Shopzilla Deploys Panzura Cloud Storage

Panzura, Inc., provider of cloud storage solutions, announced that Shopzilla, Inc. has deployed Panzura Alto Cloud Controllers to manage the regular data backup functions of multiple datacenters. Shopzilla chose the Panzura solution because of its capability to scale out multiple controllers in distributed geographic locations to form a single unified file system.

Shopzilla, Inc., which manages a portfolio of online shopping brands including Bizrate, Beso, Shopzilla, TaDa, PrixMoinsCher, and SparDeinGeld, has been searching for a solution that would allow it to consolidate the backup and DR functions from multiple locations into a single, enterprise-wide backup. Running disk-to-disk-to-tape backup in each geographically distributed datacenter can be very labor intensive, and the limited datacenter staff has more pressing priorities. In addition, multiple disparate backups require a larger storage infrastructure, as a great deal of data is duplicated across each location.

"As a premier online shopping destination, our priority is to ensure complete customer satisfaction across all of our brands. Yet our existing disk and tape backup systems in our different locations were creating increasing demands on IT staff cycles, and were not allowing us the efficiency or flexibility we needed," said Burzin Engineer, VP of Technology at Shopzilla, Inc. "The Panzura solution allowed us to gain significant efficiencies by consolidating these individual backup processes into a single, centrally managed disk-to-tape backup in our main Los Angeles datacenter. Additionally, we can utilize the global deduplication functionality of the Panzura Cloud File System to further reduce the amount of storage hardware, and cost, of our backup and DR initiatives."

Panzura Alto Cloud Controllers are deployed in each of three datacenters in North America, acting as the primary mount point for the backup function of each location. Data is written locally to the Panzura devices on a regular backup schedule, and each location in turn writes this data to the Panzura Alto Cloud Controllers in the main Los Angeles datacenter. The Panzura cloud controllers perform deduplication of the data, reducing the total storage requirements. At a pre-determined interval, a single tape backup is produced from the consolidated, deduplicated data on the Los Angeles Panzura unit. Moreover, each Panzura box maintains a local cache of the data, allowing for recovery of mission-critical data in the event of a primary storage failure.

In addition to increasing the efficiency of IT operations at each location, the Panzura solution has allowed the elimination of legacy storage hardware from the backup process. This results in a reduction in both capital and operational expense for Shopzilla, and allows the re-deployment of storage hardware for future primary storage needs.

"We look forward to working with Panzura to further improve the efficiency of our storage infrastructure," Mr. Engineer added. "We’re very excited to see the early results that they’ve allowed us, and are beginning to explore new opportunities to utilize the product."