Figleaves has set up a second data centre and created a virtualised server and storage infrastructure to support the launch of its new web platform.

The lingerie e-tailer announced last year it would introduce ATG’s e-commerce software to replace its in-house created systems.

The site was due to relaunch early in 2009. Figleaves chief technology officer Peter Pedersen said that this should now happen by April after some slight delays because of the complexities involved with launching a site that he promised will be cutting edge.

Figleaves has worked with HP to create a virtualised server and data storage infrastructure, which the ATG platform is being built on. He said: “It was a key investment that needed to be made. Figleaves started 10 years ago and it has become difficult to manage something that has grown over 10 years.”

Pedersen added that once Figleaves switches to the platform he will be able to turn off hundreds of servers that are running the e-tailer’s existing systems and save money.

In addition to lower power consumption, the new infrastructure is also going to be much easier to manage. Pedersen explained: “Our legacy environment is hundreds of servers, which have to be administered individually, whereas with virtualisation you can administer the whole environment.”

Creating a second data centre also means the company will be able to minimise downtime on the site as it will be able to switch the running of the live site between the two centres if it needs to carry out maintenance or upgrades.

One of the reasons why Figleaves chose HP is that it could provide the servers, data storage devices and management software. Pedersen added that the company has a wish list of additional applications it would like to add to the infrastructure once the ATG platform goes live.

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