Pepperl+Fuchs Selects Violin Flash Arrays Through Cristie

Violin Memory, Inc. has been selected by Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH, a large manufacturer of electronic sensors and the world leader for intrinsic safety and explosion protection technology, to enhance the performance of mission-critical applications, and consolidate applications and databases onto one storage platform.

Pepperl+Fuchs previously ran applications and databases on legacy disk-based storage systems and experienced growing performance issues as the business expanded. The organization reviewed its server and storage options for a new infrastructure. In addition to optimized application performance and scalability, Pepperl+Fuchs needed a solution to update its database to Oracle 11g R2.

Pepperl+Fuchs worked with partner Cristie Data Products to carry out a ‘proof of concept’ with Violin Memory and found that the Violin Flash Memory Array was the best fit regarding the price versus performance ratio, even without database or application tuning.

"Current disk media is made up of legacy technology with moving parts and spinning platters. Pepperl+Fuchs was unable to keep up with demanding multi-tenanted workloads, which resulted in slow response times and low throughput, and ultimately lost productivity and revenue," said Garry Veale, MD of Violin Memory EMEA. "Violin Flash Memory Arrays eliminate I/O limitations from the application by reading and writing data blocks within microsecond latency. Pepperl+Fuchs is now able to accelerate applications to their full potential, significantly improving productivity."

"The combination of low latency, high IOPS and high throughput made Violin Flash Memory Arrays a perfect fit for all workloads including the mixed performance requirements of our newly consolidated infrastructure," said Helmut Eckstein, manager for global IT/SIS of Pepperl+Fuchs. "Additionally, application consolidation and improved efficiency reduced our total infrastructure costs even further."

Pepperl+Fuchs is running Siebel CRM, WITRON Supply Chain Management and other critical Oracle databases on Violin Memory systems. Since implementation, the company has increased its business agility, lowered operational costs, and is prepared to address changes in the business environment. By removing resource limits imposed by legacy disk storage systems, Pepperl+Fuchs now has greater protection against saturation points and resulting consequences such as missed SLAs and system unavailability.

"This is a fast and stable system. Since installation, we haven’t experienced any disruption to service and performance is still unbelievable," said Eckstein.