Five Things to Consider Before Adding Data Storage Capacity

Enterprise storage users should consider five things before adding additional data storage capacity: utilization, performance and availability requirements, the need for new technology, and avoiding vendor lock-in. And don’t forget new capacity optimization technologies that could solve the problem without the need for additional storage capacity. Drew Robb of Enterprise IT Planet outlines the options.

Like everything else, when it comes to adding storage, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. According to Jim DeCaires, storage product marketing manager at Fujitsu America, companies add new storage for four primary reasons: capacity, a technology update, performance and availability. No matter what the reason, installing it the wrong way can lead to a host of problems.

“There are key questions that need to be answered for each of the four reasons for considering additional storage,” said DeCaires. “If you do it wrong, you end up with the sprawl of storage islands, over-provisioning, etc.”

Prior to storage expansion, DeCaires advocates carrying out an audit of current capacity utilization. This will point up areas of under-utilization and could potentially reduce or eliminate the need for the planned purchase.

“Companies must understand the utilization of their existing capacity potential,” said DeCaires. “If it’s possible to consolidate existing storage to capture unused capacity, do so.”

Read the full article at Enterprise IT Planet

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