IBM expands storage virtualisation for SMEs

IBM has launched SAN Volume Controller Entry Edition for SMEs

IBM is giving a helping hand to small and medium sized enterprises with the launch of its SAN Volume Controller (SVC) Entry Edition designed to help manage virtualised storage.

The SVC software can improve storage utilisation rates, energy efficiency, administrator productivity, availability and scalability of critical applications by creating consolidated virtual pools of information, according to IBM.

The existing enterprise version of the application has over 14,000 SVC engines running in more than 4,600 SVC deployments, the firm said.

The new SVC Entry Edition has been altered to better suit smaller organisations that typically lack the benefit of a dedicated IT department.

It is designed to run on more affordable hardware, but promises the same functionality as the enterprise version, making it easier for service providers already familiar with SVC to manage the system for their SME clients.

The pricing model is also different, as SVC Entry Edition is licensed by the number of disk drives virtualised, rather than per terabyte as is the case with the full version.

IBM hopes that the new system will help resellers and end users alike to get a handle on the explosion of data experienced by many firms and make better use of their storage, cutting costs through the incorporation of green and efficient technologies.

SVC Entry Edition is scheduled for release on 21 November.