IBM's announcement underscores that data de-duplication joins thin provisioning as another storage technology story that could warm the hearts of CFOs. Although for very different reasons, each heralds potential 30-50% space savings, which drops right down to lower storage acquisition costs. Ultimately, users will be able to exploit both technologies. However, the practical reality is that near-term budgeting (and other) constraints are likely to preclude pursuit of both technologies. Consequently, storage groups are likely to have to choose either the data de-duplication path or the thin provisioning path, looking to unify them as storage product timelines merge over the next few years. The decision regarding which path to choose should follow application and business value needs, but we fear that vendor marketing strategies and internal politics may well play a significant role. For example, while thin provisioning may well ultimately deliver greater returns to application development groups by enabling truly services-orientated storage, near-term the benefit of eradicating data redundancy in database environments may tip application groups to favor data de-duplication.
Action Item: Storage management groups are likely to face an unfortunate either/or decision regarding thin provisioning and data de-duplication technologies near-term that will strongly influence storage buying patterns in the intermediate term. Mixing these technologies is the best option, but will require deft procurement planning and savvy political maneuvering.
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