Dow’s Global IT Infrastructure Modernization with Nasuni Hybrid Cloud Solutions
A first-hand account of upgrading to Nasuni’s IT infrastructure modernization capabilities from Dow’s IT Director, Tony Rubenacker.
October 22, 2024 | Tony Rubenacker
Dow is a global leader in materials science manufacturing committed to building a more sustainable world at all levels. From an IT standpoint, my team needed to upgrade our storage strategy to enable Dow’s operations to run efficiently. Managing a globally distributed IT infrastructure poses unique challenges, especially when transitioning from a legacy environment to a cloud-based system. But since implementing Nasuni, we’ve achieved great benefits that come with a hybrid cloud model.
Overcoming legacy limitations
Our journey began in an environment deeply entrenched in legacy technology. We were operating with traditional NetApp file systems and mainframes that, while reliable over the years, were leading to escalating costs and reduced operational flexibility. Our primary goals were to:
- Modernize our IT infrastructure to enhance agility.
- Reduce overhead costs significantly.
- Maintain, if not improve, the security measures we had in place.
- Ensure high performance in our global operations.
- Transform our IT setup without disrupting ongoing processes.
Evaluating enterprise hybrid cloud solutions
Before landing on Nasuni, my team evaluated an array of hybrid cloud solutions. Among those were Azure Files and the latest iterations of NetApp. Each presented unique integration hurdles, concerns around security, and the looming risk of potential downtime. Through a series of testing phases and pilot programs aimed at assessing each system under real-world conditions, Nasuni clearly distinguished itself from the rest including:
- Nasuni’s seamless integration capabilities meant that we could merge their technology with our existing infrastructure without any interruptions.
- Nasuni’s immutable snapshot feature on object files ensured our data would be protected, adhering to our stringent security protocols.
- The implementation process with Nasuni was smooth, avoiding the dreaded downtime that we feared.
Realizing the benefits of Nasuni
The implementation of Nasuni marked a monumental shift in our IT infrastructure. The process was smooth and highly effective, allowing us to transition from our legacy NetApp file systems to the advanced Nasuni appliances without causing any disruptions to our user base. Since making the shift, we have noticed some key improvements:
- Minimized Latency: The time it took for data to travel across our network dropped significantly, enhancing the user experience.
- Bolstered Security: With Nasuni, our data security protocols were strengthened, giving us greater peace of mind.
- Reduced Costs: The switch to Nasuni allowed for better resource allocation, reducing operational costs.
Looking at the future of hybrid cloud
Our IT infrastructure roadmap is filled with exciting advancements, particularly with the integration of Nasuni’s newer capabilities. One of the key features we’re eager to adopt is Nasuni IQ (NIQ), which promises to revolutionize how we handle file tracking and auditing across our global network.
Key benefits we anticipate with NIQ:
- Real-time visibility into user activity and volume consumption, to help monitor usage more effectively.
- Improved auditing processes, which will allow us to perform chargeback reporting and track system events across all our Nasuni Edge Appliances.
- Inspect and track unusual file activity to help us monitor spikes in activity that may warrant deeper analysis.
Transitioning to Nasuni’s hybrid cloud architecture has not just been about upgrading technology; it’s been about transforming our entire operational framework for better efficiency, security, and performance. For any organization contemplating a similar shift, I can confidently say that the benefits of moving to a hybrid cloud storage solution like Nasuni are profound and tangible. I encourage you to consider how these solutions could also enhance your organizational capabilities and strategic IT goals.