AUT tackles expanding data problems with new storage infrastructure solution

Objective
To deploy a robust storage solution to
protect AUT’s rapidly expanding valuable
intellectual property data bank
Approach
Conducted an open tender for a high tier
storage solution to replace ageing and
unreliable storage infrastructure
IT Matters
• Ensured backup could now be
completed before the start of
teaching day
• Allowed IT team first time oversight of
valuable data across random platforms
• Allowed IT team to deliver higher value
services to students
Business Matters
• Facilitated better Business Intelligence
(BI) and analytic capability
• Achieved 75% savings in power, cooling
and rack requirements
• Protected and retained previously at
risk valuable intellectual property
AUT tackles expanding data
problems with new storage
infrastructure solution
AUT deploys HPE 3PAR StoreServ storage to
protect valuable intellectual property
Challenge
Spectacular growth places heightened
focus on critical IT capability
The technology solution put in place by the
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
in the early 2000s was fit for purpose.
But as New Zealand’s fastest growing
university underwent considerable change,
the IT focus became a much more critical
part of the organisation. Roy Cullum,
director, ICT Infrastructure Services,
says: “We are a multimillion dollar business
which understandably leads to more focus
on IT because, although IT is an enabler
for students, it is also a cost.”
Storage volume at AUT was growing
between 40 and 50% annually as a
result of students, lecturers and
administrators creating documents.
That data, the university’s valuable
intellectual property, had to be protected
by copying, backing up and archiving
to tape.
Auckland University of
Technology, New Zealand’s
fastest growing university,
was experiencing annual
data growth of almost
50%. It’s ageing storage
technology was unreliable
with dierent technologies on
multiple platforms. Outdated
functionality was putting the
retention of AUT’s valuable
intellectual property at risk.
The HPE 3PAR, StoreOnce
and BladeSystem storage
and server solution overcame
the “nightmare” scenario.
Case Study