Sheetz has selected StorMagic SvHCI to replace VMware across more than 830 retail locations. The retailer has completed migrations at more than 600 stores so far and is averaging 200 stores per month, with the full rollout expected to take four months.
The migration is being handled remotely across Sheetz’s distributed retail environment. Each location previously ran VMware virtualization on a pair of Dell R440 or R450 series servers. By continuing to use that existing hardware, Sheetz is reducing costs and limiting disruption during the rollout.
Sheetz had already deployed StorMagic SvSAN as the hyperconverged storage layer with VMware across hundreds of stores. The technology supported critical in-store applications while improving resiliency and simplifying infrastructure management.
The company also replaced multiple single-purpose systems with a highly available two-node HCI architecture. This helped reduce hardware requirements and support services such as payment processing, loyalty programs and store operations.
“Our initial rollout proved StorMagic could deliver the resilience and centralized management needed across a large distributed retail environment,” said Gary Sliver, director of platform engineering at Sheetz. “StorMagic worked to understand our needs and requirements, to include a 24/7/365 operating environment, and ultimately delivered a product and plan that is allowing us to migrate hundreds of locations from VMware quickly and with minimal downtime, without requiring hardware replacements or having to send technicians to every site. This project is proof that large-scale edge migrations don’t have to be disruptive, drawn-out or scary affairs.”
StorMagic said the project provides an example of how organizations can move away from VMware while retaining existing infrastructure and maintaining business continuity amid rising hardware prices and shipment delays.
“Sheetz is demonstrating that enterprise-scale VMware migrations can be completed rapidly, remotely and without costly hardware refreshes,” said Scott Mann, SVP global sales, StorMagic. “Organizations with hundreds or thousands of distributed sites need alternatives that reduce risk and operational complexity, and this deployment shows what’s possible when customers can leverage their existing infrastructure.”
