Much information provided about storage systems reflects details about the specifications of the storage systems – known as speeds and feeds. This has been the norm, and if that information was not presented prominently, many would think the vendor is trying to focus attention away from flaws in its product.
But times have changed, and the Information Technology professionals making decisions on acquiring the right storage system need to look at different factors.
What is different for making the decision and why there has been a change is interesting, and may require explanation. First, let’s look at the reason why. In general, the number of storage professionals, whether they are called storage administrators or not, has significantly declined. Professionals with exclusively storage responsibilities are mostly found only in the largest IT operations.
That leaves fewer storage specialists, mostly because of reductions in staffs. The IT people remaining have to take on multiple responsibilities. Additionally, the requirements for storage and the availability of solutions that require less detailed management or control have enabled successful deployment and operation without the storage specialist.
Changes in staffing have led to changes in decision-making when acquiring storage systems. The primary focus now is usually applying the storage system to an application to meet requirements for business issues. In this scenario, the storage system is integrated into the environment as a solution for one application. It is implemented and managed for the specific requirements of that application. How the storage can quickly meet the application needs is the most important consideration.
The need for information about speeds and feeds is still there, but that is not the most important representation to the IT professional making the evaluation. At least it shouldn’t be. There are some products (and product marketing) that continues to focus on that message. There are more opportunities for systems that solve a business problem and quickly meet application needs.
There will be a form of natural selection occurring here. Vendors that understand and can adapt to representing their products to their customer needs will ultimately be more successful. Those stuck in their old methods and thinking will have a more difficult time. The Evaluator Group publishes a series of Evaluation Guides on how to make informed decisions regarding purchasing of storage at evaluatorgroup.com. These guides attempt to focus on what is important to look at regarding the purchase of storage solutions.
