The UK’s Higher Education (HE) sector is a global powerhouse of research, innovation, and learning. This dynamic environment thrives on data, from invaluable student records and sensitive research to critical operational information. However, this reliance on data also presents a significant and growing target for cyber-attacks. For universities and colleges, the consequences of a data breach or ransomware attack extend far beyond immediate financial costs, risking reputational damage, disruption to essential services, and the potential loss of irreplaceable academic work.
XMA understands these evolving challenges. We are committed to providing HE institutions with robust, forward-thinking solutions. That’s why our long-standing strategic partnerships are so crucial. The recent announcement of a new strategic relationship between Pure Storage and Nutanix (two of XMA’s key partners for many years) further strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional value and reinforces our foresight in selecting partners that truly benefit the sector. This synergy allows us to offer even more integrated and powerful solutions for your modern data infrastructure needs.
We’ll explain how, through XMA, the combination of Pure Storage’s innovative technology and flexible approach can enable universities to build true cyber resilience and achieve greater operational agility.
XMA, Pure Storage, and Nutanix Amplifies the Power of Partnership
For institutions already leveraging Nutanix through XMA, the new strategic partnership between Pure Storage and Nutanix is particularly compelling. This collaboration is designed to deliver greater customer choice by offering validated solutions that combine Pure Storage’s leading enterprise storage with Nutanix’s Cloud Platform. It aims to simplify infrastructure by streamlining the deployment and management of modern applications and data, and to enhance workload flexibility by providing robust and resilient data services for even the most demanding workloads. XMA’s deep expertise with both Pure Storage and Nutanix uniquely positions us to help HE institutions harness the full potential of this combined offering, ensuring seamless integration and optimised performance.
Pure Storage will be the Cornerstone of Your Cyber Resilience Strategy
It’s important to be clear: data storage is a critical component of a comprehensive cyber resilience strategy, working in concert with robust data protection software and security protocols. Pure Storage provides an exceptionally resilient and high-performance foundation upon which to build that strategy. Key elements supporting this include their Immutable Snapshots and SafeMode™ Protection, which create secure, unalterable copies of your data shielded from modification or deletion, even by compromised administrator accounts. This provides a “clean room” recovery point, vital for rapid restoration after an attack. In the event of an incident, where time is critical, Pure Storage technology is engineered for high-speed data recovery, even at petabyte scale, minimising downtime and disruption. Furthermore, data at rest is consistently protected through robust, always-on data encryption, without the performance penalties often associated with legacy systems.
Keep your Storage Evergreen™ by Breaking Free from Traditional Storage Cycles
One of the most significant differentiators Pure Storage offers, and a cornerstone of XMA’s value proposition, is the Evergreen™ Storage model. This is a game-changer for universities looking for long-term value and predictability. It allows institutions to eliminate disruptive and costly “forklift upgrades” that are typically required every few years. With Evergreen, you can modernise your storage hardware and software non-disruptively for a decade or more, as upgrades occur in place without the need for complex and time-consuming data migrations, ensuring continuous operations. This model also provides a clear, predictable cost structure and ensures you always have access to the latest Pure Storage innovations in performance, density, and features. Your investment is protected, and your storage stays modern, directly addressing the challenge of keeping technology current while managing budgets effectively and allowing IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than being bogged down by constant refresh cycles.
Financial Flexibility with CAPEX and OPEX Models for HE Budgets
We recognise that financial agility is paramount for universities. Pure Storage offers a variety of consumption models, including traditional CAPEX purchases and flexible OPEX-based Storage-as-a-Service (STaaS) options with Evergreen//One™ and Evergreen//Flex™. This means you can choose the financial model that best aligns with your institution’s budgetary requirements and strategic financial planning, ensuring access to leading-edge technology without prohibitive upfront costs.
Take Control of Your Data’s Future
It’s time to move beyond generic concerns and implement specific, powerful solutions. Consider how quickly and reliably your institution can recover from a significant cyber incident, whether current storage limitations are hindering research, innovation, or operational efficiency, and if your IT team is spending too much time managing storage rather than focusing on value-added services. XMA and Pure Storage provide the answers to these critical questions.
Experience the Difference: Request Your Pure Storage Test Drive
The best way to understand the transformative impact of Pure Storage is to see it in action. We strongly encourage you to request a personalised demo and test drive Pure Storage to experience its simplicity, performance, and resilience firsthand.
For more information about Pure Storage, visit our partner page. There, you’ll find more detailed information in our guide, especially about Evergreen™.
Visit our Nutanix partner page to discover how with one platform, you get infinite possibilities.
To arrange your demo, or to discuss your specific requirements with our HE specialists, please contact your XMA account manager today. Alternatively, email us for more information.
Monitoring by Hotjar