Leader System Manages Over 300 Clients Using Synology’s Backup and Monitoring Solutions

Thierry Carrière, manager of Leader System, was looking for an alternative to their existing Windows Server-based file servers. The advent of technological innovation, especially in cloud technology, marked a turning point in their strategic approach. 

Leader System was in search of a solution that could meet the following requirements:

• Flexible configuration options

• Data encryption capabilities

• Scalability

• Support available in French

• A reliable product warranty

Upon being approached by several brands offering backup solutions, they explored other options and ultimately selected Synology, which proved to be the best fit for their needs.

In 2014, Leader System took the initiative to establish its own data center, utilizing various products, including Synology, to implement a hybrid data backup solution (both on-premises and off-site). This strategy involved deploying a NAS at customer locations to centralize data, which was then backed up to Leader System’s data center. To date, the majority of their 300 customers have been equipped with Synology systems.

Synology systems are monitored using Active Insight, a cloud-based solution that analyzes statistical data to identify anomalies across different sites. Active Insight enables efficient fleet management, saving time, and ensuring responsiveness in case of issues.

Each customer site is equipped with a dedicated NAS for backups. Clients’ endpoints are backed up using Synology's Active Backup for Business, a comprehensive backup tool. The model installed varies depending on the site size, ranging from a 2-bay NAS (DS720+) to a 16-bay NAS (RS4017xs+) for larger sites.

To protect their customers' data, Leader System opted for an onsite-offsite solution. NAS at customer sites are backed up to NAS units in their [Synology-based] data center using Hyper Backup. Hyper Backup provides reliable backups with a streamlined recovery process and features block-level incremental backup and deduplication to maximize storage efficiency.

As companies increasingly adopt Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, their data management requirements shift, reducing reliance on complex server setups and emphasizing the efficient handling of file-based data. To address these changing needs, Leader System advocates for the implementation of Synology systems, highlighting their scalability, cost-efficiency, and robust security features.

Managing hundreds of Synology systems, Leader System relies on Synology's Active Insight for fleet management and maintenance. This service enables the identification of potential issues in real-time. If an issue arises, it is reported on the Active Insight dashboard, and a notification is sent depending on the issue's severity. Leader System's technical service can then provide necessary support remotely or on-site.

By integrating on-site installation, centralized off-site backup, and monitoring via a dedicated console, Leader System can offer a comprehensive backup solution tailored to its customers' needs.

After implementing Synology, Leader System has seen the following benefits:

• Simplified monitoring: Active Insight enables easy monitoring of Synology systems across the entire fleet

• Scalability: Synology’s solutions have allowed Leader system to flexibly meet the demands of customers' growing storage needs

• Ease of configuration: Streamlined system setup and configuration processes have resulted in faster deployment times

• Regular updates and enhancements: Frequent DSM updates and ongoing package enhancements ensure up-to-date functionality and security

• Reliable operation: 100% success rate in customer data restorations

• Responsiveness: Leader System appreciated Synology’s responsiveness to specific feature requests, such as the ability to designate separate recipients for backup notifications

Highlighting the impact of Synology's solutions, Jérôme Carrière, Deputy Director of Leader System shares: “Since 2020, we've deployed 180 Synology NAS units in France and we're delighted with their reliability and the company's attentiveness."