What is our primary use case?
Our biggest use case for Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery is the basic backup and recovery function. We back up our production systems that are critical to our operation, establishing individual recovery points and recovery tasks for them, and protect them from a cybersecurity perspective. If we ever experienced a cyber incident, we would be able to recover all of our production data, anywhere from solutions that run our production floors to some of our core ERP systems.
What is most valuable?
The feature of Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery that I appreciate the most is the ability to actually do the job, and having a single-pane screen to manage the whole solution has been a significant benefit.
We have been very happy with the ML-based anomaly detection feature in identifying potential threats, with the machine learning and AI that has been built into Dell's solution. Although we have not used it extensively, it has given us some helpful hints that we have been able to take advantage of. At this point, we are satisfied with it, but we can do much more with it.
Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery has definitely saved us time. It has completed the backup so we can recover, and we have recovered full recoveries as well as individual files, so it has definitely saved us time and accomplished its job.
Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery has impacted our overall cybersecurity strategy significantly. When you move away from protecting your outer walls around your firewalls and educating your people, it has been at the core of protecting our data to ensure that we replicate it and can recover the data that we need. Because everything in this day and age depends on data, and having the ability to have multiple copies of it in different geographic regions has been a major benefit. It is definitely one of our core parts of our overall cybersecurity strategy.
One of the greatest features that Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery brings to the table that has benefited us is the remote replication capability. When we were implementing this PowerProtect and Cyber Resilience solution, we experienced a minor issue with Dell. They sent us the wrong power cord, and addressing this issue took considerable time because we had to retrofit our power in our data center at the site to power that unit. However, we were able to run remote backup, meaning we backed up our manufacturing site in Chocolate Bayou, Texas, to our co-location in Virginia over the network. With our previous solution, we were never able to do this. Although Dell initially recommended doing a backup and recovery locally and then replicating that recovery to the sister site, we used the product to do the backup directly to the sister site. This is a feature that we have been very satisfied with, especially since many competitors claim this capability works but it never does when we test it. With Dell, we never expected it to work, but it actually does, so we are very satisfied with that feature.
Regarding Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery's ability to ensure data immutability in our IT infrastructure, having that local copy and then having that offsite digital copy that we send between the individual sites has given us comfort. Additionally, some of the certification and air gap capability that comes with that built-in solution versus having to buy a third-party one has been beneficial. This is why we chose them. It has given us the ability to have that local copy, the ability to have that replicated offsite copy, and then to have that final copy where it is air-gapped.
What needs improvement?
The biggest improvement that we would like to see for Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery is how it can be part of the storage side of the world versus being a standalone solution. Currently, being a standalone product is neat, but it means we cannot integrate it with our overall storage strategy. I would prefer to purchase Dell storage and use that storage across both my day-to-day storage and the storage for Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery. In my current configuration, I have separate hardware for the backup and recovery and the cyber resilience, and I have different hardware for just storage. Integrating these two would be quite interesting.
From my perspective, the integration between products is not really an obstacle. What matters more is how we as customers can simplify our technology hardware stack on site. From a software perspective, it would be beneficial if they created a solution where I could see my compute, storage, and backup recovery as a single pane of glass. A one-stop shop with one dashboard would be great. This opportunity exists for improvement. From a hardware perspective, simplifying it so I have less hardware on site would be valuable.
I want to reduce my footprint with Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery. Reducing footprint is something all manufacturing organizations desire. When you look at all the manufacturing sites around the world, we always have to build a room for IT usage and data center rooms at our facilities. The smaller your footprint, the less cooling and less energy usage you need, which is a win-win scenario. This is what all of us as customers are looking for, which is smaller footprints.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
When we assess the stability and reliability of Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery and evaluate the reliability, I would rate it on a scale of zero to ten as being between nine and ten, if not nine point five. It has worked reliably, and every time we have called upon it, it has worked.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have not had any issues with Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery scaling with the growing needs of our organization. As we change and evolve, they have been working with us very well, and from what we use it for, it has definitely met the requirements that we have set forth. The ability to recover, ability to air gap it, and ability to replicate it have all worked very well for us.
How are customer service and support?
The customer service and technical support for Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery would be rated at approximately a nine to nine point five. As an end user, we always want them to come to us versus us going to them, and I think that is where the improvement can be. However, every time we have called upon Dell, they have been responsive, whether it is just general questions or if we are having a critical issue. The support and account team have been attentive.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Our previous solution was definitely a market leader, Rubrik. They are a phenomenal organization. When we engaged with them, we were a Rubrik customer for over six years, going through two cycles with them. However, we were just undersized, which really prohibited us from completing the basic functions that we needed. When we went back to them, it was just not feasible. This opened the door for Dell, and they came in and worked hard with us. One of the things that Dell was excellent about was listening to us very carefully throughout the whole process. We made it clear that we did not want to be undersized. Today, we are in production and we are not undersized, so it has been a win-win.
How was the initial setup?
When we started the relationship with Dell using their PowerProtect and Cyber Resilience solution, we made it very clear that this was something we could not fail at. They came through with a white glove service and we were able to roll it out globally. We were ahead of schedule. In the US, we deployed it in three months and globally, we completed it within the following six months.
What about the implementation team?
When we do our selection of our solution, we always run a proof of concept. Dell was very flexible with us, and they actually brought in their solution, put it in our facility, and allowed us to test it thoroughly to ensure it worked for us. This was important because we could truly see that the solution was going to work for us. Additionally, the relationship with Dell was critical. We were already a significant Dell presence within our organization, using them for our end user clients, our computing in the back end, and our storage. Adding them on for data recovery protection and cyber resilience was almost a natural choice. They provided us with a great relationship and have always taken care of us.
What was our ROI?
The return on investment that we have seen with Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery is fundamental. It actually works. I understand that sounds unusual and should be standard IT practice, but with our previous predecessor, we were undersized and under-scoped, and every time we went back to them, it cost more and more. We could not even complete our fundamental backing up of something as simple as a file share, not to mention application backup. With Dell's solution and their PowerProtect and Cyber Resilience, we have been able to overcome all of that. The ROI has been in being able to overcome those limitations. We have been able to shift the management of it from personnel in the US to our international team, so we have seen some financial value there as well. This demonstrates how simple it is to operate their solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We have been very satisfied with the pricing, licensing, and setup costs of Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery. It was extremely competitive when we went through the evaluation with its peer. At the end of the day, we did add on other components, and I think sometimes the piecemealing could be better. I understand why they do that, but from a customer perspective, if they had a general license, it would be beneficial. It was definitely competitive, but it could be improved.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We looked at Druva and Cohesity as well, so we evaluated all the primary players out there. We do that as part of our cycle. Every three or four years, whenever our cycle is with our solutions, we always go back and double-check it.
What other advice do I have?
My advice to anyone evaluating Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery is to always make sure you test it thoroughly so you understand what you are getting. Once you start testing it, you are going to fall in love with it and you are going to be a Dell customer. I would rate Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery a nine on a scale of one to ten, with one being worst and ten being best. I give it a nine because it fundamentally works and checks off the box. The rest of the rating is because they continuously listen, grow with you, and help you expand your cybersecurity strategy. Building a strong cybersecurity strategy is like building a house. If you do not have a solid foundation, you will have a lot of problems. Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery is one of the pillars that gives us a solid foundation above and beyond protecting our network and educating our people. It is about protecting our data and our core applications that we need, and it performs reliably in that capacity.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other