A secure solution, and confidence in the partner delivering and installing it – these were the crucial factors when the Institut for Byggeri og Anlæg at the technical university, DTU, was choosing a storage solution for its workforce. For employees and researchers at the institute, security is the key concern when it comes to storage, as their activities include teaching, research, research-based consultancy and innovation. It can be a critical issue if, for example, a laptop with several months' worth of research is lost, without its contents having been backed up. DTU Byg has been satisfied with NetApp thus far, so this was the obvious choice when the existing solution needed to be replaced.
Public institutions such as DTU Byg can opt for projects like a new storage solution to be awarded as part of a state pur- chasing agreement rather than a time-consuming procurement process. Konica Minolta IT Services is set up for both of these options, and boasts the added advantage of familiar faces amongst its staff . The complex installation has to be explained in detail to any new people, so it was a great benefi t that the staff at Konica Minolta IT Services had already worked with the installation.
The solution uses Symantec's DLP solution, which ensures data from staff laptops is quickly uploaded to the server. Konica Minolta's IT Services delivered updated NetApp storage, allowing the customer to enjoy the clear benefits — including snapshots and deduplication technology – of using NetApp for storage. Both are a huge leap forward compared to the previous backup and storage, which used tape, taking up a lot of time and space. Moreover, the switch took place while the entire installation was operational, to minimise disruption.
Konica Minolta IT Services was able to develop a new storage solution within the framework of a state purchasing agreement instead of the customer having to undertake a time-consuming procurement process. Konica Minolta was also able to provide specialist staff with core competencies and thorough knowledge of the products and installation that would ensure quick and successful implementation.
The solution comprises Symantec's DLP solution and updated NetApp storage, and it was implemented without having to close the whole system down. DTU Byg extended the service agreements for the existing installation by two months, to ensure they were covered until the new solution was up and running.
A secure solution, and confi dence in the partner delivering and installing it. This was key to success for DTU Byg, where rock- solid storage is top of the list for both staff and researchers at the institute.
DTU Byg was able to upgrade their NetApp storage solution without taking the existing one offline. This minimised disruption to daily operations, as the new solution is now fully updated, in terms of the service agreement, and operating costs are reduced. Both staff and students at the institute are now able to benefit from future-proof storage, guaranteeing that precious data and research results will not be lost.