Invetech Accelerates Engineering Collaboration with NetApp and Resilio Global File Caching

Invetech is a leading engineering company specializing in biomedical cell therapy and diagnostics solutions. The company provides custom engineering services to clients who need specialized equipment and systems built to meet their unique requirements. With operations from San Diego, California, to Melbourne, Australia, Invetech relies on seamless global file access to maintain productivity across its distributed teams.

Managing approximately 20 terabytes of engineering data across two continents, Invetech needed a reliable file caching solution to deliver instant access to critical project files regardless of location. 

When their existing use of NetApp's Global File Cache (GFC) product approached end-of-service life, Invetech turned to Resilio for a reliable alternative.

"When we first started, we found Talon Fast. NetApp then bought them out, and they became GFC (Global File Cache). Once we landed on Resilio, got a demo, and implemented some strategy here, we thought it was working just the same, if not better, than our current solution. And that's when we decided, ‘You know what? I think it's time to pull the trigger on this.'"Brian Leicester, IT Manager at Invetech

The Challenge

Invetech's global operations faced significant productivity challenges due to file access delays between their San Diego and Melbourne offices. The company's data is hosted in Melbourne, serving approximately 200 employees in Australia and 40 in the United States who need fast access to engineering files, CAD drawings, and project documentation.

The primary challenge was unacceptable sync delays with NetApp GFC. When Australian team members shared file links with colleagues in San Diego, the files would fail to appear for 1-2 minutes, forcing users to wait or try again later. This delay created workflow interruptions and frustrated employees who expected immediate access to shared resources.

Performance degradation after migration became another critical issue. While NetApp GFC had worked adequately initially, performance significantly declined after a system migration. File acceleration wasn't performing as expected, and troubleshooting became increasingly difficult due to limited visibility into system operations.

Limited diagnostic capabilities, like monitoring and error reporting, made problem resolution challenging with GFC. Diagnosing issues when they occurred was nearly impossible, so the team would often resort to restarting services and hoping that problems would resolve themselves.

Impending end-of-service life concerns added urgency to finding a replacement. With NetApp GFC approaching EOSL, Invetech needed to identify and implement a long-term solution before support ended and potential system failures became unmanageable.

Complex engineering workflows demanded reliable file access. The company's engineers work with demanding applications like SolidWorks CAD and PDM systems, Altium design software, and various proprietary engineering tools that require fast, consistent access to large files stored in Australia.

"After the migration, things didn’t work the same. We were having a hard time dedicating the time required to submit support cases to troubleshoot the issues. It was during one of our support calls that we found out NetApp GFC was going EOL."Brian Leicester, IT Manager at Invetech

The Solution

After researching NetApp GFC alternatives, Invetech discovered Resilio Active Everywhere. The platform's software-only approach and superior performance capabilities made it an ideal replacement for their global file caching needs.

Resilio Active Everywhere eliminates the need for additional hardware while delivering enhanced performance. The platform's peer-to-peer architecture ensures ultra-fast data transfer and synchronization, significantly outperforming traditional client-server models like NetApp GFC.
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Seamless Integration with Existing Infrastructure

Resilio Active Everywhere integrated seamlessly with Invetech's existing VMware and Dell SAN storage infrastructure. The implementation required no infrastructure changes, allowing the company to leverage its current investments.

The software-only deployment allowed Invetech to install Resilio agents directly on its existing servers without purchasing additional hardware or making costly infrastructure modifications.
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Superior Performance and Reliability

The modern architecture of Resilio Active Everywhere delivers several key performance advantages over NetApp GFC:

• Near real-time file access: Files appear instantly when shared between locations, eliminating the 1-2 minute delays that plagued the NetApp GFC implementation

• WAN-optimized transfers: The platform's UDP-based protocol optimizes available bandwidth for faster file transfers across high-latency networks

• Efficient caching: Files are cached locally on first access, making subsequent opens feel like local file access

• Robust file locking: Advanced file locking capabilities prevent conflicts while ensuring quick lock propagation across locations
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Enhanced Monitoring and Visibility

One of Resilio's most appreciated features is its comprehensive monitoring and diagnostic capabilities. Unlike NetApp GFC's limited visibility, Resilio provides:

• Real-time monitoring dashboard: IT administrators can see exactly what's happening with file transfers and synchronization

• Detailed error reporting: When issues occur, the system provides specific error details that enable quick diagnosis and resolution

• File lock management: Administrators can see who has files open and can release locks when needed, eliminating guesswork
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Rapid Issue Resolution and Support

During implementation, Invetech encountered some initial compatibility issues. Resilio's development team quickly identified and resolved these bugs, delivering new builds within a week to address the specific technical challenges.

Resilio's support team's responsiveness and technical expertise gave Invetech confidence that they would resolve ongoing issues quickly, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.

"What's cool about Resilio is that you can monitor live data and you can see errors to help troubleshoot. With Talon / GFC, it was very hard to troubleshoot. You had no clue what was going on."Brian Leicester, IT Manager at Invetech

The Results

Implementing Resilio Active Everywhere has transformed Invetech's global file access experience, delivering measurable improvements across multiple dimensions.

Immediate Performance Improvements

• Eliminated sync delays: File sharing between locations now happens instantly, eliminating the 1-2 minute wait times that disrupted workflows

• Instant file access: Users can double-click folders and files for immediate access, with caching ensuring subsequent opens feel like local file access

• Improved application performance: Engineering applications like SolidWorks PDM now perform significantly better when accessing files from Melbourne
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Enhanced User Experience

• Positive employee feedback: Users report having "their speed back" and describe the improvement as "night and day" compared to the previous solution

• Seamless remote work: Employees working from home experience the same fast file access as those in the office

• Reduced IT support requests: With reliable performance, employees no longer complain about slow file access
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Operational Excellence

• Simplified administration: The monitoring dashboard and detailed error reporting make system administration much more manageable

• Proactive issue resolution: IT can identify and resolve potential issues before they impact users

• Set-and-forget reliability: The system operates reliably with minimal administrative intervention required
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Business Continuity

• Future-proof solution: Replacing NetApp GFC before end-of-service life ensures continued support and updates

• Scalable architecture: The platform can grow with Invetech's needs without requiring infrastructure changes

• Investment protection: Full compatibility with existing storage and network infrastructure protects previous technology investments

"The first person to use Resilio actually said, 'Oh my gosh, it's night and day.' He said that this is a huge improvement for us in the U.S."Brian Leicester, IT Manager at Invetech

Summary

Invetech's transition from NetApp GFC to Resilio Active Everywhere demonstrates how the right file caching solution can transform global collaboration and productivity. By eliminating sync delays, providing comprehensive monitoring, and delivering reliable performance, Resilio has enabled Invetech's engineering teams to focus on innovation rather than technology limitations.

The successful implementation showcases Resilio Active Everywhere as a superior alternative to NetApp GFC, offering enhanced performance, better reliability, and comprehensive management capabilities without requiring infrastructure changes.

For organizations facing NetApp GFC end-of-service life or seeking better global file access performance, Resilio provides a proven solution that delivers immediate and lasting value.

Ready to replace your NetApp GFC with a superior alternative? Schedule a demo of Resilio Active Everywhere today and discover how to eliminate file sync delays while improving global collaboration across your organization.