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Case Study • • 3 minute read

Rapid Deployment of FlexPod Solution Speeds Time to Market for DoD

WWT provided integration, configuration, custom cabling, testing, staging and shipping within the integration center to meet the demands of a federal agency.

In this case study

  1. People
  2. Processes
  3. Partners
  4. Results

Watch how WWT helped a U.S. Federal Agency consolidate multiple data centers into a cloud infrastructure within 45 days.

Speed. Flexibility. Expansive capability. IT expertise. These are the essential elements of Factory Express, an exciting federal government program being managed within WWT's cutting-edge North American Integration Center in St. Louis.

When a U.S. Federal Agency needed to consolidate multiple data centers into a hybrid cloud infrastructure in just 45 days, WWT got engaged.

In this unique program, in which the federal government chose to utilize a commercial enterprise for both integration services and delivery, WWT instituted the Factory Express Initiative to deliver 78 custom racks and six complete cloud systems with FlexPod® Data Center Architecture in time to meet the client's aggressive deadline.

WWT leveraged people, processes and powerful partnerships to ensure the success of this project.

 People

The WWT team is comprised of specialists in systems, virtualization, storage, testing, network engineering, database development and cloud computing with vast experience in high-availability clustering and enterprise systems management. More than 30 resources spent two months in the warehouse working 12-hour days, seven days a week to meet the client's aggressive timeline. 

Over the course of the project, WWT's OEM-certified professional services team used video conferencing to work directly with remote client personnel to design custom assemblies, configurations, integrations, cabling and testing schematics and to provide day-to-day project updates.

 Processes

As all of the FlexPods required configuration, custom cabling, testing, staging and shipping, WWT utilized our North American Integration Center in St. Louis, Missouri. We immediately established 30,000 sq. ft. of dedicated space for the program comprised of 17,500 sq. ft. for inbound material staging and cabinet builds; 12,500 sq. ft. for staging, storage and crating; and 2,500 sq. ft. for testing. A transformer with 380 amps and 208 voltage was added to support increased power demands. 

Within this optimized setting, we simultaneously assembled, configured, tested and asset tagged all 78 racks so they could be completed and delivered to the client at once.

 Partners

Longstanding partnerships with NetApp and Cisco Systems helped streamline product procurement for the FlexPod components, including NetApp unified storage systems, Cisco® Unified Computing System™ servers and Cisco Nexus® fabric. WWT also worked hand-in-hand with NetApp pre-sales engineers to validate all configurations, establish pricing and create a bill of materials (BOM).

NetApp Professional Services representatives joined WWT on-site during the configuration period, during which WWT experts validated firmware and BIOS levels on all hardware, provided custom cabling and labeling, and leveraged an automated testing program to confirm port-to-port connectivity and performance. Working together as true partners, the WWT and NetApp teams conducted troubleshooting to address any problems they encountered along the way.

 Results

We packed, shipped and delivered optimized systems to the client in time to meet their aggressive 45-calendar-day deadline. The project is ongoing and, to date, WWT has been awarded three increments totaling 12 systems, over 100 racks.

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