FEATURE : ENTERPRISE STORAGE
Enterprise storage matures
Enterprise storage is a centralised repository for business information that provides common data management , protection and data sharing functions through connections to computer systems . Because enterprises deal with heavy workloads of business-critical information , enterprise storage systems should be scalable for workloads of hundreds of terabytes or even petabytes without relying on excessive cabling or the creation of subsystems . Industry pundits share insights on enterprise storage and how the industry has transitioned to cloud and multiple storage platforms , writes Manda Banda .
As newer approaches and technologies in enterprise storage have trended upward over the last several years , it comes as no surprise that cloud storage , hyperconverged storage and flash technologies , such as non-volatile memory express ( NVMe ) are seeing a wide adoption by enterprises of all sizes in the Middle East .
Storage for containers is also becoming more important and enterprise storage based on composable and disaggregated infrastructure concepts is starting to make some noise . In addition , Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) and Machine Learning in the area of predicative analytics , as well as storageclass memory ( SCM ), should have a major impact on enterprise storage in the near future , if they haven ’ t started to already .
According to research firm International Data Corporation ’ s ( IDC ) 2021 FutureScape report , by the end of 2021 , 80 % of enterprises will shift to cloudcentric infrastructure and applications twice as fast as before the pandemic .
Fadi Kanafani , Managing Director – Middle East , NetApp , said as more enterprise companies become data-driven , their data assets will grow exponentially especially with the deployed AI workloads , analytics , dev-ops , etc .
“ As we navigate through and adapt to the new normal , CIOs ought to consider building their own data fabrics . This gives companies the ability to take full control of their data regardless of where it resides – whether on prem or in the cloud or in an hybrid mode ,” he said .
As a result , latest analyst firms predict that the storage market in the Middle East will witness growth ranging between 3 to 4 % year-on-year ( YoY ) for the next three years .
Kanafani said with the customer at the centre of all decisions , it becomes clear that companies need to be nimble and agile to stay in the business or ahead , considering that the current business conditions
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