Payroll Company

challenge

In late 2020, IBM announced “End of Support” for the ProtecTIER virtual tape library (VTL) that our client used to backup the IBM i environment running its HR and payroll application.

The business urgently required a cost-effective replacement to ensure ongoing protection and compliance for its valuable data.

Given the critical nature of payroll to its customers, our client needed a non-disruptive migration to the new system.

To take advantage of the latest IBM storage and archiving solutions, they also needed a partner to assist with a smooth migration path that realised benefits and avoided business disruption.

SOLUTION

CSI introduced a new virtual tape library (VTL) for IBM i backups by creating a Red Hat Linux LPAR to run a software-based VTL solution writing to high-performance all-flash storage.

By leveraging the client’s existing Enterprise Pool of IBM Power systems and FlashSystem storage, CSI provided the new VTL solution with an efficient data centre footprint and extremely flexible compute capacity.

The VTL uses four IBM Power cores to run backups, but otherwise, all compute resources are available for other functions, such as application development and a Red Hat OpenShift containerisation proof of concept.

CSI has also developed a service to migrate the data from the existing VTL system without needing additional costly software toolsets.

outcomes

The client’s rigorous data protection needs are met by pooled utility resources – backups are available without the cost of dedicating compute capacity.

With the new Power VTL solution, when backups are not running, unused resources are made available to other systems.

As a software-based solution, the VTL also sidesteps the growth limitations of physical appliances.

By avoiding any non-IBM appliances, the CSI solution also protects any future migration from the current on-premises estate to the IBM Cloud.

Learn about IBM Power VTL