Hoffman Technologies, a storage solution provider based in Sacramento, California, has introduced a new line of data-backup and disaster-recovery appliances. These appliances offer a turnkey solution by combining a server, hard-drive cache, tape library, and the Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) software application.
Kevin Hoffman, Vice President of Sales at Hoffman Technologies, stated that this product brings enterprise-level storage with full TSM support to smaller businesses. He explained that most smaller customers are not interested in TSM due to the high cost of integrating the necessary server, tape, and software, which typically amounts to around $50,000. However, Hoffman expects customers’ perceptions to change with this fully integrated solution.
StorServer, based in Colorado Springs, has previously offered similar appliances using tape libraries from vendors like Overland Storage, Qualstar, and Spectra Logic. However, their latest family of appliances incorporates a Sony tape library with AIT drive technology, specifically targeting small businesses. Ellen Rome, Vice President of Channel Sales and Marketing at StorServer, made this announcement.
The Y-series solution consists of a 4U rack-mount server with hard-disk-based storage and a 2U Sony AIT tape library. John Sorensen, Vice President of Manufacturing at StorServer, explained that customers need to perform a full backup to the appliance upon installation. After that, TSM allows for incremental changes to be backed up to disk first and then to tape.
Sorensen highlighted that this approach ensures a full backup is available for as long as needed, while customers can recover files or systems up to 20 days prior. He emphasized that TSM is the best technology for this capability.
For small businesses seeking to implement a disaster recovery program, the Y-series is worth considering, according to Hoffman. He mentioned that TSM includes Disaster Recovery Manager, which is the only product he knows of that generates a disaster-recovery plan for customers, including instructions on tape storage. Hoffman described the process as answering a series of questions, after which the plan is generated automatically.
Hoffman also noted that the Y-series is suitable for government use. He explained that if the government requires a server, tape library, and software, they would typically need to obtain separate bids from different companies. However, the Y-series provides a turnkey solution, enabling the government to complete the project with a single bid.
The Y-series appliances are available in different configurations and price points. The Y1 starts at $12,900 and offers 100 Gbytes to 300 Gbytes of non-RAID ATA hard-disk capacity with one AIT drive. The Y500 starts at $13,900 and provides 20 Gbytes to 160 Gbytes of non-RAID SCSI disk with one tape drive. The Y1000 starts at $20,900 and offers 50 Gbytes to 190 Gbytes of RAID SCSI disk with two AIT drives. These appliances are available to both StorServer and Sony solution providers.
StorServer currently sells its products exclusively through solution providers. Ellen Rome mentioned that the company has around 65 partners in North America but is actively seeking more partners who can sell this turnkey solution. Partners have access to StorServer’s online quoting tools and can receive margins of up to 35 percent on the integrated solution.
Currently, StorServer handles the implementation process. However, they plan to certify partners who undergo two weeks of training, participate in three installations with StorServer personnel, and have previous TSM certification, according to Sorensen.