Cloud Storage Channel Feature
Actifio Unites with IBM for Improved Virtual Storage Facilities
Actifio, a Protection and Availability Storage (PAS) platform company recently announced a tie-up with IBM (News 
- Alert) to provide cutting edge, virtually-based storage features that will enable service providers to get their users onto the cloud.
Till now, service providers as well as Value Added Resellers (VARs) have not been able to minimize the cost of using the cloud because of the traditional technologies and IT architectures that they use resulting in the creation of massive physical infrastructure and applications. By combining server, storage, as well as data management virtualization technologies, with a purpose-built Service Level Agreement (SLA)-driven operational model, Actifio and IBM will be able to give solutions that reduce cost, convolution and operational barriers involved with cloud-related storage solutions.
In a release, R. Brooks Borcherding, Actifio customer and NaviSite (News - Alert) President said, "The combination of Actifio and IBM enables us to deliver a more robust set of cloud services to our customers. It allows us to deploy a more cost effective network, better manage our data, and deliver new self service enhancements. As a result, our customers gain increased visibility and management control over their cloud storage environments from NaviSite."
The Actifio solution will be applicable to any mix of storage systems from the IBM stable with its PAS platform. It can include the scalable and effective IBM System Storage DS3500 Express, the IBM Storwize V7000 virtualized storage system as well as the IBM XIV Storage System Gen3 high-end disk storage system, and the IBM SAN Storage Volume Controller storage virtualization appliance powered by the IBM System x server.
Ash Ashutosh, Founder and CEO of Actifio said, "2012 is the year when the critical mass of technologies and market momentum comes together to deliver on the promise of the cloud. End-to-end virtualization of the IT stack delivered by the Actifio and IBM solution is key to transforming IT into a cloud service, private or public, delivered at an unprecedented low cost point. With technology crossing the tipping point, VARs can become service providers and, along with existing service providers, deliver differentiated data management services quickly and cost-effectively, supported by IBM's global delivery capabilities."
Carolyn John is a Contributor to TMCnet. To read more of her articles, please columnist page.
Edited by Juliana Kenny
