed. Tieto’s all-inclusive service includes any expertise, support and operation related to the solution. TIPS MES solution provides an industry specific standard solution for sales and production management.
About Metsä Group
Metsä Group is a forest industry corporation whose products improve the everyday lives of people and contribute to well-being in a sustainable way. The company has five core activities: soft tissues and cooking papers, cardboard, pulp, wood products, and wood acquisition and forest services. In 2011, Metsä Group's revenue was 5.3 billion euros, and it employs approximately 12 500 people. The group has operations in approximately 30 countries.
Discover more
We ensure the efficiency and availability of day-to-day forest industry business processes in planning, production and administration as well as at the customer interface. We provide IT solutions covering the entire value chain of the pulp, paper, cardboard, tissue paper and recycling industries.