South China Morning Post Standardizes Business-Critical Oracle Database Solution on NetApp Unified Storage Systems

Business Wire, July 26, 2004

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- NetApp Delivers Data Protection, High Availability, and Reduces Database Complexity for Leading Regional Media Company for Deadline-Sensitive News Reporting, Production, and Distribution

Network Appliance, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTAP), the leader in advanced networked storage solutions for today's data-intensive enterprise, today announced that the South China Morning Post (SCMP) Group has consolidated its Oracle(R)-based digital library and enterprise circulation systems on NetApp(R) unified storage solutions. The SCMP Group selected NetApp storage systems to reduce complex data management; provide reliable data access for newspaper reporters, researchers, and editors; and ensure business-critical data availability for deadline-sensitive production and distribution systems.

The SCMP Group turned to NetApp to run its business critical Oracle(R) Database solutions because it required an integrated, scalable, and flexible storage solution to efficiently and economically address its data management needs. The Oracle on NetApp solution provides the SCMP Group quick and timely access to editorial information, requires minimal IT maintenance and management, and increases reliability and performance. The NetApp storage architecture also facilitates the SCMP Group's needs for on-demand growth, superior data protection, and data recovery.

"Our ability to meet publication deadlines is critical and dependent on the reporters having fast and reliable access to data that sits in the Oracle Database. NetApp storage systems enable this to happen," says Philip Wong, assistant director of technology at the SCMP Group, parent company of the South China Morning Post, one of the most important newspapers in Asia. "We simply cannot miss a single delivery schedule, which could potentially cost us subscriber loyalty, significant advertiser penalties, and hundreds of thousands of dollars per day in sales. Consolidating Oracle data on NetApp storage produced an immediate 20-percent increase in newspaper production systems performance."

The NetApp storage systems provide high-performance storage for Oracle Database and Oracle Application Server solutions. Pacific Century Cyber Works (PCCW) is a Network Appliance partner and solutions provider in Hong Kong that teamed with the SCMP Group to deploy a complete infrastructure solution that integrates the enterprise storage, backup/recovery, and support services SCMP Group required. The integrated solution includes a clustered NetApp unified storage system that stores the digital library Oracle Database, while an additional clustered NetApp system integrates a Fibre Channel SAN for the Oracle-based circulation system. NetApp has a unique ability to integrate with the existing IT infrastructure, providing SCMP Group with a NAS and Fibre Channel SAN support for a reporting system and home directories.

"Today enterprises are powered by sophisticated database and business applications. These companies require cost-effective, consolidated data management solutions that are easy to operate," says Patrick Rogers, vice president of Marketing at Network Appliance. "The tight technology integration between Oracle and NetApp empower SCMP Group to easily consolidate and reduce the complexity and cost of managing its Oracle Database and layered applications. SCMP Group is one of many Oracle customers selecting NetApp storage for these very reasons."

About South China Morning Post

The South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com) is Asia's premier English-language newspaper with the highest audited circulation of any English-language newspaper in Hong Kong. It operates as the flagship publication of the SCMP Group, a media company whose core business is newspaper and magazine publishing and also holds interests in book publishing, retailing, video-film productions and investments. Successfully managing relentless daily deadlines, aggressive production demands, and rapid growth, the South China Morning Post has been delivering 100 years of news with a view.

About Network Appliance

Network Appliance is the leader in advanced network storage solutions for today's data-intensive enterprise. Since its inception in 1992, Network Appliance has delivered technology, product, and partner firsts that continue to drive "The evolution of storage.(TM)" Information about Network Appliance(TM) solutions and services is available at www.netapp.com.

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