Automating Efficiency at 4,000 Walmart Photo Centers
When thousands of photo kiosks are at stake, every second counts. Fujifilm needed a way to manage its mobile printing services at over 4,000 Walmart Photo Centers, but their manual, decentralized system was causing major problems. The process was slow, error detection was costly, and risky shutdowns could lead to data loss. This wasn’t just an operational headache – it was a threat to their business.
To solve the problem, Fujifilm partnered with Adanto Software to centralize their operations, automate manual tasks, and build a secure, efficient solution that transformed their business by enhancing security, and protecting their profits.
About Fujifilm
Fujifilm is a global leader in imaging, photography, and information technologies. While known for its digital cameras and film, the company also operates a vast network of commercial services, including the mobile image printing kiosks found in over 4,000 Walmart Photo Centers across the US.
For Adanto Software, a collaboration with a recognized industry giant like Fujifilm is a major validation of its expertise. It demonstrates Adanto’s capability to deliver sophisticated, large-scale software solutions that solve complex operational challenges, solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner for enterprise-level digital transformation.
Key Results
+100K
Total number of micro-service apps automated across all U.S. photo centers
85%
Cost reduction in the new process, which now requires only minimal manual intervention
$1.83M
Estimated annual savings directly resulting from the automation
Technologies Used
Infrastructure:
- ASP.NET Web Application
- Micro-services architecture
- C#/.NET Back-end services
- Cloud Platform hosting – Azure
- Express, Vue.JS, Electron/Chromium
- Azure DevOps pipelines
- Microsoft SQL Server
Micro-Services:
- RESTful API services
- Node.JS service
- MongoDB as a Windows service
- Redis as a Windows service
- Nginx as a Windows service
- LSX App services
- Print services
- Order services
- Data Ingest services
- Remote upload data service
Data:
- Windows Event Logs
- Windows System Information
- Windows Registry Logs
- Print Service Logs
- Windows Services Logs
- LSX Services Logs
- LSX Installer Logs
The Challenge
Maintaining thousands of interconnected systems is a complex task. For Fujifilm’s Photo Centers, the operational model was bogged down by manual processes and a lack of centralized control. It was like trying to manage an orchestra with each musician playing in a different room – painfully slow and prone to errors.
Key goals
Reduce Manual Work: Eliminate the need for on-site, manual analysis of system activities by automating data collection, monitoring, and reporting.
Ensure Safe Shutdowns: Implement a secure, automated shutdown protocol to prevent data loss and disruption of customer image orders.
Enable Remote Access to Logs: Provide remote, real-time access to logs across all photo servers for faster error detection and resolution.
Improve Error Detection & Resolution: Enhance error detection speed and reduce costs by using real-time monitoring and automated alert systems.
The Solution
Adanto Software developed a two-pronged solution – a Centralized Logging System and a Remote Shutdown System – that brought all of Fujifilm’s micro-services under one, unified control. This created a single pane of glass for real-time insights and system management, transforming a decentralized, manual process into a streamlined, automated operation.
Centralized Logging System:
ASP.NET Web Application: This application became the brain of the system, aggregating logs from all micro-services, regardless of their programming language. It also collected crucial Windows system data, including registry, event logs, and service information.
Log Collection and Aggregation: Consolidates real-time logs from thousands of kiosks into a single, unified repository, providing a bird’s-eye view of system activities and enabling efficient monitoring and analysis.
Remote Shutdown System:
ASP.NET Web Application: Manages the orderly shutdown of micro-services at each Photo Center, guaranteeing data integrity and preventing any loss of image orders.
Automated Shutdown Protocol: Executes a graceful, step-by-step shutdown that prioritizes service dependencies for a smooth completion.
System Update Automation: Facilitates seamless and safe deployment of system updates across all kiosks.
Data Integrity Assurance: Ensures all transactions are completed and data is securely stored, protecting against corruption or loss.
About Fujifilm
Fujifilm is a global leader in imaging, photography, and information technologies. While known for its digital cameras and film, the company also operates a vast network of commercial services, including the mobile image printing kiosks found in over 4,000 Walmart Photo Centers across the US.
For Adanto Software, a collaboration with a recognized industry giant like Fujifilm is a major validation of its expertise. It demonstrates Adanto’s capability to deliver sophisticated, large-scale software solutions that solve complex operational challenges, solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner for enterprise-level digital transformation.
The Challenge
Maintaining thousands of interconnected systems is a complex task. For Fujifilm’s Photo Centers, the operational model was bogged down by manual processes and a lack of centralized control. It was like trying to manage an orchestra with each musician playing in a different room – painfully slow and prone to errors.
Key goals
Reduce Manual Work: Eliminate the need for on-site, manual analysis of system activities by automating data collection, monitoring, and reporting.
Ensure Safe Shutdowns: Implement a secure, automated shutdown protocol to prevent data loss and disruption of customer image orders.
Enable Remote Access to Logs: Provide remote, real-time access to logs across all photo servers for faster error detection and resolution.
Improve Error Detection & Resolution: Enhance error detection speed and reduce costs by using real-time monitoring and automated alert systems.
The Solution
Adanto Software developed a two-pronged solution – a Centralized Logging System and a Remote Shutdown System – that brought all of Fujifilm’s micro-services under one, unified control. This created a single pane of glass for real-time insights and system management, transforming a decentralized, manual process into a streamlined, automated operation.
Centralized Logging System:
ASP.NET Web Application: This application became the brain of the system, aggregating logs from all micro-services, regardless of their programming language. It also collected crucial Windows system data, including registry, event logs, and service information.
Log Collection and Aggregation: Consolidates real-time logs from thousands of kiosks into a single, unified repository, providing a bird’s-eye view of system activities and enabling efficient monitoring and analysis.
Remote Shutdown System:
ASP.NET Web Application: Manages the orderly shutdown of micro-services at each Photo Center, guaranteeing data integrity and preventing any loss of image orders.
Automated Shutdown Protocol: Executes a graceful, step-by-step shutdown that prioritizes service dependencies for a smooth completion.
System Update Automation: Facilitates seamless and safe deployment of system updates across all kiosks.
Data Integrity Assurance: Ensures all transactions are completed and data is securely stored, protecting against corruption or loss.
Key Results
+100K
Total number of micro-service apps automated across all U.S. photo centers
85%
Cost reduction in the new process, which now requires only minimal manual intervention
$1.83M
Estimated annual savings directly resulting from the automation
Technologies Used
Infrastructure:
- ASP.NET Web Application
- Micro-services architecture
- C#/.NET Back-end services
- Cloud Platform hosting – Azure
- Express, Vue.JS, Electron/Chromium
- Azure DevOps pipelines
- Microsoft SQL Server
Micro-Services:
- RESTful API services
- Node.JS service
- MongoDB as a Windows service
- Redis as a Windows service
- Nginx as a Windows service
- LSX App services
- Print services
- Order services
- Data Ingest services
- Remote upload data service
Data:
- Windows Event Logs
- Windows System Information
- Windows Registry Logs
- Print Service Logs
- Windows Services Logs
- LSX Services Logs
- LSX Installer Logs
Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what our clients have to say about working with us and the results we’ve delivered.
«Really happy with Adanto’s work and your engineering capabilities in the C#/.Net back end development of our LSX platform. Our team has voted very high marks and would like to keep utilizing your services.»
John Crowley,
Chief Software Architect
«Really happy with Adanto’s work and your engineering capabilities in the C#/.Net back end development of our LSX platform. Our team has voted very high marks and would like to keep utilizing your services.»
John Crowley,
Chief Software Architect
