Indiana Wesleyan University Trades Data Backup Tapes for the Cloud

Indiana Wesleyan University Trades Data Backup Tapes for the Cloud

By Jacqueline Lee

Do organizations still backup data on tapes? You may be surprised to find that at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), the largest private university in Indiana, data backup tapes have only recently been retired.

After years of storing data on tapes, the process finally became too cumbersome for IWU. Data retrieval led to stuck tapes and failing drives. Backing up data to tapes took several days, and then data had to be moved offsite for storage. This system left data unprotected from onsite disasters.

Last week, IWU announced its long overdue transition to cloud data storage. The university has adopted a storage solution from MMY Consulting. IWU backs its data up to the Nirvanix cloud using TwinStrata Cloud Array.

Demand for data storage has been a significant driver of cloud adoption. According to Bret Dunst, DreamHost's vice president of marketing, Amazon paved the way by showing other companies how much organizations were craving the data storage capacity, scalability and retrieval capabilities provided by the cloud.

"We realize that storage is huge right now," Dunst told MSPToday's group editorial director, Erik Linask. "Amazon S3 has shown the industry that there is a very voracious appetite for cost-effective, scalable storage."

The challenge of working with higher education institutions, according to MMY Consulting's practice director for cloud computing, Rod Rudd, is dealing with constraints around costs, maintenance and equipment lifecycles. MMY leverages its partnership with TwinStrata to help higher education institutions move past traditional storage infrastructure.

"With MMY, we provide organizations pay-as-you-go storage solutions that address all their needs without the maintenance headaches whether it's increasing capacity for encrypted offsite data protection, archive storage or primary storage for local campuses," explained Nicos Vekiarides, CEO of TwinStrata.

Advantages of cloud adoption for IWU include the ability to store up to 10 copies of data in the cloud environment, data encryption for improved security, the availability of additional CloudArray software licenses in a Virtual Machine configuration and 24/7 technical support.




Edited by Alisen Downey
Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. [Free eNews Subscription]

Contributing Writer

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Related Articles

Real Estate Forecast 2025: Emerging Developments and Market Shifts

By: Contributing Writer    7/1/2025

Buying or selling property can be challenging. Rising mortgage rates and fluctuating home prices leave many uncertain about their next move. Business …

Read More

Protecting Business Assets with Smarter Security Frameworks

By: Contributing Writer    7/1/2025

Protecting your business is more challenging than ever. Cyber threats are increasing every day. Hackers target small and large businesses alike, searc…

Read More

Reimagining Public Transportation in the Era of Smart Mobility

By: Contributing Writer    7/1/2025

Public transportation can be frustrating. Buses stuck in traffic, late trains, and hard-to-navigate systems often leave people stressed or stranded. M…

Read More

SonicWall Powers Secure Access for Missouri MSP, Improving Cybersecurity and Network Access for Clients

By: Erik Linask    6/27/2025

With SonicWall, Stronghold Data delivers a modern, secure remote access solution that ensures access to networks and resources and improves cybersecur…

Read More

Guardz Unleashes AI-Driven ITDR to Combat Escalating Identity-Based Threats

By: Erik Linask    6/26/2025

The launch of Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) gives MSPs the tools to defend SMBs against increasingly sophisticated attacks targeting u…

Read More