Real estate investor relies on managed private cloud

Failures motivate new hardware setups

Before 2018, outsourced IT operations weren’t always as smooth as they are today. “Back then, we constantly struggled with outages. A key problem was that the underlying infrastructure didn’t meet our requirements,” recalls Sebastian Schmid, responsible for data center operations at PATRIZIA SE. “We then deliberately opted for a new setup that had proven itself in the market for many years. With Proact, we found a partner with the necessary knowledge and experience to properly set up the new infrastructure and operate it long-term. Since then, everything has been running smoothly.”

Technically, a classic 3-tier architecture is used. The new setup relies on NetApp MetroCluster as the storage solution, Juniper Core switches for the network infrastructure, and VMware vSphere as the virtualization, cloud, and infrastructure platform. For high availability and geo-redundancy, PATRIZIA uses two data centers at different locations, connected via dark fiber optic cabling.

Continuous coordination for safe operation and needs-based further development

To ensure consistently robust infrastructure operation, the Proact team maintains continuous communication with PATRIZIA’s IT team. This collaborative partnership is characterized by open and honest communication. “In a regular meeting, we discuss daily operations, address potential problems, and coordinate individual steps,” says Tino Hewel, Service Delivery Manager at Proact. “For example, we also make recommendations on when to install which updates. Sometimes, for greater stability, it’s advisable to apply certain updates only after other fixes have been implemented.”

“We are pleased to have a reliable partner in Proact. We don’t have to worry about the basic infrastructure; we know it simply works,” says Sebastian Schmid. This relieves the burden on PATRIZIA’s internal IT team, allowing them to focus entirely on user support, applications, and IT-driven innovations. In this way, PATRIZIA’s IT team makes a significant contribution to the business of the globally active investment manager, whose services are trusted by institutional clients and private investors.

Successful data center relocation

Since its launch in 2018, there have been numerous smaller projects and adjustments to keep the infrastructure up-to-date and meet new requirements. One significant project of this kind was the relocation of hardware within a data center. “We started planning together about six months in advance, as there were many aspects to consider – from power capacity and internal cabling to internet connections and the coordination of all parties involved,” says Sebastian Schmid.

The move itself took place on a public holiday to minimize the impact on users. “Thanks to the second data center, we were able to continue operating with one leg of the process,” explains Schmid. “For us in IT, the data center move was a critical undertaking, but thanks to strong partners like Proact, it went completely smoothly.”

Scalable solution supports business growth

The flexibility of the IT infrastructure also proved its strength during PATRIZIA’s international expansion. In recent years, the company acquired several firms whose IT landscapes needed to be integrated. “With regard to company growth, having a scalable infrastructure has been a huge help. For example, we were able to seamlessly integrate new locations in London and Australia into our IT,” says Sebastian Schmid. The integration was carried out in stages. First, the existing IT landscapes of the acquired companies were adopted and then gradually aligned with PATRIZIA’s standards. The integration has now been successfully completed.

To ensure the IT infrastructure remains a reliable and solid foundation in the future, regular adjustments, hardware replacements, and optimizations are carried out jointly to meet the constantly changing demands of the market. PATRIZIA’s IT team works closely with Proact’s operations team to identify new requirements and find future-proof solutions. It is already foreseeable that the application landscape will become more complex. After all, PATRIZIA has already launched its first AI project. However, the core focus remains unchanged – namely, the reliable, secure, and legally compliant operation of a highly available and high-performance IT infrastructure.