AMPORTS

AMPORTS relys on Assure MIMIX HA for high availability and disaster recovery

Major automakers worldwide rely on AMPORTS for portside vehicle processing services including damage inspections, repairs, washing and accessorizing. AMPORTS is continuously graded for on-time deliveries and other metrics. Disaster recovery is a customer-driven requirement: automakers like GM and Ford require real-time data, and that’s business critical for the organization.

Critical Issue
Major automakers worldwide rely on AMPORTS for portside vehicle processing services including damage inspections, repairs, washing and accessorizing. A custom port-tracking application records each time an company employee touches a car, and status reports are sent to manufacturers, sometimes as often as every 30 minutes. AMPORTS is continuously graded for on-time deliveries and other metrics. Disaster recovery is a customer-driven requirement: automakers like GM and Ford require real-time data, and that’s business critical for the organization.

Business Challenge
At six nationwide port facilities, the company provides a wide range of services for vehicles being imported and exported by its exacting customer base, which includes Ford, Hyundai, Porsche and Volvo.

“We say that we’re like an extension to the factory,” said Gordon Leary, Senior Programmer/Analyst, AMPORTS. “We unload and inspect the cars, store them, put on external accessories like roof racks or mud guards, and even fix defects if that’s called for, all based on detailed specifications from the automakers.”

AMPORTS provides status reports to the automakers via FTP files and other methods based on the customer’s service expectations. In some cases, sophisticated customers have live input into AMPORTS’ operations. Volvo, for example, specifies cars and tasks for employees using VDM files
exchanged directly between the two companies’ IBM systems.  Employees working in the vast parking lots access this information on handheld computers.

Just one hour of downtime for the over-$50-million-a-year company could cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars.  And create major logistical problems. “Without the port tracking application, we’d be in trouble, it would essentially bring our business to a standstill,” said Leary