One of the important trends within IT is the move from evaluation of storage solutions in isolation to the evaluation of solutions including the cost of integration into the systems infrastructure. Successful virtualization implementations will include servers and storage and integration with the existing storage assets. Successful archiving will include sound archiving practices, allow easy exploitation by current and future applications and allow easy migration to new technology with immutability. Security and encryption will need to be implemented with an end-to-end architecture including practices and procedures round key management. All projects should consider the total impact on the overall IT infrastructure and business value.
IBM is a leader in some storage areas where end-to-end design is important, including virtualization, security and green storage. In other storage areas such as archiving, the jury is still out.
Action Item: IBM is a leader in some storage areas where end-to-end design is important, including virtualization, security and green storage. In other storage areas such as archiving, the jury is still out. Consider IBM as a horse to ride on courses that require cross-functional implementation services such as virtualization of heterogeneous assets, robust security and green computing.
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