Large public utility enlists Cerium’s help to deploy Dell VxRail systems and keep them healthy, up to date and performing optimally.
Because public utilities are part of our critical infrastructure, they must maintain strict compliance with stringent regulatory mandates. Both physical and logical security threats have increased dramatically in recent years, and regulatory requirements reflect this risk. With the convergence of IT and operational technologies and increasing automation, utilities must ensure that their IT infrastructure meets the highest standards for security.
A large public utility in the Pacific Northwest needed to upgrade hardware and install new Dell VxRail clusters. The clusters provided compute and storage resources to support operations in the utility’s remote sites. The utility was concerned about the reliability of the aging hardware with only singular redundancy.
The utility had been working with a vendor on the initiative but did not have confidence in that vendor’s ability to complete the project. The utility’s engineers overseeing the project turned to Cerium for help. The Cerium team provided the depth of expertise to ensure the success of the deployment and keep the Dell VxRail environment performing optimally.
A large public utility in the Pacific Northwest needed to upgrade hardware and install new Dell VxRail clusters. The clusters provided compute and storage resources to support operations in the utility’s remote sites. The utility was concerned about the reliability of the aging hardware with only singular redundancy.
The utility had been working with a vendor on the initiative but did not have confidence in that vendor’s ability to complete the project. The utility’s engineers overseeing the project turned to Cerium for help. The Cerium team provided the depth of expertise to ensure the success of the deployment and keep the Dell VxRail environment performing optimally.
Solution: Data Center, Professional and Managed Services
The public utility’s network is more complex than most business networks, with additional layers due to security and compliance requirements. Dell VxRail can enhance security through the hardware-based security of Dell servers, VMware’s robust virtualization security and additional security features integrated within the VxRail hyperconverged infrastructure platform. However, the VxRail solution must be designed, configured and deployed properly to take full advantage of these capabilities.
As a longtime partner of both Dell and VMware, Cerium has the knowledge, experience and certifications to maximize the value of the VxRail solution. Cerium’s project management expertise also came into play. The Cerium team coordinated the deployment across multiple projects and sites and completed it much faster and with fewer issues than the utility’s previous vendor.
The utility is also taking advantage of Cerium’s Assure managed services offering to keep the systems healthy and secure. Cerium Assure Services for Data Center gives the utility access to a lead engineer who provides technical oversight and expert guidance. Cerium also performs health monitoring and quarterly checkups on the Dell VxRail equipment and keeps the environment up to date.
As a longtime partner of both Dell and VMware, Cerium has the knowledge, experience and certifications to maximize the value of the VxRail solution. Cerium’s project management expertise also came into play. The Cerium team coordinated the deployment across multiple projects and sites and completed it much faster and with fewer issues than the utility’s previous vendor.
The utility is also taking advantage of Cerium’s Assure managed services offering to keep the systems healthy and secure. Cerium Assure Services for Data Center gives the utility access to a lead engineer who provides technical oversight and expert guidance. Cerium also performs health monitoring and quarterly checkups on the Dell VxRail equipment and keeps the environment up to date.
Results: Good Communication Builds Trust
During a previous data protection project with the public utility, Cerium encountered some challenges. However, Cerium President Roger Junkermier personally addressed those challenges, reaffirming Cerium’s dedication to customer satisfaction. Junkermier emphasized that Cerium’s size and market focus made it an ideal partner for the utility — a point that resonated with the utility’s engineer. Ultimately, Cerium’s proactive approach and tailored solutions highlighted their suitability as a long-term partner.
Since then, the utility has worked with Cerium on several projects and has received exemplary service. Cerium even helped the utility negotiate a beneficial agreement with a software vendor that has saved the utility a significant amount of money. The Dell VxRail project was a resounding success, and the utility plans to continue working with Cerium on future initiatives.
Since then, the utility has worked with Cerium on several projects and has received exemplary service. Cerium even helped the utility negotiate a beneficial agreement with a software vendor that has saved the utility a significant amount of money. The Dell VxRail project was a resounding success, and the utility plans to continue working with Cerium on future initiatives.
