University of Pisa Opts for Dell

• Dell EMC PowerStore’s end-to-end NVMe design delivered 6x performance improvements for scientific computing applications at the core of the University’s research efforts
• The university adopted Dell EMC PowerMax and experienced 5x faster data processing and 80% better performance for its essential applications, accelerating application and data access

The University of Pisa, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, has selected Dell Technologies, Inc., including PowerStore, to accelerate its infrastructure modernization efforts in the face of changing remote learning and research demands.

“As we transitioned to remote learning, we needed reliable, scalable technology to provide our 53,000 students and faculty with quick, easy access to critical data and applications at all times, from any location,” said Maurizio Davini, CTO, University of Pisa. “Dell EMC PowerStore is at the center of our IT modernization efforts because it delivers the high performance and availability needed to support teaching and research without any downtime or data loss. It’s a game-changer.“

The university uses PowerStore to store scientific computing applications for genomics and biology, plus chemistry, physics and engineering. PowerStore’s NVMe-based, adaptable design delivered a 6x performance improvement on previous storage infrastructure, making applications faster and easier to access.

PowerStore’s de-dupe and compression capabilities also have allowed the university to realize 3x capacity savings when compared to its previous storage infrastructure. PowerStore’s AppsON capability, which allows storage administrators to run applications directly on the storage array, has simplified application and data mobility throughout its four data centers spread across the city.

During 2020, Dell boosted the University’s all-flash storage capabilities, allowing it to support nearby Santa Chiara Hospital’s Covid-19 research while also supporting an AI-based chemistry research project and a multi-cloud shared service for administrative agencies, hospitals and cities in Tuscany.

“Performance and availability are key for institutions like The University of Pisa that pursue critical medical and biological research,” said Jeff Boudreau, president and GM, infrastructure solutions group, Dell. “With the latest Dell Technologies storage systems, students and faculty have immediate access to the data and applications that drive meaningful research forward, even as Pisa has instituted remote learning.“

The university’s storage infrastructure also includes a PowerMax storage array to support VDI and remote workstations and database workloads. With the product, the university has experienced 5x faster data processing and 80% better performance for its essential applications, allowing them to access key research and applications faster.

In order to support demanding AI and bare-metal HPC workloads, The University of Pisa also uses PowerScale all-flash storage as scalability and flexibility are important as the university expects its total amount of unstructured data to double within a year.

The university also benefits from working with Dell and its set of implemented and integrated solutions across its environment, including servers, workstations, desktops, laptops.