Client: Aldi

Project: Store Server Upgrade

Background:

Aldi, a globally recognized supermarket chain, was founded in 1913 in Germany. Over the years, it has grown into one of the world's largest and most successful discount supermarket chains. With a strong presence in the UK, Aldi has become a go-to destination for customers seeking high-quality groceries and household essentials at affordable prices. With a network of hundreds of stores spread across the country, Aldi caters to a wide range of customers, from budget-conscious individuals to families looking for value-driven shopping experiences. Its unique approach to offering exclusive own-label products, known for their quality and value, has made Aldi a key player in the retail industry, serving millions of customers every day.

Challenge:

The challenge for the Aldi project was the obsolescence of their existing Dell T320 store servers, as Dell had ceased providing support and spare parts for this model. To ensure seamless operations and continued support, Aldi needed to replace all their Dell T320 servers with the upgraded Dell T340 model across their stores throughout 2022. Crucially, the server replacement had to be executed after business hours when the stores were closed, effectively minimizing any potential business interruption during the transition. This complex undertaking demanded meticulous planning and execution to ensure a smooth and efficient server upgrade process while adhering to strict timelines and avoiding any disruptions to Aldi's day-to-day operations.

Solution:

Working closely with Aldi IT and ISG Tech, we developed a well-coordinated solution to address the server obsolescence challenge. To ensure a seamless transition, Aldi created a store schedule, ensuring adequate coverage for engineers to attend stores and carry out the necessary works. ISG arranged for weekly deliveries of the new Dell T340 servers to our unit.

Our expert engineers promptly attended each store in the evening after closure, efficiently swapping out and setting up the new servers. As per Aldi's request, we completed upgrades for six stores each evening, ensuring a swift and systematic deployment.

In addition to server replacements, we upgraded the hard drives to a higher 2TB capacity, effectively doubling the storage space on the store servers. To enhance network reliability, we introduced a secondary dual-port network adapter, providing two new network connections to the store servers for redundancy purposes.  To facilitate remote assistance and configuration, we set up the servers to allow Aldi IT to access and complete any remaining configurations and data transfers remotely.

We provided a comprehensive sign-off process for each site, meticulously documenting the process with before and after pictures, as well as serial numbers of the new servers. To ensure seamless maintenance, all network cables, both old and new, were thoroughly labeled. In line with our commitment to sustainability, the retired Dell T320 servers were brought back to our unit, excluding the hard drives, and were then responsibly recycled and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Our dedication to providing a streamlined, eco-conscious solution further reflects our company values and commitment to excellence.

Result:

Aldi received a comprehensive end-to-end solution, encompassing logistics and installation of the new servers across their stores. All project details and sign-offs were seamlessly managed through ISG's preferred reporting tool, ensuring transparent communication and efficient documentation. With our dedicated efforts and meticulous planning, the project was executed successfully, meeting all objectives and adhering to timelines without causing any disruption to Aldi's business operations. The smooth deployment of the upgraded servers allowed Aldi to continue providing uninterrupted services to their customers while benefiting from improved server performance and expanded storage capacity. The collaborative approach and efficient execution of the project underscore our commitment to delivering exceptional solutions that exceed our clients' expectations.