Daimler Truck Holding AG successfully navigated a complex IT separation from Mercedes-Benz Group AG by implementing advanced graph database technology. This strategic move untangled decades of intertwined systems, enabling a smoother divestiture and establishing a robust foundation for ongoing operational insights, security, and application intelligence within the newly independent company.
Key Takeaways
- Graph technology provided a dynamic model to map complex IT interdependencies, crucial for the Daimler Truck and Mercedes-Benz separation.
- The solution moved beyond traditional Configuration Management Databases (CMDBs) by incorporating real-time network telemetry for a more accurate and evolving IT landscape.
- This initiative significantly reduced the risks associated with large-scale IT transitions, leading to a cleaner separation and modernization of systems.
- Beyond divestiture, the graph technology has become a strategic asset for observability, security, and application intelligence, enhanced by large language models for user accessibility.
Untangling a Complex IT Estate
When Daimler Truck began its separation from Mercedes-Benz Group AG in 2021, it faced the monumental task of disentangling over 1,500 IT systems and applications. Decades of shared infrastructure and undocumented dependencies meant that a simple "cutting of the cord" was impossible, risking critical application failures for both entities. Traditional Configuration Management Databases (CMDBs) lacked the necessary context, often missing crucial real-world dependencies.
Graph Technology as a Solution
Daimler Truck adopted Neo4j’s graph database technology to create a living model of its IT environment. By integrating network telemetry from ExtraHop Networks, millions of network flows were transformed into graph relationships. This continuously updated graph provided a clear picture of how applications interacted, including hidden dependencies like SMTP relays and database connections that were previously undocumented. This visibility was critical for developing safe and effective separation plans.
A Clean Break and Lasting Value
The implementation of graph technology allowed Daimler Truck to identify and manage application ownership and dependencies with unprecedented accuracy. This facilitated a successful separation, which involved migrating 130,000 mobile devices and 15,000 servers, ultimately reducing the total application count by 40% and modernizing aging systems. The benefits extended far beyond the divestiture. By incorporating firewall logs and security telemetry, Daimler Truck gained enhanced observability, enabling them to pinpoint issues like expired certificates causing intermittent failures and identify compromised devices acting as proxies for attacks.
Enhanced Observability and Accessibility
The graph ontology has evolved into a powerful observability dashboard. By layering a large language model on top of the graph, Daimler Truck has made complex IT data accessible to a wider audience. Users can now ask natural language questions, such as "Why is this application failing?" or "Which dependencies are at risk?", without needing specialized technical knowledge. This democratizes access to critical IT insights, reduces the risk of errors, and accelerates problem diagnosis, transforming a divestiture tool into a strategic asset for long-term operational success.
Sources
- Daimler Truck uses graph technology to untangle its IT estate and gains long-lasting operational windfall –
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Founder Dinis Guarda
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