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EqualLogic’s Enterprise-Class iSCSI Storage Supports Chem-Dry Rapid Growth in UK

• EqualLogic iSCSI SAN Enables Storage Consolidation, Reducing Server Downtime and Improving Back-Up Efficiency for One of UK’s Leading Franchise Businesses
• EqualLogic partner, Infrasys manages seamless integration

LONDON, 30th October 2006 - Chem-Dry, one of the UK’s leading franchised fire and flood disaster restoration businesses and carpet upholstery cleaning networks, has implemented an iSCSI-based storage array from EqualLogic to manage data growth due to its aggressive expansion. The implementation of the EqualLogic PS300E was managed by long-standing reseller Infrasys.

Chem-Dry works with the world’s leading insurance companies to support claims resolution and seamless claims management.  The increasing volume of data produced by these claims and Chem-Dry’s 230 UK franchisees led the company to implement increasing numbers of direct-attached servers.  This method of storing data was proving costly to maintain, and the increase in servers meant an escalation of risk to the company in terms of points of failure and system downtime.

“The business was at the stage where it needed a robust, high- performance storage area network to manage its requirement for better performance, data integrity and security,” says Christian Brett, senior network administrator at Chem-Dry.

Chem-Dry turned to Infrasys, which recommended an EqualLogic PS Series storage area network (SAN) for reliable consolidation and protection of the company’s business-critical data.

Now Chem-Dry is eliminating direct-attached storage, increasing the efficient management of its servers, which now access data from a centralised data resource. The EqualLogic PS Series SAN includes snapshot capability, which dramatically reduces time to back-up, as Chem-Dry no longer needs to backup its entire data centre every night.

Additionally, the storage solution supports increasing data volumes, in case of growth, by allowing Chem-Dry to add further storage capacity in blocks of 7 terabytes, each of which is contained in a modular 3U disk enclosure.  Data can also be stored at remote locations for increased security and disaster recovery.

Happy with the success of the EqualLogic implementation, Chem-Dry is working with Infrasys to investigate the deployment of virtualisation technology to capitalise on VMware’s Infrastructure 3’s support for EqualLogic iSCSI.

Paul Klinkby-Silver, VP Europe for EqualLogic, concludes: “Fast growth companies such as Chem-Dry rely on having their data instantly available and securely backed up.  Implementing the right storage system really was business-critical for Chem-Dry. Now the business can ensure optimum productivity, superb reliability regarding data protection and security. Additionally, the business can add capacity as and when it requires.”

About EqualLogic
EqualLogic®, Inc., is the leading provider of intelligent, enterprise-class iSCSI storage area network (SAN) solutions that enable businesses – from Fortune 100 to small and mid-size organizations in more than 30 countries worldwide – to realize the economic benefits of consolidated, self-managing storage.  The EqualLogic PS Series of storage arrays, based on the company's patented peer storage architecture, is the industry's first automatic storage platform that delivers operational simplicity, comprehensive data management services and high data availability in a single, scalable pool of storage.  EqualLogic's headquarters are located in Nashua, New Hampshire.  For more information, please visit http://www.equallogic.com.

About Chem-Dry
Chem-Dry is one of the UK’s leading franchised fire and flood disaster restoration businesses and carpet and upholstery cleaning networks.  It currently has over 230 franchisees covering the UK with over 700 licences and has commercial arrangements with seven leading household insurers.  The business operates from a national control centre in Beverley, East Yorkshire.  http://www.chemdry.co.uk/index.html

About Infrasys
Infrasys is an independent company that specialises in providing essential IT management and support services to the telecommunications, defence, aerospace and automotive industries. As well as Griffin Internet, clients include Jaguar, NTL, British Aerospace and Land Rover. As EqualLogic’s UK and Ireland VAR, Infrasys often works alongside an existing IT department or IT provider. The company is based in Solihull, West Midlands. For more information about Infrasys, please visit www.infrasys.co.uk.


EqualLogic® is a registered trademark of EqualLogic®, Inc. Other marks belong to their respective owners.

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