June 8, 2006

Pillar Data Systems hits the right notes for Play.com
~ Pillar Axiom storage system will protect business critical operations for leading online entertainment retailer ~

Play.com, one of the UK’s leading online retailers, has invested in the Pillar Axiom™ data storage system from Pillar Data Systems to provide reliable and flexible support for its rapid sales growth.

Like all major retailers, Play.com needed a storage facility that was able to cope with peaks and troughs in customer activity. In addition, the storage system had to be robust enough to protect the Oracle database environment, which supports the retailer’s online business. The organisation wanted to work in partnership with a technology company that could provide a system to respond directly to these business requirements, as well as its technical specifications for storage capacity.

To prove its ability to provide an enterprise-level platform for the online retailer, Pillar set out a test plan to implement the Pillar Axiom system within a matter of days. This enabled the Play.com team to see how the system actually responded to their requirements. The Pillar Axiom offers a flexible, easy-to-manage platform, which consolidates multiple tiers of storage in one system capable of scaling to hundreds of terabytes of capacity.

“Play.com has become the UK’s third most visited online retailer, and we needed a technology partner that was sympathetic to our specific business drivers, but also had the capacity to provide a robust, enterprise solution that would work effectively with our core business functionality,” said Graham Benson, CIO, Play.com. “Pillar’s ability to respond directly to our requests means that we feel confident in our storage infrastructure”

“Pillar’s innovative approach to storage and its ability to work with us as a partner, rather than simply a supplier, meant that we could focus on getting the technical specifications exactly right,” said Robin Spira, CTO, Play.com. “In particular the flexibility, which the Pillar Axiom system gave us, by offering both SAN and NAS from the same storage pool was impressive.”

“Online retailers have the benefit of total, instant control over prices and promotions, however, if database systems running in the background of the transaction mechanisms are not correctly supported by a robust storage system, the entire business could be affected,” said Chris Greenwood, commercial sales manager, Pillar Data Systems. “Any storage system implemented must have the capability to provide quick no-fuss access to database information, and must also have the flexibility to cope with major demand at peak times. We believe the Pillar Axiom will help ensure Play.com retains its strong market position well into the future.”

NOTES TO EDITOR

About PLAY.COM
PLAY.com is the UK's favourite DVD, CD and games retailer and was founded in 1998 by Richard Goulding and Simon Perrée. PLAY.com offers DVDs, CDs, games, books and electronics and differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on entertainment and leisure only and pioneering free delivery on the internet. Recent accolades include; Home Entertainment Week award for ‘Retailer of the Year 2006’, Hitwise award for ‘Most Visited Retail Site for Music, MCV & BVA awards for ‘Best Home Delivery Retailer’, Video and Games 2005’, and the Golden Joysticks award for ‘Retailer of the Year 2005’. PLAY.com has become the UK's third most visited online retailer with in excess of four million customers in over 30 countries with more than 600 employees.

About Pillar Data Systems
Founded in 2001, Pillar Data Systems develops enterprise network storage systems. The company’s Pillar Axiom solution, driven by its innovative policy-based management capabilities, integrates SAN and NAS into a centrally managed storage platform. Pillar Axiom systems consolidate multiple tiers of enterprise network storage into a single, easily managed system capable of scaling to hundreds of terabytes of capacity.

Pillar Data Systems is privately funded by Tako Ventures, LLC, the venture arm of Larry Ellison. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California with a development office in Longmont, Colorado. The EMEA headquarters is in Drogheda near Dublin, with initial operations across Ireland, UK, Germany and France

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