Infotech Virtualizes Servers for Storage Optimization

However, internally, it was quickly running out of storage space. Its existing storage resources couldn't support large projects and this hindered the timely deployment of those projects. Most of these projects were dynamic, demanding frequent changes. And that was a huge problem for B.L.V. Rao, CIO, Infotech Enterprises. "This massive amount of customer data and project information needs to be preserved, processed, analyzed and archived securely on heterogeneous platforms. There was an urgent need for storage optimization."

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Scaling up storage demanded higher capacity and speed. Rao decided to consolidate and virtualize all file servers and applications with a new server farm. Tiered storage architecture was deployed depending on data criticality and performance needs. "Customers and our project teams were both strict about timelines, otherwise project's kick-off and delivery dates are impacted. We were hoping that providing projects with more storage capacity would solve the problem," says Rao.

As with any new innovation, managing expectation with customer advocacy was crucial. "To earn the confidence of the customers we first provided them with interim solutions, while ensuring alternate plans were ready. IT came out with high-capacity disks for archiving data and also ensured that data is protected using compression and encryption, which brought additional value to our customers," says Rao.

The project has enabled the company save Rs 80 lakh per annum.  "Our ability to handle larger file sizes has won us 14 new customers this year. Project profits have improved by 12-16 percent and customers are a lot more satisfied than before," he says.

Also, data is better protected and more reliable. Today, the company has been able to successfully scale up projects with a more proactive and predictable approach within one week compared to three weeks.

The Person Behind It

B.L.V. Rao, VP-IT

Infotech Enterprises

Our ability to handle larger file sizes has won us 14 new customers this year. Project profits have also improved by 12-16 percent