German School of Madrid Turns to Synology for Centralized Backup and Monitoring Solutions

Before adopting Synology, the German School of Madrid stored all its data on a single Windows server without any redundancy or backups. This posed a high risk of data loss in the event of system failure. The school required an easy-to-use backup solution compatible with both Windows and Mac OS, supporting features like Time Machine backups.

Additionally, the school’s CCTV system was outdated and limited to specific camera brands, making it challenging to find cost-effective options. The system's complexity also hindered efficient management. The school needed a more intuitive surveillance solution with broader hardware compatibility.

"I was already familiar with Synology products as a satisfied user of the RT2600ac. Naturally, I trusted Synology when selecting a NAS for the German School of Madrid," shared IT Manager Luis Malo.

Thanks to Synology NAS devices, the school now has comprehensive data protection. Using Active Backup for Business, they can centrally back up multiple computers to a single DS218+ without worrying about license fees, enabling bare-metal backup and restoration for the entire environment, including data, settings, and PC operating systems.

This solution centralizes all backup tasks with a single management console, eliminating the need for multiple backup software programs and saving on extra costs and deployment time. It is also easy to set up and manage, allowing end users to perform self-service file or instant folder recovery without involving IT admins. Additionally, Global Deduplication technology has significantly reduced storage consumption.

The school uses a DS116 as the first-tier backup destination for virtual server backups and clones the data to another DS116 using Hyper Backup. A third tier of backup copies is uploaded to Amazon Glacier through the Synology Glacier Backup application, ensuring additional data protection.

The German School of Madrid deployed Synology NAS devices to centralize backups using Active Backup for Business. With a single DS218+, the school efficiently protected data across multiple Windows PCs without the need for additional licensing fees. This solution enabled comprehensive backups of data, settings, and operating systems with hot recovery options. Centralized management through a single console eliminated the need for multiple backup software solutions, while end users gained self-service recovery capabilities, significantly reducing the IT team’s workload. Moreover, global deduplication technology reduced storage consumption by more than 50%.

To ensure robust data protection, the school implemented a three-tier backup architecture. Primary backups were stored on a DS116, and redundancy was achieved by cloning data to another DS116 using Hyper Backup. To add an extra layer of security, a third tier of backups was uploaded to Amazon Glacier via the Synology Glacier Backup application, providing reliable off-site data protection.

The outdated CCTV system was replaced with Synology Surveillance Station, integrated into the DS218+. This upgrade provided an intuitive control panel for live monitoring and access to archived footage, streamlining surveillance management. The system's compatibility with various peripherals, such as I/O modules and door controllers, allowed for flexible configurations to meet the school’s needs. Additionally, the new system offered greater freedom in selecting cost-effective cameras, enhancing functionality and affordability.