Sony Reduces Database Costs With Mysql
Behind the Scenes with MySQL
Sony Reduces Database Costs with MySQL
Sony International (Europe) GmbH in Stuttgart, Germany
runs one of the most modern electronic measuring facilities
in the world. In this laboratory, Sony tests all electronic
entertainment devices in accordance with existing emissions
regulations (e.g. CE Norm - The European Committee for
Standardization). Any electronic product or device sold in
the European Union (EU) countries must pass these tests
and comply with these regulations.
Sony also tests products for other large electronic companies
who need to ensure their products can be sold across all
European Union countries. As a result, thousands of different
electronic products including computers, TVs, VCRs, and
stereos are tested annually.
Originally, the testing records were all paper-based, making
"MySQL is high-performance and
it a very time-intensive to submit testing requests and look up
certificates. To solve this problem, Sony created an extensive
easy to use. It is simple enough
workorder system (FIS) built on the LAMP (Linux, Apache,
for us to rapidly develop small
MySQL, PHP/Perl/Python) stack which allows Sony employ-
ees, partners, and resellers to submit testing requests for
projects and powerful enough
particular products. The system also stores all testing
results and the test certificates.
to successfully implement large
projects."
Michael Alvarez
Senior Manager, IS Department
Sony International (Europe) GmbH
Behind the Scenes with MySQL Sony International
Reducing Complexity and Cost While Improving Reliability
After investigating Content
Management Systems, Sony
originally chose FileNet to
solve their problem. However,
FileNet did not satisfy Sony's
requirements out of the box.
FileNet had to be heavily cus-
tomized using Microsoft SQL
Server and Active Server Pages
using external consulting
resources. This additional effort
took several man months, was
costly and in the end it was too
complicated and not reliable
enough for Sony's designated
Originally the content manage-
"MySQL enabled us to imple-
purpose.
ment system consisted of
Windows applications running
ment the project in only three
Furthermore, the FileNet
on Windows 2000 Server and
licensing model turned out to
months without any problems.
one external website. Today the
be much more expensive that
system is running on Debian
originally estimated.
MySQL has proven itself to be
GNU/Linux, in addition to an
Sony began to explore an alter-
external website with search
exceptionally fast and reliable."
native solution that would be
functionality that is used by
more cost-effective. Since Sony
partners. This external website
Michael Alvarez
had successfully implemented
enables resellers to verify if a
Senior Manager, IS Department
MySQL in other projects, they
particular product complies
Sony International (Europe) GmbH
began rewriting the Content
with the EU emission regula-
Management solution based
tions so the products can be
on the LAMP stack. The new
sold within EU countries. If
project using MySQL and PHP
products are not certified, part-
took a single developer only
ners are able to submit a testing
three months to complete!
request through the FIS system.
Why Leading Organizations Are Running MySQL
Significant MySQL features
Ease of Use – MySQL was
well as the test orders, test re-
that helped make the project
easy to use and the application
sults, test certificates, and reports
successful include:
rewrite only took a single devel-
are stored in Sony’s FIS system.
oper 3 months to complete.
Furthermore, Sony makes the
Reliability – MySQL is extremely
test certificate database available
stable and has resulted in FIS
Full Text Search – Makes
to their external customers via
being continuously available for
accurate and intuitive search
an external website.
Sony employees, partners, and
possible.
resellers.
Replication – A replicated
Price and Low Operating Cost
portion of the database is
MySQL Significantly
The implementation of MySQL
made available externally
Reduces the Database Costs
has saved Sony International
to partners and makes Hot-
MySQL reduces the Total Cost
over 90% in licensing, mainte-
Standby possible.
of Ownership (TCO) of data-
nance and support costs associ-
Excellent Support – The MySQL
base software by:
ated with their initial Content
support team was extremely
Management Solution.
x
Reducing database licensing
responsive and knowledgeable.
costs by over 90%
Multi-Platform Availability
Over the past few years, over
MySQL is a natural fit with PHP
x
Cutting systems downtime
70,000 products have been
on both Windows and Linux.
by 60%
tested by Sony for compliance
Sony was able to develop on
with the EU limits on electronic
x
Lowering hardware
Windows and deployed on
and electro magnetic fields. All
expenditure by 70%
Linux with ease.
test results for product dates, as
x
Reducing administration,
engineering and support
costs by 50%
MySQL is known as an ideally
suited database for Web appli-
cations. At Sony in Stuttgart,
MySQL has proven itself, yet
again, as a highly stable and
reliable database for accessing
large amounts of data in busi-
ness critical environments.
Technical Environment
About MySQL
Hardware:
Genesi Pegasos
MySQL AB develops and markets a family of high
performance, affordable database servers and
OS:
Debian GNU/Linux
tools. The company's flagship product is MySQL,
CPU:
PowerPC
the world's most popular open source database,
RAM:
512 MB
with more than 5 million active installations.
Many of the world’s largest organizations, includ-
Database:
MySQL Server
ing Yahoo!, Sabre Holdings, Cox Communications,
Web Server:
Apache
The Associated Press and NASA, are realizing
significant cost savings by using MySQL to power
Language:
PHP, Visual Basic, C
Web sites, business-critical enterprise applications
Database Size: x
1 Gb
and packaged software. MySQL AB is a second
x
70,000 records
generation open source company, with dual
licensing that supports open source values and
methodology in a profitable, sustainable business.
For more information about MySQL, please go to
www.mysql.com.
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