ConSol* has developed and installed a web-based mail and messaging platform for the DSL customers communications group of Vodafone. For the services E-Mail, SMS, MMS, address book, and calendar in the Vodafone customer sector, ConSol* developed a flexible IT architecture (integration layer), which connects all services with one another.

Through the integration layer any desired client can interact and communicate independent of language with the backend systems. The on SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) principles based server unites the existing components and makes it possible for Vodafone to provide its customers with comprehensive services. Through the separation of the integration and presentation layers, clients for different countries and devices like PCs or smartphones can be integrated. Then the end user always has the familiar standard view, regardless from which country or which device he logs on.

For developing, ConSol* used the agile Scrum-Method in the software development. Thanks to this procedure, all releases could be delivered on time. Through regular status information and live-demos, which are components of the Scrum processes, Vodafone was always informed about the current state of development. Scrum is becoming more meaningful in the software development, since it makes possible a lean project organisation and fast results.

Currently the platform „Unified Comms“ is already being used by several thousand DSL customers in the customer sector and is based on an architecture which is designed for users in the single-digit millions. Consequently, „Unified Comms“ is optimally prepared for an increasing number of users. Vodafone thereby commands over a modern communications platform which provides various mobile and social network services. Moreover, the integration of acquired land-line vendors, like recently Arcor, is facilitated.

The new platform serves as a basis for further expansion stages. The range should be so expanded in the future and made available to the many millions of mobile phone customers.

More details in our complete success story (pdf)

All customer data is stored in the backend-solution from maxdome and additional solutions like a collection system, a solution for verifying minimum age, and a payment system are connected. In order to connect ConSol*CM to this backend, ConSol* programmed a new REST-interface – thanks to the open interface concept of the software no problem. All data are directly transferred into ConSol*CM over the interface and stored there as a customer entry: e.g contact data, bank connection, booked packages, vouchers, and single film retrievals. All information is available to the employees in cutomer service in real-time.

For all incoming requests in customer service a ticket is automatically raised in ConSol*CM. The customer service employee only manually enters them for telephone requests. He now catagorizes the type of request over a clearly structured user interface: Is this a technical or a  business problem? He selects the customer and ConSol*CM accesses all relevant data from the backend and the connected systems. Thus the customer service employee has an overview of the entire customer situation and history. Afterwards, he has a large selection of suitable workflow activities available, which are presented graphically and clearly in a block adjacent to the customer data for his viewing.

In order to flexibly adapt its customer service to new requirements and continually improve it, maxdome checks e.g. by means of analyses where additional functionality is necessary or where it could bring improvements. Such new demands are quickly implemented by the  ConSol* team: It programs the features and installs them with the next update, without disturbing live operations.

„Through the agile further development of  ConSol*CM we optimize our service with every update. The everyday workload of our colleagues in the Call Center has been relieved by  ConSol*CM: Fast, clear, intuitive to operate and still gives you all information at a glance.“

Marc Rogge, Leader CRM & Customer Service at maxdome

More details in our complete success story (pdf)

]]> http://www.consol.com/success-stories/online-video-store-maxdome-video-service-with-one-click/feed/ 0 http://www.consol.com/success-stories/performant-secure-scalable-high-power-integration-interface/ http://www.consol.com/success-stories/performant-secure-scalable-high-power-integration-interface/#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 07:28:58 +0000 Anna http://www.consol.com/?p=13032 ConSol*, in the scope of a comprehensive EAI project, has created a platform through which the Vodafone external partner systems like portals (e.g. customer portal myVodafone) and other Vodafone operating companies (e.g. Vodafone Netherlands) can connect directly to the Vodafone Germany systems – without security or  performance loss.

The project was gradually implemented by a team of 5-12 software developers and took just about one year. ConSol* was responsible for the conception, implementation, quality assurance and integration of the new platform. ConSol* took over the continuous maintenance of, in addition to the hardware,  also the software for Vodafone Germany.

