Unified data storage and the art of balancing data center modernization with the benefits of the cloud
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Natalia Eichinger
Getting ahead in a world where disruption is the norm requires seamless access to data, no matter where it lives. Cloud is no longer a separate IT initiative, but often, organizations fear the costs and complexities associated with modernizing and managing data across on-premises and cloud environments. And these fears can hold you back from realizing the full potential of your data.
Data storage modernization should reduce the complexity compounded by silos and deliver the performance, reliability, mobility, security, and scalability that you need. But to get there, you’ve got to have an intelligent data infrastructure. And by “intelligent,” NetApp means a silo-free infrastructure that can harness observability and AI to enable the best data management practices everywhere.
Remove infrastructure silos, reduce complexity
Let’s unpack that even more. When we say “silo-free,” we’re talking about unified data storage: one common platform for file, block, and object workloads, unified by a common API set and control plane. Unified data storage gives you complete control over your data, on premises and in the cloud. And because we have the only enterprise-grade storage service natively embedded in the world’s largest clouds, you have the flexibility to store and manage your data when and where you need it: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or your private cloud. The choice is yours.
Scale AI across on-premises data centers and public cloud sites
Unified data storage also creates an outstanding environment for harnessing observability and AI. By tapping into AI-driven management and automation tools, you can simplify provisioning and monitoring, predict and proactively address issues, and ultimately boost productivity. And when your data storage is truly unified, you can scale this automation no matter where your data resides—whether in an on-premises data center, in multiple clouds, or in a hybrid cloud environment.
Manage costs with a consumption-based model
Scaling across your premises and cloud sounds great… until it comes to the bottom line. To gain the benefits of the cloud while managing budget and operational constraints, you need a storage environment built for flexibility, scalability, and efficiency—but how can you manage costs?
With an intelligent data infrastructure, you can align storage costs to changing business needs. Consumption-based models enable you to pay for more cloud storage as you grow, without requiring you to modify your entire infrastructure. And you can move data automatically, wherever you need it, whenever you need it.
Get IDC’s take on unified data storage
In the recent IDC Analyst Connection, Unifying Data Storage and Management Offers Potential Advantages for Modern Workloads in Hybrid Cloud Environments, IDC weighs in on the benefits of unified data storage. This article (sponsored by NetApp) highlights the consistency in overall data management experience that can be achieved through a single platform: “Using the same operating system and software can give enterprises a consistent model for data management, protection, security, and governance no matter where the storage and data resides.”
A new path to unified data storage
A truly unified data storage environment delivers simplicity at scale. Our solutions offer seamless data storage and management, no matter where you are in your cloud journey. On premises or in the cloud, you can leverage AI-driven automation to move fast and invest for growth.
Ultimately, truly unified data storage meets you where you are today and prepares you for where you’ll be tomorrow.
Explore how NetApp® can help you modernize data storage.
Natalia Eichinger
Natalia is a Senior Product Marketing Manager for Enterprise Storage at NetApp. She is primarily responsible for the planning and execution of the on-premises product portfolio, playing a crucial role in bringing products to market. Before joining NetApp, Natalia worked at Microsoft, where she performed various roles in marketing, engaged with technical audiences, and managed multiple product portfolios.
