|
CPP
- Mountain View, CA, Singapore and Australia
- Represented in every continent except Antarctica
- Sole licensee of Myers-Briggs
Business Challenges
- Need for a new file server for desktop data and a new SharePoint rollout
- Cost of whole storage lifecycle across Primary, Archival, Backup and Disaster Recovery
Using StorSimple
- One Box for Primary, Archival, Backup and DR of all data
- File Shares for users desktop data
- SharePoint BLOB externalization and Management
- Future plans for Exchange mailbox storage on StorSimple
Security, Performance and Rewriting Applications
- AES-256 encryption adequately met security requirements
- No Rewrite of Applications – due to iSCSI interface
Retired Systems and Scale of Storage
- Not renewing Backup Exec Software, DLT, tapes and offsite tape service
- 5TB user data, 1TB of SharePoint data plus cloud backup and archives
Virtualization and Cloud Providers
- Windows Azure Cloud Storage
- Almost totally virtualized using VMware
Benefits of Using StorSimple
- Significant cost reduction due to being able to retire Backup Exec Software, DLT, tapes and offsite tape service and many wasted man-hours
- Automatic archiving removes the need for migration
- Simple management
- Simple Disaster Recovery
Why StorSimple
- Microsoft and VMware Certifications
- Microsoft relationship
Lessons Learned
“You have one box that allows you to replace your backup software, tape support infrastructure, offsite service and many wasted man-hours. StorSimple just works. It’s a no brainer.”
|
About CPP?
CPP’s story began more than 50 years ago with the pairing of two psychology professors—one from Stanford and one from U.C. Berkeley—with a common goal: to use research-based psychological assessments to give people the insight and guidance they need to develop in both their personal and professional lives. Their partnership resulted in the creation of CPP, Inc., the company formerly known as Consulting Psychologists Press.
CPP is the sole licensee of the time tested Myers-Briggs Assessment product that is known for its scientific validity and reliability. It has subsidiaries in Singapore and Australia and is represented in every continent except Antarctica.
Why Cloud Integrated Enterprise Storage?
CPP initially started looking at the potential of cloud storage and StorSimple when it kicked off a project to replace its file server with new shared storage for desktop data. In parallel CPP initiated a separate project looking at how each department could have a space to manage project documents, wiki information and tasks in SharePoint. While evaluating NetApp a partner recommended CPP should look at StorSimple as well.
CPP had a costly and expensive process to manage the whole storage lifecycle across primary storage, archival, backup and Disaster Recovery with extensive use of tape. Data was stored on Direct Attached Storage (DAS). Backup Exec was used to manage backup to a media server, which subsequently created a tape backup. An offsite tape service was used. Each tape was replaced once a year but not validated after being stored offsite.
Using StorSimple
CPP has a completely virtualized VMware environment running on a Hitachi SAN. All file share and SharePoint data is stored on StorSimple. StorSimple is “One Box” for cloud integrated enterprise storage encompassing primary, archiving, backup and Disaster Recovery. The StorSimple SharePoint Optimizer externalizes BLOB data using the RBS API. Future plans include managing Exchange mailboxes on StorSimple.
Views on the three myths of Cloud Computing – Security, Rewriting Applications and Performance?
Philip had done previous research and attended detailed conference sessions on the cloud. His knowledge meant he had no concerns about the three myths of cloud computing – security, rewriting your application and performance.
Before any data is written to the cloud the StorSimple appliance deduplicates, compresses and performs AES-256 military grade encryption, which adequately met CPP’s security requirements.
What systems were retired and what is the scale of storage
By using StorSimple’s cloud integrated enterprise storage appliance CPP will not update or replace its backup software, DLT, tapes and offsite service. As part of the evaluation process they decided to use StorSimple and not purchase a new NetApp system. SharePoint storage will grow to 1TB without the need to buy separate BLOB externalization software and 5TB of desktop data will be stored on StorSimple.
Are you using virtualization and what cloud provider are you using?
The environment is almost totally virtualized using VMware. The virtualized applications run on a Hitachi SAN with all data stored on StorSImple. Oracle is co-located. Windows Azure is the chosen cloud and CPP is now moving to a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement.
What were the main reasons for choosing StorSimple?
Multiple CPP employees, including the CIO, initially saw StorSimple demonstrated at the local Microsoft Technology Center in Mountain View. StorSimple’s close relationship to Microsoft and its Microsoft partner of the year award were important in the decision process. The Windows and VMware Ready certifications gave CPP confidence in the enterprise fitness of the product.
It took four weeks from the initial demonstration to a decision for StorSimple.
What were the key lessons learned and benefits from using StorSimple?
“When you look at the product, when it is demonstrated, if you’re not convinced, there is something wrong. You have one box that allows you to replace your backup software, tape support infrastructure, offsite service and many wasted man-hours. StorSimple just works. It’s a no brainer.”
- Phillip DeMello, Director, Network Operations and Technical Support, CPP
|
