IUT de Valence saves time and money with VM Explorer. The institute automates the backup and replication processes of more than 30 machines

IUT de Valence needed a cost-effective and reliable solution for the backup and recovery of its virtualized servers.

Managing a complex technological environment

IUT’s Information Technology (IT) department develops, secures, and maintains multiple student­-facing applications (personal storage space, email addresses, an intranet, and a web sharing platform) as well as various internal management applications (administration, human resources, and tests and scores). With five staff members, the department supervises a complex technology environment comprising over 450 onsite computers, 15 servers, 15 switches, and numerous personal laptops and devices brought on campus.

By using programs such as VMware ESXi, it would be possible for multiple applications and operating systems to be hosted on a single physical server, multiplying computing and storage capabilities at a low cost. However, virtualizing its infrastructure presented IUT with new technical and cost challenges.

Testing and learning with ease

To address its data backup requirements, IUT first implemented VM Explorer in February 2010. The most immediate benefit of the software was the ease with which Chechat and his team were able to begin using it. They were particularly pleased to be able to download and test a free version of VM Explorer before committing to purchasing a full license.

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