Revlon (NetApp FASx)

If you happen to visit a data processing center of company Revlon, Inc. in Oxford, Northern Carolina, the USA, pay special attention on how infrastructure is organized. Only two racks contain about 3.6  PB of data and 800  virtual servers which in a second perform on average 14 000 transactions arriving from systems from around the world also provide uninterrupted work during 99.9999 % of time. When visitors come into our DPC, they ask: "And all this?". Yes, all this that is required for ensuring work all system.^[1]</p>

Several years ago the picture was absolutely other. The business intelligence was she is buried more than in two tens separate schedule systems business resources (ERP). Considerable expenses on data management did not allow to our IT department to buy all necessary new applications. In  buildings there was even no Wi-fi so chemists had to run to and fro between mixing tanks and production management systems, that regulate structure of products.

In this overview we will tell how we managed to transform IT infrastructure of Revlon company, having created a private cloud and having given to the basic to data global structure. At the same time we turned IT infrastructure from "a stick in wheels" business in  the driving force which became a basis for flexible strategic planning, development, production, warehousing и&bbsp;поставок products and also for accomplishment of business operations. Now not people  work for systems, and systems work for  people.

We executed conversion for three stages: creation of a private cloud, organization of own system of disaster recovery (DR) and creation global model of basic data.

 

Stage 1. Creation of a private cloud

We began conversions with resolute change of the existing IT environment. In framework of this process new were appropriated to all devices and systems The IP addresses, and then the private cloud was constructed. The guideline at creation of a cloud computing architecture there was a simplicity: select one supplier of DWH, servers, networks and solutions for virtualization and one DNS/DHCP server, image servers and image of the desktop systems.

As the system provider of storage and data management we selected

NetApp, having unrolled Netapp FAS6000 and FAS3000 systems in the main center data processings and FAS2000 systems in branches worldwide. If we stopped on the environment of data storage consisting of solutions of different suppliers, we should spend resources for the organization them the coordinated work. But now we can spend the saved time on development of new applications for a business intelligence.

After deployment of working infrastructure we virtualized servers and  the desktop systems, having begun with applications with the low level of risk, such as printing and file servers, then passed to applications at the level of divisions also finished with such crucial applications as ERP  and  resource planning of production. Today more than 530 applications (97 %  of a total quantity) and all desktop systems represent files (virtual machines) working at the VMware platform vSphere® and stored in  Netapp FAS6040 and FAS6240 systems with high readiness level. Our system uninterruptedly works with 99.9999 % of time, what means less than 13  seconds of idle times a year. The private cloud processes  15,000  transfers of applications monthly.

The systems of Netapp also store interface SAP® software; transactions of a system Electronic Data Interchange; Microsoft® SharePoint® Portal Server; mail the agent used by the Lotus Domino IBM platform; DNS/DHCP servers; Software for accounting time; applications under UNIX®, including databases and add-on modules SAP-; Oracle® E-Business Suite Financials; and also dozens of others critically applications, important for business, from Oracle, such as systems of Revlon for ensuring production and solution of legal issues.

Virtualization of servers allowed us to execute consolidation, having reduced the number of servers for 56 %  — with 160 to 70. Reduction of used the areas allowed us to reduce total electricity consumption on 72 %. In our environment reservation is not required. We use only one the channel to the server as if we lose the server, applications "move" on other server in a cloud.

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Stage 2. Own system of disaster recovery

Then we raised an investment payback in technology of Netapp, having implemented own system of disaster recovery. This solution was repaid all only in seven months.

As servers are files now, we can expedite replication of each working server on Netapp FAS3070 system located on our DR node, using at the same time technology of replication NetApp SnapMirror®. Weekly  30 TB is given to DPC of disaster recovery changes.

At four of our plants data processing centers were replaced by reduced the versions representing the racks taking twice less places with  several Netapp FAS2020 and FAS2050 systems, the serial switch and  server. We like to say that passed a way from two racks with  a chaotic heap of contents to a half of a rack, contents to which provides by 10  times higher performance and costs    8 times less. To similarly main data processing center, the reduced DPCs  execute replication of data on a node of abnormal recovery  using NetApp SnapMirror software.

We quarterly check the DR system, creating in DPC of abnormal recovery the copy of all data of Revlon company  — or its branch in  a certain country, any node or separate application. Solution underwent serious check in  2011 when the fire destroyed considerable part of the plant in Venezuela. At old infrastructure recovery it would cost millions of dollars and took one-two weeks during which employees would rush to and fro with the suitcases typed by magnetic tapes with backup copies. Thanks to the solution DR of NetApp we in only one hour forty five minutes recovered the factory system and the systems of electronic document flow and  order placement in DPC of disaster recovery and selected to the employees virtual desktops that next day they could work at home or at offices of our business partners. We would recover the worker process even quicker if our engineer of a storage system was not in holiday with  the switched-off cell phone.

