For many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), IT infrastructure decisions often feel like a trade-off between cost, performance, security, and skills availability. The common misconception is that moving to IBM Power requires specialized expertise that SMBs lack—but Naviair’s journey proves otherwise.
When Naviair, Denmark’s state-owned aviation service provider, modernized its SAP HANA infrastructure, the company chose IBM Power10 over x86 and cloud solutions. Not only did this slash costs and boost performance, but Naviair also successfully transitioned from an x86-based environment to a Linux-powered IBM Power infrastructure—without needing an army of specialists.
How? By upskilling their own IT team with IBM’s help.
Through IBM Expert Labs Services, Naviair’s team worked hands-on with the new technology, learning how to deploy, manage, and optimize IBM Power systems. This frictionless transition proves that SMBs can adapt quickly to modern infrastructure, build their own expertise, and reduce reliance on external support.
Key Takeaways for Small and Medium Enterprises
✅ Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)—IBM Power was 3x more cost-effective than cloud and 50% cheaper than x86 over five years
✅ Faster SAP Performance—Naviair’s SAP HANA workloads ran 3-4x faster after migrating to Power10
✅ Built-in Security & Compliance—IBM PowerSC was integrated into the infrastructure, providing automated security controls, real-time monitoring, and policy enforcement to ensure a secure and compliant environment.
✅ Seamless x86-to-Power Transition—Naviair’s IT team quickly built Linux skills with IBM Expert Labs guidance, proving that Small Medium Enterprises don’t need specialized Power expertise to succeed
✅ Scalability & Resilience—Unlike x86, IBM Power scales seamlessly without disrupting operations, allowing SMBs to grow without IT bottlenecks.
✅ Operational Efficiency & Sustainability—8 x86 servers were replaced with just 2 IBM Power10 machines, reducing energy consumption by 64%
✅ Faster Data Retrieval & Minimal Downtime—With IBM FlashSystem 5200 storage, Naviair significantly accelerated data retrieval times, reducing downtime caused by heavy processing demands. This led to higher user satisfaction, improved operational efficiency, and notable energy savings.
Debunking the "Skills Gap" Myth
One of the biggest myths about IBM Power is that it requires highly specialized skills that SMBs may lack. Naviair’s experience tells a different story:
🔹 Hands-on Learning—Naviair’s IT team took an active role in the deployment, learning Power and Linux infrastructure on the job
🔹 IBM Expert Labs Support—IBM’s experts provided step-by-step guidance, ensuring a smooth transition from x86 to Power
🔹 Familiar Tools & Open Standards—With Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), PowerVC, and PowerSC, IBM Power integrates seamlessly into existing Linux-based workflows, making it easy for Naviar to adapt
🔹 Less Complexity, More Automation—With Power’s advanced virtualization, centralized management, and automation tools, day-to-day operations require less manual intervention than traditional x86 systems
“IBM gave me the confidence that this was do-able. When we had a problem, within 2 hours an IBM expert was on the line, solving it with us. That was a game-changer.”
— Kristian Malvander, SAP Basis Infrastructure Specialist, Naviair
Naviair’s success proves that IBM Power isn’t just for large enterprises—it’s a smart, secure, and cost-effective choice for SMBs looking to future-proof their IT investments.
Want to see how IBM Power can transform your business? Let’s talk. 🚀
For a deeper dive, check out the full case study here: https://www.ibm.com/case-studies/naviair
and
watch the webinar replay: https://ibm.biz/BdGZKd