The LIG platform consists of high-available and premium quality middleware applications, runs at present in a cluster on eight nodes and fulfills the current security standards for the protection of internal systems. Only cluster-capable Open Source components are being deployed: MySQL as  clustered database, ActiveMQ as clustered messaging platform and Glassfish as application server. In addition to the clustering, LIG protects the sensible backend systems from too high a load, through a throttling-mechanism.

In total, ConSol* has established 14 external services like for example the Global Integration Gateway GIG of the  Vodafone Group, Salesforce, and an Order & Contract Management. Moreover, ConSol* connected eight internal backend systems, including the customer information system KIAS, through the internal Enterprise Service Bus. Due to its high flexibility and scalablity, the Local Integration Gateway is also ready for future enhancements.

For the simulation of the external partner and the internal backend systems, ConSol* uses Citrus (www.citrusframework.org) in the scope of quality assurance. By running approximately 500 automated tests, ConSol* assured that the functionality of the existing developments would not be restricted or unwantedly changed by new developments.

„Thanks to the Local Integration Gateway, it’s now possible for Vodafone partners to initiate information queries and processes directly in the Vodafone Backend Systems. LIG protects thereby the internal backend systems against unauthorized access and overload, creates standards for the partner integration, and is simultaneously flexible enough to integrate partners individually.“

Christian Wied,
Senior Software Consultant at ConSol*

More details in our complete success story (pdf).

Brainloop AG is the leading provider of solutions that enable users to work on confidential information and documents in the company across sectors in a fully secure manner. The company has now opted for the ConSol*CM solution from Munich-based ConSol* Software GmbH to process its customer service. The customer service department captures and processes all support requests regarding the highly secure, web-based platform from Brainloop. These so-called data rooms are made available to external customers. ConSol*’s customer service management software ConSol*CM prevailed over its competitors in the selection process thanks to the flexibility of the comprehensive solution, easy implementation, excellent usability functions, and the option to develop SaaS and on-site installations.

Brainloop’s Requirements:

Brainloop offers user-friendly data rooms, which enable companies to share highly confidential information and documents securely, even across several different companies. Companies can automatically roll out, for example, security concepts and compliance regulations in these data rooms, where the highly confidential documents are edited and exchanged with external partners. Fast and professional processing of support requests is essential to ensure that a secure data exchange can take place at any time. A ticket is created when no SMS messages can be sent from the data room or when a particular document is no longer accessible, for example. The ticket is then forwarded to the operations department when serious problems arise that affect the server, for example.
“We had various requirements for the new solution and had to integrate an extremely wide range of processes in customer support. We wanted to find an all-in-one solution,” explains Susanne Raisch, Head of Customer Support at Brainloop. “The important factors for us were a central tracking system for incoming helpdesk requests, the traceability of requests, and the fastest possible reaction times. And we found all of these elements in the ConSol*CM customer service management solution.”

Please find more infomation in our German press release.

ConSol*CM is supported and ready to run with Oracle Exadata Database Machine, Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud and Oracle Linux

ConSol* Austria Software GmbH today announced that ConSol*CM Version 6 has achieved Oracle Exadata Ready, Oracle Exalogic Ready and Oracle Linux Ready status through Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN), demonstrating that ConSol* Austria supports ConSol*CM Version 6 on Oracle Exadata Database Machine, Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud and Oracle Linux.

ConSol*CM is a workflow management system which provides technological support for business processes of all kinds. Basically, the software offers solutions for mapping, controlling and tracking tasks and processes in organizations of all sizes and industries.  ConSol* Austria is a Gold level member of Oracle PartnerNetwork.

Customer Benefit

“With Oracle Exadata Database Machine and Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud, customers of ConSol* Austria have access to a leading combination of hardware and software. By achieving Oracle Exadata Ready and Oracle Exalogic Ready status, ConSol*CM can offer a modern and efficient CRM solution where the database as well as the application server run in harmony with the hardware environment,” says Engelbert Tomes, CEO at ConSol* Austria.

