A database platform that streamlines administration and costs while enabling rapid, self-service database deployment.
Leveraging Nutanix Database Service for Feature-rich, Consumption-based Database as a Service
A large global retailer needed to find a database management solution that could keep costs closely aligned to actual usage while supporting rapid deployment for a variety of database applications.
HPE GreenLake with Nutanix Database Service enables a pay-per-use model, dramatically improved deployment times, and reduced need for niche technology specialists. Rapid access also helps reduce data storage needs, allowing for more efficient resource employment.
This database service helps streamline administration and combat sprawl. The solution eliminates the need for large upfront capital investments, allows for predictable monthly costs, and ultimately brings down the total cost of ownership for enterprise-grade database capabilities.
“By reducing database deployment times from several weeks to a few hours, HPE GreenLake with Nutanix Database Service for databases has driven a 2-3x reduction in total data storage needs through eliminated redundancies.”
Challenge: Finding a More Flexible Database Platform
This large international retailer operates hundreds of stores across the globe, with high-level IT operations and datacenters for each large region managed from a single central facility. Database infrastructure historically relied on three-tier virtualization, which had begun to drive bloated operational costs and bog down deployment times. The existing implementation also relied on legacy AIX technologies requiring specialized skillsets that were difficult and expensive to source.
IT leaders wanted to find a replacement that could provide rapid database deployment and de-siloed database management alongside a more flexible financing model. The ideal solution needed to:
- Support a variety of database applications employed in the retail organization, including Oracle™, PostgreSQL™, SQL Server™, Microsoft SQL Server™, and MongoDB™.
- Reduce deployment times and enable self-service while reducing the need for specialized technologists.
- Offer consumption-based infrastructure and a powerful database platform as a single integrated service.
Solution: A Service Model That Streamlines Database Management and Deployment
HPE GreenLake with Nutanix Database Service for databases fulfilled all of the requirements discussed above. This platform can match the cloud’s flexibility while retaining the control and compliance benefits that come with onsite infrastructure. The solution appeared to be a strong fit after a proof-of-concept demonstration. The client decided to move forward, and the new platform was implemented within six months of the completion of the POC.
Instead of uncertain upfront capital investments, HPE GreenLake with Nutanix Database Service now allows this retailer to manage database costs through a single monthly bill from HPE, all while only paying for what they actually use. And databases can be rapidly deployed (often with a single click) for the full range of database applications employed in the organization. Users can do so using an intuitive portal that doesn’t require a specialized database administrator for routine requests.
This integrated solution dramatically streamlines management, with a powerful centralized management tool for patching, backup, and HA/DR all baked into the platform. In addition, Nutanix’s integrated Red Hat Ansible automation capabilities enable seamless scaling with maximum agility.
Results: Faster Database Deployment and More Efficient Resource Usage
In the past, deploying a new database could take developers weeks, requiring actions to be performed by several different groups throughout the organization. Because this lead time was so long, developers would often keep extra copies of commonly needed databases. In some cases, stored copies included out-of-date data.
Now, developers can deploy full databases in around two hours, using a portal without assistance from a database specialist.
With Era, complete projects will be delivered faster, while also driving more efficient resource usage. Developers don’t need to store extra copies of databases to ensure timely access, and they can seamlessly access fully up-to-date data. The client expects more efficient resource usage to drive substantial long-term savings in database licensing costs.
Next Steps: A Successful Implementation With the Potential to Provide Even More Organizational Value
With the flexibility of the solution quickly proving its value in US, European, and Asian datacenters, the client organization is considering expanding this solution to additional global operations hubs.
With streamlined cloning and migration capabilities, this solution is also a natural fit for expanding these capabilities to retail sites, which maintain small ROBO (remote office/branch office) data centers. Discussions are currently ongoing to expand the solution to these additional locations.
The end of lifecycle for their Oracle 12C deployments represents a looming disruption. Potentially requiring the migration of 1000+ databases, this work would necessitate a massive DBA hiring effort if conducted manually for legacy architecture. Nutanix Database Service’s built-in automation capabilities will assist in delivering these migrations quickly, painlessly, and with minimal need for additional overtime hours.