Bishop Bavin School has selected VERITAS Software`s BackupExec 8.5 as its backup solution. This private school has substantial data backup needs, running across a local area network (LAN) that provides connectivity to over 250 computers campus-wide, including the school`s accounting and administration department.
Nicholas Ellis, Head of Department of Information and Technology at Bishop Bavin School, says Internet access is available to each PC via a Diginet line that provides a data stream of 64k. "Bishop Bavin has seven IT labs where various grades of our IT curriculum are taught, with the Internet being used for educational research and communication."
The school has two e-mail servers, which ensure that each student has e-mail access on campus as well as at the adjacent hostels. "Internet access is available 24x7 for our pupils," adds Ellis.
The need for a dependable backup solution is evident from the amount of computing activity that takes place at the school. Accounting and administration programmes and files hold vital and confidential information that cannot be compromised.
Before installing BackupExec 8.5, Bishop Bavin had no official backup system in place. "As we expanded, we found ourselves structuring what can be described as a `corporate network`. Once that happened we realised in order for us to further protect our IT investment we required a reliable and secure backup solution."
VERITAS Premier Partner, First in Business Solutions, implemented the solution. First in Business Solutions MD, Roy Nattrass, says the school has three forms of backup: "Firstly information is stored on the server, then it is backed up on VERITAS BackupExec and, thirdly, the school keeps a hard copy of all necessary files."
The fact that First in Business Solutions is what Ellis calls "a one-stop-shop", ensured that Bishop Bavin entrusted the implementation and support of BackupExec to them. "As a VERITAS Premier Partner, First in Business Solutions, is familiar with the product and bring with them years of experience. This company`s VERITAS expertise greatly benefited the client," comments Nick van Noordwyk, regional director, Middle East and Africa at VERITAS Software.
Given the nature of educational institutions, the school has a large data repository that they cannot afford to lose, as is the case with its matric portfolios. Ellis explains that information on matriculants have to be kept for a period of five years. "Each pupil`s matric portfolio contains large chunks of data that deals with profiles, examination marks and basic contact details. Thus each pupil has a directory where all their information is stored, from the moment they join Bishop Bavin. It is vital that we are able to retrieve this information instantly."
VERITAS BackupExec offers an effective solution, which is especially beneficial for the accounts department of Bishop Bavin - a department that cannot afford to be offline for more than an hour. "Our accounts division transacts right through the day, whether it pertains to school fees or electronic banking. However, it also meant that whichever backup solution we selected, it had to be able to retrieve and backup data fast," adds Ellis.
Bishop Bavin is already considering a future upgrade, according to Ellis. "BackupExec 8.6 allows one to backup to CD or hard drive and even off-site. We like the growth path that VERITAS technology offers us," concludes Ellis.
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