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NHS Trust finds a cure for information management migraine
� Data deduplication backup system saves 120 hours of staff time per month
� New system provides improved security for confidential patient records
19 May 2009 - More than 120 hours of staff time per month is being saved at The Central Area of North Wales NHS Trust (formerly Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust), thanks to an improved data storage and information management system utilising data deduplication.
The Trust was grappling with its existing storage system, as it attempted to cope with the large amounts of data resulting from patient records spanning a network of six community hospitals, one acute in-patient mental health unit, a community mental health rehabilitation unit and three units for older people with mental illness.
Its IT infrastructure was struggling under the weight of large data volumes, making it slow and frustrating to access data while rapidly running out of storage space, and nightly data back-up was consuming a significant amount of staff time.
The Central Area of North Wales NHS Trust engaged the services of business back-up and storage experts RISC GROUP IT Solutions Ltd (formerly Clunk Click) to help them address their speed and capacity problems.
Working with leading UK distributor Zycko, RISC GROUP IT Solutions identified that the Trust required a sophisticated and secure system for storing and backing-up dental records, theatres management, patient records and imaging systems. It was decided that the most appropriate solution was ExaGrid�s disk-based backup with data de-duplication. This is a system designed to eliminate redundant data, by avoiding the need to save duplicate copies and only concentrating on the new �unique� chunks of data that result from any original files being adapted.
The ExaGrid scalable disk-based backup solution works with an organisation�s existing backup application and combines high quality SATA storage, compression and byte-level data deduplication with a virtualised GRID architecture. Its unique approach reduces the disk space required for backup by a ratio of up to 20:1, and delivers best-in-class scalability and unparalleled cost savings.
Andy Stott, IT Systems Manager at the North Wales NHS Trust said: �The new system allows us to keep four weeks of data on the system, so it is always available if we need to restore files. This in turn improves efficiency and saves hospital and IT staff valuable working hours.�
Since installing the ExaGrid system, the Trust has been able to significantly improve back-up times on each of the 15 Windows-based servers it protects with ExaGrid. For example, back-up times for one server have been reduced from 17 hours using disk-to-disk backup, to less than 12 hours using ExaGrid�s data deduplication, with almost instantaneous restores.
Alasdair Hill UK Sales Manager at RISC Group IT Solutions comments �The ExaGrid system combines last backup compression along with data de-duplication, which stores changes from backup to backup instead of storing full file copies. This is also an economical system with lower power requirements and rack space that, in the long term, will save money for the Trust.
David Galton-Fenzi, Group Sales Director of Zycko, said: �Due to the sensitivity of the data, the Trust not only required fast back-up speeds and extra storage space, but security was also of the utmost importance.
�Unlike using tapes for backing-up, which can be lost or stolen, the ExaGrid system, with an ability to lock files once they are on the grid, has resulted in a significant degree of confidence in the Trust�s data security.�
Andy Stott added: �Since installing the ExaGrid solution, the Trust�s data management system has successfully addressed inconsistencies, resulting in improved care and outcomes for patients. I believe the new data management system has made the process much simpler and more transparent for the Trust and its patients.�
-ENDS-
About Zycko:
Zycko is a value-add distributor of best-in-class convergent IT infrastructure solutions through a channel of resellers, systems integrators and service providers.
Zycko is privately held and has been profitable since inception in 2000, when the company�s original charter was to market data networking accessories to resellers as a wholesale distributor. Zycko now employs 250 staff, serving over 3,000 resellers around the world from twelve offices on four continents. The company enjoys an annual turnover of more than $180m.
Zycko�s provision of best-in-class IT products and logistics management is supported by true value-add professional services - such as pre-sales expertise, technical support, custom configuration, an industry leading accredited training program, and marketing support. These vital services and support enable our customers to quickly deliver profits and invest in new market opportunities, allowing them to differentiate in a crowded market. Zycko is the channel partner of choice.
Zycko�s strategic partner base includes world-class companies such as Avago, Asigra, Edgewater, Epicenter, Hitachi Data Systems, Intransa, Isilon, LSI, OnStor, Lifesize Powerdsine, Riverbed (News - Alert), Usystems, Zeus, Force10 and SNOM
About ExaGrid:
The ExaGrid system is a turnkey, plug-and-play solution that works with existing backup applications and enables faster and more reliable backups and restores. Customers report that backup time is reduced by 30 to 90 percent over traditional tape backup. ExaGrid�s patented byte-level data de-duplication technology and most recent backup compression, coupled with high-quality SATA storage, reduces the amount of disk space needed by a range of 10:1 to as high as 50:1, or more, resulting in a price that�s often less than traditional tape-based backup.
About RISC IT Solutions:
RISC GROUP IT Solutions works with organisations to explore and define the best technology solutions based on their business needs. The company�s aim is to source best of breed technologies to match the client�s requirements rather than simply matching the product portfolio to their needs, creating strategic solutions tailored to meet their current and future storage requirements.
RISC IT Solutions partner with the world�s leading storage software and hardware providers to offer high-performance, resilient, cost-effective storage solutions.
Risc Group IT Solutions is a division of Risc Group, one of Europe�s leading IT managed services organisations. Listed in compartment C on Eurolist of Euronext Paris, RISC GROUP is a public corporation.
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