MB Singapore achieves 75% faster search performance and boosts stability

The Challenge

For Mercedes-Benz Singapore, moving to the cloud was an exciting step toward modernization but soon hit unexpected bumps in the road. Post-migration, their SQL Server-based systems were put to the test—struggling to keep up with the fast-paced demands of real-time inventory management.

The rigid nature of traditional RDBMS databases resulted in frequent outages, often coinciding with high-stakes sales events or promotional campaigns across Southeast Asia. In these critical moments, downtime was damaging.

“We faced complaints about outages and dissatisfaction over how slow the system was to use,” says Hemanth Bhaskar, senior solutions architect of digital transformation for Mercedes-Benz Singapore.

Product catalog search delays also slowed down the sales pipeline, impacting customers and stakeholders across multiple markets. To deliver the performance and flexibility required, Mercedes-Benz Singapore turned to Redis.

Speed, reliability, and hassle-free integration with Kubernetes

Mercedes-Benz Singapore moved fast with Redis, deploying it on Kubernetes through Azure’s AKS to power critical data operations. Bhaskar chose Redis for its speed, reliability, and seamless Kubernetes integration—crucial for the nearly 5,000 agents who count on the platform daily.

Mercedes-Benz started using Redis for caching and session management, quickly gaining the fast data retrieval needed to boost performance and cut latency. Redis also introduced advanced tools like Redis Search and RedisJSON, making data management scalable and searches faster.

These capabilities allow Mercedes-Benz to improve catalog search and maintain more stability during high-traffic events. “Redis has become the most indispensable tool for meeting the demands of our modernized, cloud-based infrastructure,” says Bhaskar.

Redis on Kubernetes

Redis has transformed Mercedes-Benz Singapore’s data infrastructure, providing faster data retrieval and the scalability needed for high-traffic demands.

Deployed on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Redis replaced a lagging SQL Server-based system, cutting product catalog search times to just one second. This boost improves revenue and protects sales from database outages.

The Redis Search and RedisJSON modules also power important functions like vehicle search and inventory management. This gives staff a better UX and makes for smoother operations across Southeast Asia.

Reducing product catalog search times from minutes to just one second

Redis has helped Mercedes-Benz Singapore deliver fast vehicle searches, cutting product catalog data retrieval to just one second. With Redis Search, end users can quickly find the cars and products they need, almost instantly. Advanced search capabilities improve the shopping experience and boost sales volume.

Plus, RedisJSON improves data handling and search, allowing for better data management and flexibility within the catalog. Together, these upgrades make searches faster and more responsive, improving customer satisfaction and sales operations.

Improving agent & customer access to real-time vehicle data

Mercedes-Benz Singapore uses Redis on Flash to manage vehicle data more efficiently. Using this module, vehicle status updates (such as when a car is sold) automatically move from in-memory JSON to disk space. This move frees up memory, optimizes performance, and ensures consistent customer interactions.

The setup also keeps active data in memory for rapid access, while archived vehicles are stored on disk for analytics and long-term use in a data lake. By dynamically managing storage, Redis on Flash helps Mercedes-Benz maximize memory use, build operations at scale, and consistently load new vehicle data with minimal overhead.

Bringing luxury to retail automotive data management

Redis has transformed the car-buying experience for Mercedes-Benz Singapore and their end users. Product catalog search times dropped from minutes to seconds and the system can now handle nearly 4 million clicks per second. This has improved the UX, significantly reduced time-to-action, and streamlined operations.

“Soon, we’re looking to explore new paths involving Redis search data,” says Bhaskar. “We’re eager to enter the world of GenAI, and we’re excited to find new ways to fuse search and vector databases.”

For now, Redis continues to power Mercedes’ core operations, delivering the performance and reliability essential for a luxury brand. Its high-performance Kubernetes environment simplified operations across multiple markets, ensuring smooth, and consistent service.

“Buying a car has never been faster. And while speed is important, luxury is about providing a flawless and reliable experience,” adds Bhaskar. “Redis has enabled us to balance performance improvements with the luxury of a seamless and delightful experience for our customers and teams.”