Sun Chemical, part of the DIC Group, is a leading provider of packaging, graphic solutions, color and display technologies, and products for industries like automotive and healthcare. With over $8.5 billion in annual sales and more than 22,000 employees worldwide, the DIC Group serves a diverse range of global customers.
The Challenge:
After its latest acquisition, Sun Chemical saw a significant rise in its usage of Microsoft 365. The company added 2,200 employees across 30 international locations, many of whom were heavy users of Microsoft SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business. This increased usage led to vast amounts of Microsoft 365 data related to products, manufacturing processes, and standard operating procedures.
Because employees are spread out globally, the company needed 24/7 access to this critical data. Previously, Sun Chemical relied on the Microsoft 365 ‘Recycle Bin’ to restore accidentally deleted files, but this method was unreliable and only offered a 93-day retention period.
When employees left the company, their accounts were decommissioned and their devices wiped, often resulting in the loss of important data. With the growing risk of cyberattacks and the company’s expansion, Sun Chemical realized it needed to take full control of its Microsoft 365 data.
The Solution:
Sun Chemical decided to implement Veeam Data Cloud for Microsoft 365 to ensure continuous access to essential data and improve employee productivity across all locations.
After evaluating options from vendors like Commvault, Cohesity, and Barracuda, Sun Chemical chose Veeam. They ran five proof-of-concept trials, and Veeam stood out for its functionality, cost-efficiency, user-friendly interface, and willingness to engage with the company on an ongoing basis.
With Veeam, Sun Chemical now protects all its Microsoft 365 data and can retain backups indefinitely, instead of just 93 days. This change has already proved valuable, as the company has needed to restore files older than 93 days multiple times.
The company also benefits from a Backup as a Service (BaaS) solution, which reduces the administrative workload on its small IT team. The BaaS model means Sun Chemical no longer needs to purchase and manage its own backup infrastructure, leading to significant cost savings.
Had this solution been in place during the company’s last major acquisition, Sun Chemical estimates it could have halved the number of file servers it needed to purchase.
Veeam’s responsive support has been a key advantage, as the company frequently provides quick assistance and incorporates feedback on product features. For example, Sun Chemical suggested a change to improve local admins’ ability to see a specific filter, and Veeam implemented the update within a few days.
With Veeam securing its Microsoft 365 data, Sun Chemical is now better positioned to seize new opportunities. The ability to quickly restore files has also strengthened the company’s resilience against potential cyberattacks.
The Results:
- Complete protection of Microsoft 365 data: Sun Chemical gained full coverage of its Microsoft 365 data and moved from a 93-day retention period to indefinite data retention. This change has been a major relief and offers confidence that all data is safely backed up and easily restored.
- Significant infrastructure cost savings: The company expects to save up to 50% or more on infrastructure costs during future acquisitions, removing barriers to growth.
- 24/7 access to responsive support: Sun Chemical continues to benefit from Veeam’s responsive support and development resources, which was a critical factor in their decision to select Veeam.
With Veeam Data Cloud for Microsoft 365, Sun Chemical has enhanced its productivity and cyber resilience, enabling employees to work efficiently while ensuring critical data is protected.