About Oracle Exastack Ready program
Oracle Exadata Ready and Oracle Exalogic Ready are part of the Oracle Exastack Ready program which allows partners, such as ConSol* Austria, to be recognized by Oracle for developing, testing and supporting their applications on Oracle Exadata Database Machine, Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud and Oracle SPARC SuperCluster engineered systems. The Oracle Exadata Database Machine delivers extreme performance and is the ideal database platform for OLTP applications, data warehouses as well as the varied and unpredictable workloads of cloud computing. It is a complete package of servers, storage, networking, and software that is massively scalable, secure and redundant. Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud is hardware and software engineered together to provide extreme performance, reliability and scalability for Oracle, Java and other business applications, while delivering lower TCO, reduced risk, higher user productivity and one-stop support. Oracle Linux, which includes the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel, brings the latest Linux innovations to market, delivering extreme performance, advanced scalability, and reliability for enterprise applications, at a lower cost.

Learn more:

• Press release
• Technology partnerships

Exchange of knowledge and the definition of best practices

The ConSol* Consulting & Solutions Software Co. has joined the association of the German Cloud Computing Industry, EuroCloud Germany eco, and with that the related association of the German internet economy. ConSol* puts the emphasis of this engagement, among other things, on the definition of best practices.

As an IT full service provider ConSol* is pursuing with the theme cloud computing an integrated approach: the portfolio comprises not only advising and conception of cloud environments, but also the implementation of migration and integration projects in the cloud.

“Our procedure covers the entire interplay in the cloud environment. This extends from storage over sytems and software up to process modification and evidence of potential snares. We analyse the reasonableness of a move to the cloud and name the possible alternatives. Our vendor independence guarantees unconditional openness and an objective statement of the facts. Through our integrated approach we avoid incompatibilities and potential problems with the interplay of technology and processes. The pan-European network of EuroCloud Germany_eco offers the optimal scope to further advance cloud computing,” says Henning von Kielpinski, departmental manager of Professional Services at ConSol*.

The Operating Center at ConSol* put itself to the test in September in the third repeated audit by the TÜV Management Service and again received the ISO certificate for highly professional IT administration and excellent consulting for the operation of customer systems according to the DIN EN ISO 9001:2008 standard – now valid until July 2015.
The TÜV auditor once again certified ConSol* Operating thereby, that a professional team works with stabile, well-practiced processes, very open information, and superb successes with regard to customer satisfaction.

The process management at ConSol* Operating takes place with the help of the  Servicemanagement-Software ConSol*CM, which makes the high degree of professionalism in administration, monitoring and consulting for the operation of customer systems possible.

About the history of ISO certification at ConSol*:

The certification of ConSol* Operating according to ISO 9001:2000 took place in August 2003 after only eight months lead time. After two monitoring audits ConSol* underwent the required extensive repeat audit in July 2006 and again received top grades. In Juli 2009 the second repeat audit took place with a new auditor from TÜV Süd, now according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2008. The result: superb evaluations. In the monitoring audits 2010 and 2011, once again high professionalism was certified, for example in backing up for maintaining as well as  prompt restoring of IT systems in an emergency. ConSol* finished the third repeat audit in September 2012 again successfully and was awarded  the certificate for the BU Operating, valid until July 2015.

Here you’ll find our certificate in pdf-format (292 KB) for downloading in German and English.

Consulting, implementation, and licenses from a single source.

ConSol* has now achieved the partner-status \”Value-added Reseller (VAR) Partner\” within the TIBCO Partner Network  (TPN). Thereby, TIBCO has raised its partnership with the Munich-based IT full-service provider to a new level.

TIBCO Software Inc. provides enterprise infrastructure software, which is deployed either directly on the company’s site or within a cloud-computing environment. Over 4000 customers worldwide rely on TIBCO to control their information, decisions, processes, employees, and data in real-time. Until now, ConSol*, as just a consulting partner of TIBCO, could offer only consulting and implementation services. Beyond this, ConSol* is, from now on authorized to sell TIBCO licenses. This brings an enormous benefit to ConSol* customers, who now immediately receive consulting, implementation, and licenses from a single source.

