Zahid Tractor Company makes pioneering move to open-source LINUX server technology - open source software with enormous value


Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 7th July 2003. The Zahid Tractor and Heavy Machinery Company Limited has implemented the server technology that is revolutionising the computing world. Rolling out Linux across its systems spanning the Kingdom with the help of Saudi Business Machines (SBM), the general marketing and services representative of IBM WTC in Saudi Arabia, Zahid Tractors is leading a wave of change that is allowing organisations to implement the most powerful and secure computer systems without having to pay exorbitant licensing fees. By replacing its Microsoft Windows servers with LINUX, Zahid Tractors has reduced its technology costs by as much as 25%, and demonstrated the value, flexibility and security of open-source software.
 
The new IBM x-Series servers running Linux handle Web services, file and print services, messaging and business applications for Zahid Tractors, which is the Kingdom’s largest dealer in heavy machinery and vehicles, acting as agent for such famous brands as Caterpillar, Ingersoll-Rand, Demag, Lorain, Peerless, Ameise, Volvo Trucks, Volvo Cars, Daewoo Motors, Renault Cars and AMG's Hummer.
 
“Maintaining a reliable and high-performance technology infrastructure is of paramount importance for Zahid Tractors, as we have to provide critical business systems and maintain the flow of vital financial and inventory information between our network of 30 branches around Saudi Arabia, catering to a number of different customer groups,” said Nasser Bayram, IT Manager of Zahid Tractors. “We investigated Linux as a solution to our cost, security and performance problems, and found that it presented a very compelling solution. We already use of a lot of IBM hardware and software technology, so the fact that IBM develops for and supports Linux technology makes adopting this platform attractive.”
 
With over 1,500 employees providing 150,000-plus different products and financial services, as well as professional services and 24-hour technical advice and emergency service, the demands on the company’s information systems are massive.
 
As the company grew and developed, the IT department became increasingly concerned about the steadily increasing costs of software licences, as well as security and reliability concerns about the Windows infrastructure it was using. Zahid Tractors has 56 servers running Windows 2000 connected through a large scale Wide Area Network, running applications based on IBM’s Lotus Domino and WebSphere Web services and messaging technology. After studying various alternatives and presenting these to management, the IT department was given the go-ahead to develop a Linux Research & Development project in 2001. It established a Linux Lab on its premises with its own dedicated network, and partnered with SBM and IBM Global Services to define a solution in 2002. Once the solution was scoped out, it worked with SBM to roll out a pilot project to identify the implementation issues and find solutions before mass roll-out in late 2002.
 
IBM provided specialist consulting, assisting in the proof of concept pilot, and documenting the core procedures to be replicated on all Zahid Tractors’ servers, in addition to specific Linux skills transfer.
 
The Linux platform was chosen for several reasons. Zahid Tractors wanted higher levels of security than its existing Microsoft systems provided, as well as demanding higher levels of stability. A further requirement was the high performance and processing throughput of Linux, as well as its ability to run on almost any type of system, from older machines to the latest enterprise-class servers. Zahid Tractors was also more comfortable moving to Linux as there is a growing user community in the Middle East. A further advantage is that the IBM software that Zahid Tractors was using is open-standards and runs on multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows and Linux, removing the migration issues that plague transformations where platform-specific technologies are used.
 
“Linux is clearly a server platform for the enterprise for the future. Many of the largest corporations in the world are taking advantage of its power and scalability, just as many smaller ones value its cost effectiveness,” said Ahmed Shelbaieh, SBM Client Representative Manager, Western Region. “We enjoyed working with Zahid Tractors on this project, as it makes so much sense technically and business-wise. SBM hopes that this implementation will show other organisations in the Gulf that Linux is a powerful, truly enterprise-quality platform, with all of the flexibility that open-standards software allows.”
 
Zahid Tractors trained its existing staff and started a pilot project in March 2002 with the help of SBM and IBM professional services.  In December 2002, it completed the pilot project to convert all of its Head Office servers to Linux.  Building on this success, it is working with SBM on a rollout plan for a Kingdom-wide conversion of all Windows 2000 servers to Red Hat 7.3 Linux servers (the company is currently testing Red Hat 8 in its labs).  All servers will be migrated by end of the first quarter this year, marking the end of Phase I of this project.
 
Zahid Tractors had specific measurable conditions under which it wanted to implement the new system: zero impact on its users and business systems, full support for its existing core applications, fully documented procedures, with fully trained existing staff and no external recruitment requirements. Zahid’s objective is to invest in its own people, with the Linux team being made up of at least 50% Saudi nationals.
 
A company within the Zahid Tractor group, Modern Computer Company (MCC) is an SBM/IBM business partner, and is committed to IBM hardware, software, and  technology solutions. This Linux implementation transfers experience and skills to MCC to allow it to implement further solutions of this type in the future.
 
-Ends-
 
More About Linux
The Linux software itself is free (i.e. anyone can download it from a number of Internet sites). Distributors such as Red Hat packaged solutions into complete sets, with their own installation systems, and additional technical support, printed manuals and additional resources.
 
Linux is highly adaptable: Linux distributors customize their version of Linux to target a specific type of user. Programmers around the world can modify the source code to suit their needs, and redistribute the software for free. The result is a completely customizable OS, free from the constraints of having to do things in a particular way. 
 
Strong on security: Linux is an extremely robust system, and doesn't often fall victim to network security vulnerabilities. When it does, legions of Linux coders generally release patches that fix the problem within 24 hours--though users still need to download and apply these patches. Virus writers haven't made Linux a major target--yet.
 
Plentiful online help: If users cannot find an answer to a Linux question in the included documentation, there are hundreds of FAQs, how-tos and message boards on the Web. 
 
Scaleable: Linux, in one form or another, will run on everything from an old 486-class machine with 8MB of RAM to clusters of the latest high-speed servers.
 
About SBM
Based in Jeddah, and with branches in Riyadh, Al-Khobar and Jubail, with over 500 employees and 50 years of experience in the Kingdom, Saudi Business Machines Limited (SBM), has played a leading role in the development of information technology in the Kingdom. SBM continues to power business and government sectors in the Kingdom with innovative products, integrated services and e-business solutions. Partnering with the world’s technology leader, IBM, further extends SBM’s status, positioning it as the most comprehensive information technology solutions provider in the region.
 
About Zahid Tractor and Heavy Machinery Co.
Zahid Tractor is proud to represent world leaders in their field, which include, Caterpillar, Ingersoll-Rand, Demag, Lorain, Peerless, Ameise, Volvo Trucks, Volvo Cars, Daewoo Motors, Renault Cars and AMG's Hummer.
 
Zahid have a nation-wide network of over 30 facilities, with customers benefit from professional advice on the best solution to their equipment needs; parts backup from a stock of over 150,000 line items; superior service; fixed price contract maintenance; a twenty four hour emergency service; and financial solutions tailored to their requirements.
 
Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Zahid’s products and services are utilized in the private sector, the construction industry, manufacturing, shipping, the oil industry, ports, airports, steel works and transport.
 
For more information regarding Zahid and their Linux Project, refer to the website: www.zahid.com

© Press Release 2003