We took the same actions to guarantee continuity business processes during Hurricane Sandy. When Hurricane Sandy promptly moved in the direction of New York in  November, 2012, we used technology of replication NetApp SnapMirror for transfer of transactions from DPC in New York and New Jersey in DPC in Northern Carolina. On it left all hour. When we were convinced that production sites did not suffer from a hurricane, we transferred files on  network back to initial data processing centers.

Stage 3. "Taming" of large volumes of data with the help of model of the main data of Revlon company

Having constructed a private cloud and infrastructure of DR, we switched efforts on  conversion of large volumes of data (about 3.6 PB) also turned them  from  an excessive burden in a valuable business resource. Revlon company monthly traces 660 million commodity units, and work of ours IT departments consists in transformation of these data into a factor for acceptance solutions. Earlier development of new applications for a business intelligence it was necessary push the background and wait until we increase storage system volume data, we will create the mirrored copy of working databases and we will execute transactions extraction, conversions and loadings (ETL). All this did not promote flexibility business.

We came to unique solution of the problem of large volumes of data, having created global structure of basic data which provides automatic sorting, the organization and structuring all data of Revlon company, from whatever point of the globe they arrived. Each 15  minutes infrastructure of Revlon takes the new data  — as structured so and not having structure  — from all global systems. Services Microsoft Data Quality Services (DQS) make cleaning and profiling of these data, normalizing them without overhead costs of ETL.

Having developed model of basic data, we created more than 20 parent sets data, volume in several terabyte everyone. Now development engineers and  testers use Netapp FlexClone® technology for instant clonings of these data sets also make the analysis in several hours, but not weeks. The Netapp Data ONTAP® operating system creates these clones without any additional costs on storage. Memory is required only for records of new data that excludes the expenses which are usually connected with maintenance copies of databases. After use of clones developers can or define them  on permanent cloning or to destroy.

Simplicity of creation of clones without overheads became for Revlon company reformative factor. Extraction of data and experiments with them anything  do not stand. The systems of Netapp create additional benefit, just rotating hard drives.

We used clones for testing of large-scale applications, change managements, creations of "gold" images and even modeling of influence different the politician of storage of e-mail on memory requirements. We we treat large volumes of data differently, than most the companies. In traditional model of the application are in the center, they are surrounded by big arrays data, and the task of IT department consists in accomplishment operatsiyetl. In  our model large volumes of data are placed in the center, and applications surround them   (Fig. 1).

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The flexibility  is green light for business

Combination of infrastructure of Netapp, our global model of basic data and  the solutions providing mobility allows us to use technology as competitive advantage. We like to say that we removed infrastructure from a way of business so that now business does not even notice it. We can provide our set of applications on any device in any point world.  But also, we accelerated use of new applications on average for 70%.

The evidence of this newly found flexibility is the fact that in 2012 to year the IT department of Revlon started 425% more projects, than in 2007 to year, having reduced project development time for 70% and having completed 99.6% of all projects  in time and with observance of the budget. It is our main statistics, and it in big degree is result of the saving of time caused tools of analytics and automation of services from Netapp company. For example, waiting time of selection of the server was reduced from 6–8  weeks to 15  minutes. Our business users never should wait for servers, connection or selections of resources of DWH. If to any division it is necessary to check the new application in work, we, as a rule, are in time prepare it even before the end of a meeting, and it is possible to us.

Effect of achievement of flexibility in Revlon company:

• Optimization of a supply chain. The first application, when which developing we took all advantage of global model of basic data, was the global status report and the movement of stocks with  opportunities of detailed analysts. The staff of supply divisions can address this application with the tablets and smartphones. About 80 % of users of Revlon want everything only to have key indicators of performance at the order, as this information allows them to make decisions on a work progress. Now they should not spend time for the addressing the database of SAP or Oracle for receiving often required indicators.

• Increase in production efficiency. To chemists of Revlon company any more not it is necessary to get on added short flights of stairs on mixing tanks for removal indications from wall computers. Now they use iPad® tablets with customized applications for setup of the prescription system which is in DWH of Netapp. Lack of need to go to office for adjustment of structure products allows to save materials and to avoid production idle times.

• Automation of selection and packaging. Warehouse workers do not pack any more the shipped goods on the basis of paper documents which could appear outdated. Now they look at the monitor installed on the piler and see where it is necessary to go what goods to take away and where to send it. Reduction time for packaging and shipment of goods from a warehouse improves turnover of warehouse stocks. And thanks to the accuracy of actions of warehouse workers we avoid financial sanctions from suppliers for wrong shipments.

• Mobility. Infrastructure of Netapp helps us even with achievement correct work-life balance. For example, employees finance division with which it is necessary to work intensively at the end of the month, making reports, can address the virtual desktop systems, located in DWH of Netapp, directly from the house, from iPad tablets. And employees IT departments can change a configuration of the server or move data in current of business week that saves them from need to work  during the week-end.

• The updated support service. In  2012 IT department monthly processed  239% more addresses to a support service, than in  2007. It became possible thanks to reduction of time for management data storage. We resolve 85 % of issues at the first address, and it rather rare indicator. Besides, we noticed sharp reduction number of complaints to  problems and, respectively, significant increase the number of addresses of the employees wishing to execute more effectively the work.

