Mainframe Storage and the Cloud: How to Utilize Both to Make Management Easier

The task of data management has never proven to be more challenging than it is today. You might be wondering why this is the case, and the answer lies in the magnanimous speed at which data is growing now days. Unfortunately, one would hope that IT budgets would follow suit and grow along with the data, but that is not the case. In fact, the budgets are shrinking. As if the issues mentioned above weren’t enough, there are also strict regulatory requirements that must be followed. These factors have made life difficult for administrators trying to find relevant ways to best manage data in this fast-paced era. Many in charge may remember hierarchical storage management systems (HSM), as these systems were once the major players in the mainframe information lifecycle management (ILM). Suffice it to say, we no longer live in an age when such systems are enough. The bottom line is this: things in the world of data management have become much more complex.

Collection of information and data are becoming increasingly necessary. The demands are high, but as stated above, the budgets are not built for such an expectant load. Even current systems are not able to keep up with the increase and value of the data around today. Did you know that global data center traffic has been forecasted to triple its numbers since the year 2013? That’s a massive leap! Imagine the strain that is put on HSM and ILM with this steep incline in data. With the increases come an abundance of questions. Administrators and businesses alike wonder what data they ought to be storing, and what and when they are able to delete certain data. It doesn’t end there. There are many concerns regarding regulatory requirements, projected costs, and of course, the vital factors of backup, recovery, and accessibility of critical data. These issues must be addressed in order to adequately protect and store company data well over time. The tides of the data atmosphere are shifting, making it more important than ever to get educated and use the right resources for efficient data management.

The concerns and needs mentioned above make the idea of the hybrid cloud storage extremely appealing. This proposed solution has turned the heads of both IT administrators and business owners alike. Everyone wants to know how this hybrid solution could make the issues mentioned above disappear. The truth of the matter is that with the hybrid cloud in place, a cost-effective, high capacity storage solution can finally be taken advantage of. The beauty of the hybrid cloud solution is that it is a combination of capabilities that are found in private and public cloud storage systems. What this hybrid version would allow is for on-site company data to be combined with the storage abilities of the public cloud. The reason why this solution is such a dream come true for so many is because it finally presents a way to effectively manage the huge influx of data in a way that doesn’t break the bank. Even better, users are only required to pay for what they use, so as their needs change, they are not penalized with high storage costs if they don’t need it. The options are seemingly endless. Can you picture a life without worry over the provider or type of storage being managed? Most administrators likely can’t even begin to imagine such a thing! This hybrid solution can also be viewed as commodity storage, and those that have been in business long enough will understand why this is essential. Imagine unlimited storage capacity to meet all of your business storage needs. Now you might see why the heads are turning!

Hopefully it is clear why incorporating relevant solutions for effective management of data is so necessary in this day and age. In this ever-changing world where data is growing at the speed of light, the vast data influx could become a giant problem if administrators and businesses don’t take advantage of solutions like the hybrid cloud storage option. By implementing something like this, storage costs will be decreased as retention time grows and the data value ultimately decreases. You will be happy to know that with the hybrid solution, policies are adhered to, costs are reduced, and greater flexibility is granted. So, what are you waiting for? Check out this hybrid cloud storage solution if you are looking to manage your data in the most effective and relevant way possible. You won’t regret it!