Batten and Allen Case Study.indd - Softcat

Case Study
Consolidate and Protect
Batten & Allen
Softcat identified and implemented a backup solution to keep Batten & Allen’s
data safe in the virtual environment.
Batten & Allen is one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers
of precision stampings. The fast-growing, dynamic company serves
a wide variety of industry sectors, including electrical, electronic,
medical, automotive, telecommunications, and solar energy.
Moving into the virtual environment
The precision engineering company was quick to recognise the ways in
which it could benefit from virtualisation. In an effort to consolidate its
servers and cut its operating expenses, it decided to move its Microsoft
Exchange, its Microsoft SharePoint and its Microsoft Dynamics NAV
enterprise resource planning system into the virtual environment.
Batten & Allen needed to figure out an efficient, reliable and cost-effective
way to back up and recover the data, so it called on its long-term
integration partner Softcat for advice.
PROGRESSION IN STAMPING
Project profile
• Symantec Backup Exec 2010
• Deduplication option
• Agents for VMware Virtual
Infrastructure, Microsoft SQL Server
and Microsoft Exchange
• Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1
critical issues
Optimised data protection
Softcat suggested using Symantec Backup Exec – a proven, flexible,
user-friendly solution that would be an excellent fit for Batten & Allen’s
needs. The IT provider then proceeded to help its client with the
implementation.
A major benefit of the solution is the optimised data protection it offers
for the Windows Small Business Server environment. And Batten &
Allen was also keen to take advantage of a deduplication function,
saving money by reducing the size of the backup storage it needs. The
solution also provides ‘granular recovery’, so that Batten & Allen can
Softcat | Fieldhouse Lane | Marlow | Bucks | SL7 1TB
W: www.softcat.com | T: 01628 403 403 | E: sales@softcat.com

quickly restore individual email messages, rather than the Exchange
application in its entirety.
Backup Exec also provides centralised set-up, reporting, and patch
management, which reduces the support burden.
In addition to Backup Exec, Softcat helped Batten & Allen to roll out
Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 to defend against attacks on 29
clients and six physical and virtual systems. It protects against viruses,
worms, Trojans and spyware, and reduces administrative overhead by
preventing security outbreaks.
Lower storage costs
Using the solution that Softcat implemented, Batten & Allen expects
to achieve deduplication rates of more than 16 to 1 and significantly
reduce the amount of disk and tape storage it needs.
One unified console gives the company integrated deduplication,
granular restore, open file protection, disaster recovery, and backup
protection for its Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Exchange, SharePoint, SQL
and Windows systems. It also has comprehensive data protection for
its VMware environments.
“Softcat’s expert
team understood
exactly what we were
trying to achieve,
while simultaneously
introducing us to
new functionality like
deduplication and
agents and options
that enhance and
extend platform and
feature support.”
Steve Smith, IT manager
BATTEN & ALLEN
“We expect to achieve
deduplication rates of
more than 16 to 1 with
Backup Exec. That will
lead to a significant
reduction in our
demand for disk and
tape storage.”
Steve Smith, IT manager
BATTEN & ALLEN
About Softcat
Softcat is a leading provider of software licensing, hardware, security and related IT services. Softcat was founded in 1993
by chairman and majority shareholder Peter Kelly, remains privately owned and currently employs over 400 people. It
achieved a turnover in excess of £220 million in its last financial year and has been profitable since inception, resulting in
a strong balance sheet and very firm financial foundations. The company sells and supports products and solutions from all
the world’s leading IT companies. On all its portfolio products and solutions it offers a full range of services, including advice
and guidance, technical design, product sourcing, implementation, support and project management. It enjoys a trading
relationship with over 2,500 longstanding customers, predominantly from the UK corporate sector but also including large
enterprises, small businesses and public sector organisations. As an organisation Softcat cares passionately about two things –
outstanding employee satisfaction and world class customer service. It believes the former drives the latter.
Softcat | Fieldhouse Lane | Marlow | Bucks | SL7 1TB
W: www.softcat.com | T: 01628 403 403 | E: sales@softcat.com