Delphix and Cloud Solutions Enable California State University to Bring AI-Driven Digital Experiences to Half a Million Students

About the client

The California State University (CSU) system is the largest public university system in the United States, encompassing 23 campuses across the state. With an enrollment of over 485,000 students, it offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in over 2,000 different majors.


Client challenges

California State University looks to Delphix to drive data transformation that accelerates its move to AWS and streamlines app development to serve more than 500,000 students across 23 campuses.

1. Hybrid Cloud Integration: CSU required an IT system that was accessible and actionable across a highly distributed campus system. This involved embracing a hybrid cloud strategy, using AWS to extend existing infrastructure.

2. Safeguarding Mission-Critical Information: Emphasis was placed on safeguarding mission-critical information. The IT system needed robust security measures to protect data, whether on-premise or in the cloud.

3. Agility and Faster Delivery: CSU’s technology leaders sought greater agility and faster delivery times for application development. The IT system was required to support the rapid development and deployment of applications to meet the dynamic needs of the campuses.

4. Improved Access to Information: CSU desired better and faster access to information, mainly related to CMS data. The IT system had to facilitate efficient data access, retrieval, and utilization to enhance decision-making processes and support various campus programs.

5. Maximization of Data Delivery: The goal was to leverage access to CMS data and maximize data delivery efficiency. The IT system needed to deliver relevant information to support campus programs and initiatives efficiently.

6. Cost and Time Efficiency: CSU wanted to drive better graduation rates while saving time and money. The IT system was expected to be cost-effective and time-efficient, contributing to overall cost savings and allocating resources more efficiently.

Solution
  • Delphix was the driving force behind CSU’s hybrid cloud migration. The implementation included data masking technology to safeguard critical data during migration.
  • Delphix collaborated with a leading IT company, Unisys to implement a DevOps strategy at CSU. The Delphix DevOps Data Platform, integrated with data virtualization and masking technologies, was leveraged along with API controls.
  • Delphix provided virtual copies of masked CMS production data on-demand, achieving this in minutes and used only a fraction of the resources compared to the university’s previous methods.
  • Delphix implemented an automated solution that enabled smaller teams to execute more than 2,000 monthly requests in minutes.
  • Delphix provided API access to data, enabling CSU to move almost 15TB of data daily to serve all 23 campuses.
Results at a glance
$2M in development storage 2 cost savings per year Enabled hybrid cloud strategy with migration to AWS Ability to move almost 15TB of data every day to serve all 23 campuses
Benefits
  • CSU experienced accelerated and efficient application development with rapid access to on-demand virtual copies of masked CMS production data, minimizing developer time.
  • Delphix’s automation streamlined CSU’s data cloning process, executing over 2,000 requests monthly in minutes, boosting operational efficiency, and facilitating swift data delivery to application teams across campuses.
  • CSU achieved $2 million in annual cost savings by leveraging Delphix’s data storage optimization, enhancing data cloning speed, and reducing physical storage needs.
  • Campus productivity was enhanced, including swift data transfers between private and AWS cloud environments with seamless daily data movement of nearly 15TB across 23 campuses.
  • A streamlined migration process ensured the safeguarding of critical data during the transition, enhancing overall speed and efficiency.
Technology

Delphix