Modernization of Storage Systems: Focus on Performance and Security

Zweifel was looking for a solution for its outdated storage systems and found a partner in Axians, which offered comprehensive consulting and a modernization of the network infrastructure. Their goal was not only to ensure support but to provide real added value with increased availability, resilience, performance, and data protection. The solution included a modern active-cluster storage solution as well as the replacement of various network components.

Zweifel

Zweifel, based in Switzerland, is a respected manufacturer of high-quality potato chips. Over time, the company has built an excellent reputation for producing delicious snacks. The success story of Zweifel is an outstanding example of how innovation, strict quality control, and a customer-oriented mindset have led to an impressive success story in the food industry.
A decisive factor in the success of Zweifel lies in its strong customer focus. The company actively pursues the goal of thoroughly understanding its customers’ needs and developing innovative products based on them that appeal to the taste and preferences of consumers. This strong customer orientation has led to a loyal customer base and placed the company in a solid position within the food sector.

Facing the Challenge of Modernization

As a successful and modern company, Zweifel also continuously faces challenges in information technology. The following core challenges play a particularly central role:

  • IT Infrastructure Modernization: Updating outdated systems to remain technologically up-to-date and increase efficiency.
  • Data Protection and Management: Compliance with data protection regulations, especially when handling customer data, and implementing corresponding policies.
  • Data Analysis and Business Intelligence (BI): Utilizing data analysis and BI tools to support business decisions and gain insights.
  • IT Cost Management: Efficient management of the IT budget.
  • Cybersecurity: Protecting corporate and customer data from cyberattacks and data leaks.
  • Cloud Integration: Integrating cloud technologies for scalability and flexibility.
  • Compliance: Adhering to legal regulations and quality standards of the food industry.
  • Digitization of Business Processes: Automation to increase efficiency and reduce manual tasks.
  • Training and Further Education: Ensuring IT and employee competence for the effective use of the IT infrastructure.

Zweifel faced the challenge of replacing its outdated hybrid storage systems, which had reached the end of their lifecycle. In the course of a market analysis, the company came across Axians, which subsequently conducted a needs analysis and offered vendor-independent consulting. Axians presented various storage solution options with potential for optimizing the data center.

Axians offered a requirement-oriented, cost-effective, and established storage solution, including the replacement of various network components. Furthermore, the support concept with a central and collaborative solution provider also convinced us.
Marc Bischoff, Head of IT and Digitization at Zweifel

Project Overview

  • Initial Situation

    Thanks to its wide range of products and solutions from leading manufacturers in the areas of servers & storage as well as network & security, Axians was able to provide comprehensive advice to Zweifel, demonstrating how the storage and network infrastructure could be profitably developed further. The focus also shifted to the network component, especially regarding the modernization of storage connections and increasing overall performance.

    Through competent advice and competitive offerings, Axians was not only able to plan the replacement of storage systems but also to initiate and implement the modernization of part of the network infrastructure.

  • Objective

    For Zweifel, it was crucial not only to acquire a standard solution for hardware and software support in the next lifecycle period.
    “We evaluated various performance parameters of different providers, manufacturers, and solution options. Points such as system performance, availability, resilience, and data protection were at the forefront.” Marc Bischoff, Head of IT & Digitalization at Zweifel

  • Solution

    In both data centers, a modern active-cluster storage solution was set up. These clusters were connected to redundant switches using redundant connections. The switches were configured as clusters for additional redundancy and performance, while also enabling the implementation of a new high-performance backbone in both data centers.

  • Implementation

    After completion of the sales process, the project was handed over to the Engineering department of Axians.
    “In a focused kick-off meeting, we thoroughly discussed the various expectations and outlined the exact roadmap. Subsequently, we visited all locations to create the low-level design and clearly define and assign tasks. Once the new components arrived, were checked, and prepared, the implementation, migration, and integration of the solution could be carried out according to plan and smoothly. The project was successfully completed by dismantling the existing infrastructure.”
    Mike Petztet, Key Account Manager at Axians.

    Axians’s General Service

    “We made sure not only to acquire a new solution but also to ensure that we receive professional and comprehensive support throughout the entire lifecycle. In addition to the relevant partner support services, which guarantee hardware replacement and software support from the manufacturer, we have also made an agreement for Axians General Service. Marc Bischoff, Head of IT & Digitalization at Zweifel

    Through this service, Axians provides a direct, centralized, and German-speaking point of contact in close geographical proximity with firmly agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This contact actively accompanies and supports. Zweifel can thus benefit from the extensive experience of Axians and always rely on a competent contact who knows the infrastructure and needs of the company precisely, thereby providing comprehensive added value.

Results

Thanks to a coordinated approach with holistic solution orientation and a thorough needs analysis at the beginning of the project, critical analysis and consideration of solution options from both technical and economic perspectives during the solution finding phase, as well as a clear definition of expectations in the implementation phase, the project was successfully and timely executed.
Through the introduction of the new solutions in collaboration with Axians as a technology partner, Zweifel benefits from various advantages:

  • Ensuring the new lifecycle through the implementation of a modern solution with corresponding support service level agreements (SLAs).
  • Enhancing performance through the use of powerful platforms with modern connectivity options.
  • Increasing availability through clustering features.
  • Providing a direct, competent, local, and German-speaking point of contact who knows both the environment and the needs of Zweifel and actively accompanies them in support requests and further developments.

The implementation of the solutions proceeded efficiently, cooperatively, and successfully. The final tests in terms of performance and availability met our high standards. Marc Bischoff, Head of IT & Digitalization at Zweifel