The constant growth in structured (stuff in databases) and unstructured data (images, video, social media, CCTV images, documents, etc) means that the data storage industry will continue to thrive. There is a move to cloud-based data storage services for back-up and non business-critical information, so you will see services such as MozyPro and i365 taking off. However, the buzz in data storage is around two topics: Big Data and the move from spinning disks to solid state, flash-based systems. Big Data is more of a blue-sky, thought-leadership trend at the moment; very few organisations are actually doing it at the moment but the market leaders are all experimenting with it and IT departments are researching the topic right now.
The real revolution in data storage is the move from disk to flash. This radically improves data speeds and feeds and solid state technology is steadily falling in price and becoming a real option for the broader market. Vendors such as Fusion-io have an early lead but there are loads of new players coming through: Violin Memory, Whiptail, Pure Storage, STEC, etc.
As a result of all this, IP EXPO UK will feature a Big Data theatre this year and a Flash Storage Lab.
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| Visit the Flash Technology Lab to learn about developing new capabilities in enterprise storage, enabling greater application performance, boosting performance in virtual servers and virtual desktop infrastructures, increasing search application performance and to be an enabler of enterprise cloud storage offerings. | ||||
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| Big Data is more than just data volume; it is an opportunity to enable business agility, growth and innovation. It will allow organisations to scrutinise new and existing types of data and content. It will drive a new era of business insight and answer questions previously undiscovered. The Big Data theatre will arm IT teams with the knowledge to prepare their organisations and computing environment for Big Data. | ||||
