The Future of Storage and Data Management : What to Expect
Storage has always been important for businesses. Storage is the place where you put your data, in case it's physical or virtual. Storage is needed to classify and organize everything you have to keep track of what you own and how much of something do you need.
In computing, storage refers to computer memory devices used to store data on an otherwise temporary or permanent basis for use in a computer or other digital electronic device. The most common forms are semiconductor memories (such as DRAM and SRAM), magnetic disks such as hard disk drives (HDDs) and optical discs, flash memory including solid-state drives (SSD). Storage can also be referred to as all peripherals that support information flow between primary memory and secondary storage. Storage devices are distinguished from other computer components by the fact that they do not need to be present for programs to run. Storage is a constant concern in technology as it’s necessary to keep every piece of data safe, secure, and available for users if needed.
The future of Storage: With more businesses moving towards the cloud, Storage becomes an even more important issue. Cloud storage is a way of storing data on remote servers instead of your personal computer or device. This means you can access your files from any internet-connected device without having to carry them around with you. The popularity of cloud storage has increased massively in recent years. Storage is an important factor when choosing a cloud service as the number of data businesses use can vary hugely, and it’s necessary to have enough Storage space for all your needs. The most popular cloud services are Google Drive, iCloud and Dropbox, with other providers like OneDrive and Box gaining popularity too.
NetApp’s contribution to Storage industry: Storage is always changing and evolving as new technologies are developed. NetApp recognised this early on and started developing its storage solutions. Netapp has been around since 1992 when it was founded by David Hitz, James Lau, Michael Malcolm, and others. They have been a cloud storage solution from the beginning with their storage appliances . In 1998 they were one of the first to introduce an enterprise-class cloud computing architecture on cloud service provider infrastructure. In March 2013 they acquired storage, cloud services provider Engenio Information Technologies Inc., which serves cloud service providers and large enterprises. They soon became a leading provider of storage systems for both public and private clouds. NetApp is one of the leading cloud storage companies in the world. Their cloud solutions contribute to cloud computing and storage, while also supporting cloud providers through their cloud solutions like Cloud Volumes ONTAP (cDOT) and Cloudboost. They can serve cloud service providers by running their cloud storage solutions on cloud computing infrastructures. According to Netapp, cloud computing is “the ability to access cloud data as though it were a local resource”. In 2016 they merged with SolidFire, a company specializing in all-flash storage, which only strengthened their position in the market. NetApp is continuing to develop new technologies and solutions that make Storage easier and more accessible for businesses of all sizes.