Correos introduces HP virtualisation solutions to consolidate its IT platform
CORREOS has invested EUR 2.9 million to introduce Hewlett Packard virtualisation solutions facilitating the consolidation of its IT platform. This virtualisation reduces the number of servers needed, significantly improves their use and simplifies management.
The project envisages reducing 50 pct of the servers, as up to seven servers can be virtualised per physical machine.
CORREOS has chosen HP as the supplier to carry out this project. HP will be in charge of purchasing, installing and configuring the new hardware and software components to improve Windows application response times and safety. To this end, it has launched an operating system migration process to Windows 2003 and the SQL Server 2005 database, replacing Windows 2000 and SQL Server 2000.
With this system update, CORREOS improves its application performance and scalability (which allows productivity to be increased by leveraging the additional hardware), application availability and the safety of the different environments.
Likewise, the reduction in servers limits administration and operations costs and helps to free up physical installations which the postal operator can then use more efficiently. The consolidation and virtualisation software is also one of the most effective solutions for saving energy. Virtualisation solutions drastically reduce CO2 emissions, up to 80-90 pct, and energy consumption.
CORREOS has invested EUR 2.9 million to introduce Hewlett Packard virtualisation solutions facilitating the consolidation of its IT platform. This virtualisation reduces the number of servers needed, significantly improves their use and simplifies management. In turn, it boosts the network and makes it more reliable.
The project envisages reducing 50 pct of the servers, as up to seven servers can be virtualised per physical machine.
CORREOS has chosen HP as the supplier to carry out this project. HP will be in charge of purchasing, installing and configuring the new hardware and software components to improve Windows application response times and safety. To this end, it has launched an operating system migration process to Windows 2003 and the SQL Server 2005 database, replacing Windows 2000 and SQL Server 2000.
Hewlett-Packard HP ProLiant and HP BladeSystem technology has been used in this project, as these are servers which are especially suited for data centre virtualisation processes and enable unused resources to be used where they are most needed. In addition, there is a significant reduction in energy consumption.
With this system update, CORREOS improves its application performance and scalability (which allows productivity to be increased by leveraging the additional hardware), application availability and the safety of the different environments.
Reduction in costs and energy savings
Likewise, the reduction in servers limits administration and operations costs and helps to free up physical installations which the postal operator can then use more efficiently. The consolidation and virtualisation software is also one of the most effective solutions for saving energy. Virtualisation solutions drastically reduce CO2 emissions, up to 80-90 pct, and energy consumption.
Sector studies indicate that servers can save around 7,000 kilowatt-hour (kWh) for each virtualised server, which represents four tonnes of CO2 emissions a year. This saving is obtained with measures, among others, that regulate or turn the servers off when they are not being used and disconnect them during periods of inactivity, mainly at night and at weekends, when energy consumption falls by approximately 25 pct.
The Windows platform consolidation process will also enable enhanced IT solution performance and greater service continuity. This will be achieved by improving the Backup Centre (Data Process Centre designed to control the other main centre in the event of contingencies). It will improve the administration of the latter thanks to its standardisation and will manage the data more safely, as it is easier to protect this platform against unforeseen incidences or virus attacks.
This initiative, carried out together with Hewlett-Packard, strengthens the strategic line promoted by CORREOS to incorporate the latest IT systems and have a technological platform that meets the new requirements arising from the evolution of the postal sector.