As a result infrastructure of Netapp and our model of basic data turned large volumes of data from a heavy burden in competitive advantage and even allowed to cut down expenses. In general for the last two years  the IT department helped to improve financial results of business more than for 70 million US dollars thanks to economy and cost reduction. Besides, we practically reduced to zero additional expenses and waiting time of resources for experimenting. Now we are limited only by own imagination.

All staff of Revlon company benefited from new approach to work with data. They can obtain information necessary for effective work, in any moment where they were.

As we achieved it

Infrastructure of storage systems of Netapp allowed us to implement the innovative solutions without additional expenses on operation of networks, servers and DWH and also without additional costs of time of personnel.

We  were guided by the following reasons.

• We can select resources, without using physical disks — advantage the systems of flexible selection of resources from Netapp company. Coefficients uses of working and reserve storage systems make 120 % and 1500 % respectively.

• Process automation reduced manpower requirement. For example, means of the unified management of Netapp OnCommand® provides uniform the interface for management of DWH, selection of resources and security. NetApp Workflow Automation the politician creates infrastructure of data on a basis, which we use to create or change workflows. We we apply software of Netapp OnCommand Insight to planning of requirements to capacity and for ensuring compliance of levels of availability and  performance to the expected service level. Earlier for data storage system management 10  people were required. Now all are surprised when they hear that only one the employee manages eighteen global DWH with several thousand spindles.

• We reduced data storage cost thanks to use of technology NetApp Flash Pool™, being a part of the Netapp Data ONTAP operating system. The Flash Pool technology allows us to combine solid state drives and rather inexpensive disks SATA in one "the hybrid unit". Adding solid state drives in the unit increased performance strongly the loaded disks SATA ten times that is comparable with a performance consistently connected SCSI disks at much lower costs. We managed to achieve similar results with NetApp Flash Cache™. We could postpone purchase of the new equipment until when it is possible make a budget cycle and do engineering work on search of the best solutions.  In principle, setup does not require special efforts. For a moment writing of this article we completed software testing of Netapp Flash Accel™ which allows to use rather inexpensive disks SATA, reducing time expectations up to  50 %. It gives to our scientists and the staff of sales office an opportunity to quickly obtain the data necessary for creation and sale new products.

Our business users have a continued access to data even in time system scheduled maintenance thanks to a possibility of smooth operation in to the Netapp Data ONTAP operating system. We do not need to plan idle times any more for accomplishment of maintenance and caching, because technology of replication NetApp SnapMirror allows to transfer any virtual server, including ERP and other crucial applications, from one data processing center in another. At upgrade of the server hardware we can transfer the virtual machines continuing to work on the DR node, and  upon termination of upgrades return back them. Specific example: in   2012 we without idle times replaced a core of a global network  of data storage of Revlon and the server DPC.

We also apply the technologies which are built in solutions of Netapp to data protection safety, such as NetApp Storage Encryption, access control on the basis of roles and built-in antivirus.

Project Steps:

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PROGRAM	STAGES
The private cloud in  own DPC is created.	• The platform of virtual servers on the basis of DWH of Netapp is built. • The SAN network is unrolled. • Global corporate file services are implemented.
The global node of disaster recovery is constructed.	• Replication of all nodes on  the internal DR node in the USA is executed  using technology of replication NetApp SnapMirror. • Processes  of backup and abnormal are automated recovery (7 TB weekly  within one building). • Testing is made quarterly.
The reduced DPCs are sent to regional data processing centers (twice smaller racks with DWH of Netapp FAS2000 series).	• Remote transfer of applications files and the desktop systems is executed. • Replication of data on  the DR node is executed.
All resources are virtualized: application servers, controllers of domains, bases data, file servers and print servers.	• Replication of all resources without attempt to understand in is executed interdependence for implementation of selective replication. • Images are standardized.

 

What's next?

We constantly look for methods of increase in return from our investments into solutions NetApp, and are in our plans:

• Simplification of a line of applications: our purpose consists in its narrowing for 78% by   2014 — as a part of this task, we will integrate 21 ERP systems in one.

• Application development for market research which our employees could  to load on the iPhone® or iPad devices.

• Expansion of access to a cloud for our partners and suppliers, providing customized applications to them.

• Implementation of architecture of active-active.

• Deployment of software of Netapp Flash Accel in the production environment, increase productivities of applications for acceleration of work of divisions of development products and marketing and also for increase in competitive advantage Revlon companies. We constantly look for methods of increase in return from our investments in solutions of Netapp, and are in our plans:

• Simplification of a line of applications: our purpose consists in its narrowing for 78% by   2014 — as a part of this task, we will integrate 21 ERP systems in one.

• Application development for market research which our employees could  to load on the iPhone® or iPad devices.

• Expansion of access to a cloud for our partners and suppliers, providing customized applications to them.

• Implementation of architecture of active-active.

• Deployment of software of Netapp Flash Accel in the production environment, increase productivities of applications for acceleration of work of divisions of development products and marketing and also for increase in competitive advantage Revlon companies.