“We’re now pleased to put our partnership with TIBCO on a broader basis”, said Daniel Marques, Manager of Development at ConSol*. “That makes it possible for us to put exceptionally attractive product and service packages together – a synergy effect which helps our customers to therewith save time and money.”

About TIBCO Partner Network (TPN):
TPN is a network of experienced business, technology, and consulting partners. TIBCO chooses the partners depending on their expertise in the areas of system integration, hardware, and software as well as because of  their industry know-how and other business-critical services. TIBCO offers a number of partnership varieties – with the goal of providing customers TIBCO-based solutions or services with real value.

In May 2012, ConSol*, the award winning Munich-based full-service IT provider, expanded into the Middle East market with the opening of their office in the prestigious Dubai International Financial Centre district. Offering bespoke software development services and industry specific solutions, ConSol* is set to further revolutionize company’s business processes by showcasing new innovative software solutions at this year’s GITEX held between October 14-18 at Dubai’s World Trade Centre at Hall 7, A7-44.

“GITEX’s growth is synonymous with the evolution of Dubai as a global destination, and after the expansion with our new office in the DIFC district this year, displaying our products and ensuring companies are aware of our innovative services is an important part of our global sales strategy as well as our commitment to development in the region” commented ConSol* MENA’s Managing Director, Dietrich Kanz.

Visitors and exhibitors alike can anticipate the exclusive introduction of new innovative solutions evolving from the award-winning ConSol*CM product line, including ConSol*CM for Finance, a software targeting financial institutions to manage and shorten the sales cycles of financial products. “With ConSol*CM for Finance in place, within a few months itself, companies can expect higher sales, higher customer satisfaction, increased brand value, higher quality at all points of the business process and assured customer loyalty” says Kanz.

The second product offering to be showcased at GITEX is ConSol*CM for IT, which targets clients in the IT industry. It reduces your service desk costs through shorter processing times, steady quality improvements through measurements of KPI’s, management decision support through meaningful reports, location independent collaboration and direct access to all customer and case information.

Specifically designed for the media industry, ConSol*’s Focal Point Server is a work-flow management software, that will revolutionize tracking and maintaining of video and graphic related files by structuring them as a part of digital workflow. Focal Point Server offers a new way to create, version, track and search all editing projects, graphics and enables users to find documents conveniently and without the fear of accidental deletion. It is invaluable for managing the growth of digital media assets and for location independent collaboration in large media projects.

Also being presented at GITEX 2012 is ConSol*’s Mobile Software Development service.

“We are proud to state that we are the partner of choice today, within the complex world of integrating business processes and mobile apps” comments ConSol*‘s Founder and CEO Dr. Ulrich Schwanengel. “ConSol* has a proven record of producing bespoke software, dealing with large European telcos, government and car manufacturers. Integrating corporate systems with mobile technology leverages the opportunities of tomorrow, as the use of mobile tablets and
phones will outpace computers in the near future.” concludes Schwanengel.

Visit ConSol* MENA at GITEX in Hall 7 at stand number A7-44 from
October 14^th to October 18^th 2012.

Talks und workshops all about the theme Java: The JayDay 2012 takes place on 12/3/2012 in Munich and addresses especially the Java Community. One of the speakers is Dr. Roland Huß, Research & Development manager at ConSol* Software.

About Jolokia
Jolokia is a JMX-HTTP bridge giving an alternative to JSR-160 connectors. It is an agent based approach for remote JMX access with support for many platforms. In contrast to standard JSR 160 connectors the communication between client and agent goes via HTTP with the exchange of JSON messages. In addition to basic JMX operations Jolokia offers  further features like bulk requests or a fine granular security policy. Several client libraries for various programming languages already exist out of the box but due to open protocols a proprietary client is easily implemented. This talk focus on an overview of Jolokia, its features and highlights.

More Information: http://www.jolokia.org

About the speaker
Roland Huss is a software architect and head of research and development at ConSol Software, a consulting company focused on Java development and IT services. He has been developing in Java for fifteen years but never forgot his roots as system administrator and keeps a strong focus on the manageability of his projects.