Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 84 | Page 52

CASE STUDY with Nutanix , it was not until 2019 and 2020 that CSCS considered a partnership .
Nutanix Flow has proven invaluable , simplifying the management of the entire Nutanix ecosystem .
But the partnership faced a challenge , which was the lack of a reference implementation within the capital market . No entity had previously deployed Nutanix at the scale CSCS envisioned .
Transitioning to a new infrastructure , especially one as extensive as CSCS ’ s , was no small feat . Its legacy system was extensive , with an intricate infrastructure of over 70 physical servers . The migration task was to retain only the core server and transpose functionalities from the others to a more modern , hyperconverged infrastructure .
Beyond the operational challenges , data security was a concern . Given the scale of their investment and the strict regulations in Nigeria , ensuring data security was not just crucial , it was imperative .
“ Our vision was audacious : transitioning all our vital infrastructure onto Nutanix , barring one environment ,” says Nnadozie .
Implementing the solution
With the help of Nutanix , CSCS streamlined its sprawling infrastructure to about 50 optimised servers . The new environment included a multi-cloud disaster recovery environment that promised rapid recovery and ensured zero downtime .
The collaboration with Nutanix witnessed an overhaul of nearly 90 % of the systems , which were transitioned to just five Nutanix clusters , including a three-node cluster for its production environment and a two-node cluster for its disaster recovery environment , paving the way for a streamlined and futuristic operational module .
CSCS selected Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure , AHV Virtualisation , Prism Management , Nutanix Flow for its migration away from legacy systems . Nutanix now hosts the most vital components including CSCS database , data sets , pivotal applications , and essential APIs . CSCS has moved 90 % of its systems to the Nutanix clusters .
“ In our blueprint for technological metamorphosis , Nutanix was at the core ,” says Nnadozie . “ We are developing a multi-cloud disaster recovery system that can transition between on-premises and cloud operations , providing us flexibility . Incorporating Nutanix into our operations has brought transformative benefits to our company .”
Benefits
The financial benefits have become clear , with savings of approximately $ 450,000 . This arises from a combination of factors , including reduced licensing costs , data centre expenses , and less dependence on costly network devices ,
Unlike the uncertainties tied to traditional systems , the Nutanix solution provides scalability and transparency , allowing CSCS and its partners to develop and scale new digital products and solutions rapidly . The financial clarity extends to budget predictability . CSCS is also implementing a robust cloud strategy , moving from outdated backup systems to instantaneous replications .
Regarding workforce impact , the team can manage this advanced environment through comprehensive training without expanding its headcount , and remote management provides flexibility and supports worklife balance .
“ Our agility has positioned us as a strategic player in the capital markets . We are not merely providers but also innovators . Our ability to promptly roll out servers , replicate workloads , and introduce changes has accelerated our go-to-market strategies ,” says Nnadozie
Beyond operational expectations , Nutanix has aligned with the company ’ s growth strategy and addressed concerns while remaining transparent about future plans , potential gaps , or costs .
“ I have been in IT leadership for 20 years , and managing infrastructure has always been the biggest challenge . With Nutanix , that concern has taken a backseat . When I get a daily risk report from the Chief Risk Officer , infrastructure is hardly ever on it , and if it is , we have a solution ,” says Nnadozie .
The ability to manage multiple OEM suppliers , is another win for the team . So is the user-friendly interface of Prism and Prism Central , offering an insightful overview and a platform for strategic planning , giving the team insights , operational clarity , and peace of mind .
“ Nutanix is a central pillar in our strategies as we envision our future , and our production infrastructure will keep expanding with Nutanix ,” says Nnadozie .
According to CSCS , something that sets Nutanix apart is its support system . Using the Nutanix Ultimate License , it has access to premium support services . Furthermore ,
CSCS is looking to expand its hybrid cloud capabilities and is negotiating with cloud providers . Since Nutanix is the core of this strategy , it has made compatibility
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