As previously discussed, hybrid IT is “about optimised balance (sometimes with an element of choice) between available resources, and almost always will be preferable (and more optimised) if it is automated, granular, and flexible,” according to Mark Peters, Practice Director and Senior Analyst at the Enterprise Strategy Group.
So, why does it need flash storage? Well, its to do with the breadth of services hybrid IT can realise. Over-arching practical demands such as security needs, service levels, and cost constraints is driving the rapid adoption and deployment of flash storage.
“Simply put, a flash storage foundation along with cloud-connected data movers can in many cases overcome some of the perceived gaps of a public cloud while also delivering the provisioning speed and agility benefits typically associated with the public cloud,” says Peters.
As a result, flash is an indispensable element for IT professionals wanting the right mix of on-premises and off-premises data services within their hybrid initiatives.
Your choice of flash storage within hybrid IT
When it comes to making a decision about the sort of flash storage you should adopt for hybrid IT, you must bear in mind that:
There is an extensive choice available
A pragmatic approach is required to determine the extent, type, and location of flash storage. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the differences in performance, price, placement, longevity, and scalability means every organisation’s requirements are covered.
“This not just about investing in one or more all-flash systems, but demands using flash strategically (what one might colloquially describe as various flavours of “hybrid-IT-optimised-flash”) to support specific business objectives…both current and planned/expected,” notes Peters.
Performance isn’t the be all and end all
Flash storage may well be excellent at improving application performance thanks to a combination of raw speed with added data compaction. Yet not all applications require such speeds. In these instances, the ongoing reduction in pricing and the acknowledged value of flash storage in other ways is driving demand.
“Good examples include operational benefits such as improved administrator productivity (due to such things as less hot-spot tuning and troubleshooting to manage), and data centre simplification due to footprint consolidation,” says Peters.
With flash storage such an integral part of optimising hybrid IT, it makes sense to weigh up these considerations carefully.
