IBM, Actifio to offer virtualized, cloud storage

ALTHAM, USA: Actifio, the maker of Protection and Availability Storage (PAS) platform, announced a collaboration with IBM to deliver new virtualized storage offerings that help service providers get their clients into the cloud.

By combining server, storage and data management virtualization technologies, with a purpose-built service level agreement (SLA)-driven operational model, Actifio and IBM will be able to deliver solutions that break down the cost, complexity and operational barriers to cloud-based storage solutions, says a release.

Also Read: Are you taking the right approach to cloud

"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," said Ash Ashutosh, founder and CEO, Actifio. "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."

Built around Actifio's PAS platform and an array of IBM storage systems, the solutions will enable service providers to deliver multiple cloud services -- including back-up, disaster recovery, business continuity, and test and development -- on a single virtualized platform.

The Actifio solution can apply any combination of the following storage systems from IBM with its PAS platform: the scalable and highly-efficient IBM System Storage DS3500 Express, IBM Storwize V7000 virtualized storage system, 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.

"IBM is committed to helping our clients innovate and bring transformative technologies such as cloud to our clients to improve efficiency," said Andy Monshaw, GM, Global Business Partners, Mid Markets at IBM. "Today, we are expanding our offerings to support this momentum. Together with Actifio, we are delivering a comprehensive offering that will make it easier for VARs and service providers to quickly deploy cloud-based solutions and help them bring greater value to our joint clients."