Sky makes data more accessible in the cloud

08.12.2014
Sky has gone to a cloud-based data storage system to make its files more accessible as its data lake grows.

The company is using Cleversafe's object-based storage solution in the UK for its private cloud platform to host large amounts of unstructured data - including video, audio, documents, backups and more.

Sky manages multiple petabytes of data. As its unstructured data began to expand, the company sought a solution that could grow with it. Sky selected Cleversafe's storage platform to build what it says is a highly scalable and cost efficient storage system.

Will Westwick, head of enterprise technology at Sky, said: "As a leading media and communications company, we manage an enormous amount of unstructured data, and every bit of that data needs to be readily accessible.

"But as data grows, it becomes harder and harder to make accessibility a reality in an economically sustainable way."

He said: "Cleversafe's platform has the maturity and scalability we require, while also supporting our objective to lower data centre TCO without comprising service. This is a fundamental requirement as we scale."

Another advantage, said Sky, is that Cleversafe's patented, geographically dispersed erasure coding method houses data as virtualised and encrypted "slices" spread across devices, which is said to eliminate the need for costly data replication.

Sky recently announced a deal to test its internet TV services using the CloudTest platform from SOASTA. CloudTest will be used to ensure Sky's various digital viewing platforms like Sky Go and Now TV can handle peaks and troughs in traffic.

(www.computerworlduk.com)

Antony Savvas