Coventry University deploys cloud-first portfolio

UK-based higher education institution, Coventry University, has selected NetApp to deliver an entirely cloud-first portfolio to meet an ever-increasing demand on storage and the university’s 2030 digital strategy. The solution, powered by NetApp ONTAP data management software, is comprised of NetApp FAS Storage Arrays, Cloud Insights, Cloud Volumes ONTAP and FabricPool.

Higher education has faced a turbulent time in the last 18 months, with face-to-face teaching replaced by virtual settings, with term times curtailed and graduation ceremonies postponed or cancelled. Yet, in the face of these challenges, crucial University research studies have continued, and at Coventry University staff and students have needed to deliver projects such as high-speed video editing, large data research projects and cross departmental resource sharing – all which require significant data storage capacity.

Coventry needed a flexible, scalable solution to move its core infrastructure storage operations to the cloud, but was challenged by legacy technology that no longer met the cloud capabilities the university required. The solution needed to be manageable in a multi-cloud environment and enable the storage of research data in a variety of formats.

NetApp worked alongside its technology partner Softcat to identify Coventry University’s requirements. Through their in-depth knowledge of NetApp’s technology, Softcat were able to propose a solution which maximised the effectiveness of this technology within the University’s infrastructure, and facilitated the partnership.

The solution was the delivery of a hybrid, multi-cloud environment that ensured cost optimisation for the university, with the ability to choose the right cloud service at the right price and drive competitive offers to ensure the university has access to the best services available. With an increased demand for data, the university knew that agility would be key to cost reduction now and in the future. NetApp’s data fabric technology, FabricPool, on premise and CVO, in the Cloud, has enabled Coventry to automate the tiering of data to low-cost object storage tiers either on or off premise. Unlike manual tiering solutions, FabricPool and CVO together reduce the total cost of ownership by automating tiering cold data to lower the cost of cloud and on-premise storage.

With increased pressure for universities to protect data following the increased cybersecurity threats to the educational sector, security must be a crucial consideration when deploying new technologies. For Coventry, every decision is security-first. With the deployment of a cloud-based service, NetApp ONTAP data management software which powers NetApp FAS has enabled the university to build a storage infrastructure that is simple and secure – from data encryption, to the transportation and secure storage of information.

With NetApp and Softcat’s support, the deployment of a scalable, flexible solution that can work at scale to support the university’s data demands underpins the university’s 2030 digital plan. With the goal to become a purely digital enterprise, the cloud-first solution will help deliver teaching and learning at a global level – with its Rwanda site being the latest to open internationally.

Steve Rogers, Chief Technology Officer at Coventry University, shared, “We spent a lot of time considering the options available to us and what was best for the university. NetApp’s innovative offering to move our storage to the Cloud with modern features unique to NetApp and not available anywhere else in the market, made them the perfect partner to modernise the University’s vital data storage. From the first time we engaged with NetApp and saw the solution, we just knew it was the right solution for us – not just for today, but to support the University’s Cloud storage strategy into the future.”

According to Chris Greenwood, NetApp UK&I managing director, “Coventry University is paving the way for innovation in the education sector with the adoption of a cloud-first data management solution. As the university continues to support students in the delivery of cutting-edge research, we are delighted to support the University to meet its data demands.”