Need for Greater Information Accessibility Puts Storage Solutions Top of the Agenda
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
As a leader in the region’s banking sector, Mashreq Bank has recently entered a multi-million dirham deal with EMC - the world leader in information storage systems, software, networks and services - for athe wide-ranging storage infrastructure that includes the EMC Symmetrix 8530.
Aware of the importance for aof a comprehensive storage solution, Mashreq Bank - a dedicated EMC customer since 1999 – has upgraded its business continuity ance strategycapabilities, by enhancing data replication between connected sites made up of connected data sites to ensure so as to optimise the safety storage of suchits information should unplanned downtime occur. Supported by EMC hardware and coupled by EMC software, the two sites are connected by a fibre communications link that enables business continuity in the event of, and Mashreq regularly tests the capacity of both sites to ensure that business can continue uninterrupted in case of a disaster.
By investing in such aEMC’s comprehensive storage business continuity solution, Mashreq Bank has secured for itself constantis not only maximising access tothe protection of vitalits information, but is creating new efficiencies to make its business safer and more productive., the ability to carry on business without the threat of downtime, assurance that vital information is safe, and increased peace of mind that customer information and key applications are available around-the-clock.
Syed Fahimuddin, senior project manager in Mindscape, a leading financial services systems integrator in Dubai whom to which Mashreq Bank has outsourced its entireIT infrastructureto, highlights some of the specific benefits that Mashreq is already receiving from its storage upgrade project. He notes, “Backing up all of Mashreq’s data across its diverse applications used to be a difficult and time-consuming process. We’ve increased the ‘up time’ of our mission-critical applications considerably - back-ups that previously consumed 3 hours of downtime can now be done in less than 2 minutes.”
“This type of information accessibility, made possible byour EMC infrastructure, gives the bank a definite edge in a competitive market. In addition, the open nature of EMC’s solutions mean that we can fully leverage our investment across different storage platforms and manage the entire information infrastructure in a better, more cost effective way,” said Mohamed Fouz, CEO of Mindscape.
Mashreq’s storage upgrade initiative has resulted in all of the bank’s mission-critical applications being supported bythe EMC infrastructure. EMC’s Symmetrix range provides the basis toenables the storinge and management of data from applications such as commercial and retail core banking solutions, a treasury application, a mutual fund application, and solutions for credit cards, smart cards, and loan processing. Mashreq’s implementation of elements of the Oracle E-Business Suite, including financials, human resources, and payroll solutions, are also backed upmanaged and protected within to the EMC’s infrastructure.
“Mashreq Bank has set an excellent example for regional enterprises in creating its storage infrastructure. First, they’ve created a manageable, scalable environment that can be administered centrally and cost-effectively, rather than making smaller, one-off storage decisions,” said Mohammed Amin, regional manager, EMC Middle East.
“Secondly, while many companies in the region may have a disaster recovery policy in place, Mashreq is regularly and exhaustively testing its plans to ensure that it has full business continuance should unplanned downtime occur. That commitment gives both the bank and its customers greater peace-of-mind,” Amin added.
As part of its storage area network, Mashreq Bank has deployed two EMC Symmetrix 8530 systems – one each at its production and disaster recovery sites. The two systems are linked viamirror information by means of the EMC’s Symmetrix Remote Data Facility software, and are Mashreq also relies on further supported by EMC’s TimeFinder, PowerPath, Symmetrix Optimizer, and ControlCenter storage management software solutions.to maximize the performance of its storage environment.
Based on a long-standing relationship, STME - one of EMC’s local partners authorized resellers – has provided the implementation, training and knowledge transfer, and ongoing support for Mashreq Bank’s latest enterprise storage initiative.
-Ends-
About EMC
EMC Corporation is the world leader in information storage systems, software, networks and services, providing automated networked storage solutions that enable organizations of all sizes to better and more cost-effectively manage, protect and share their information the information infrastructure for a connected world. Information about EMC's products and services can be found at http://www.EMC.com.
About Mindscape
Mindscape Technology Solutions LLC. is a leading solutions and systems integrator for financial services industry based in Dubai. Mindscape offers integration services in areas of CRM, ERP, banking middleware, data warehousing solutions and end-to-end infrastructure management. For more information, please visit Mindscape at www.mindscapeit.com
© Press Release 2003
