Pandemic Impact on Enterprise Data Storage Management in 2020
Robert Sheldon from SearchStorage.com recently published a great post on 7 ways data storage management in 2020 has changed.
Highlights include:
1. Moving to the cloud
Probably the biggest impact of the pandemic on data storage management has been an accelerated move to the cloud, accompanied by decreasing on-premises storage sales. Because of the surging growth in e-business, companies that had been slow to adopt cloud-based storage and other cloud services are now moving to the cloud…
2. Embracing multi-platform configurations
Despite the cloud migration, many organizations continued to maintain some storage on premises. This has often meant implementing hybrid- or multi-cloud strategies or deploying other solutions, such as moving storage to the edge to accommodate specific use cases…
3. Remote office work soars
Larger remote workforces have strained internal storage systems and the administrators who run them. Not only has this meant implementing new data storage management systems in 2020 or enhancing existing ones, but it has also left storage admins dealing with the challenges of a remote workforce, such as people operating with limited bandwidth in less secure environments and adopting informal work habits. At the same time, many storage administrators are also working remotely, complicating their jobs even more…
4. Virtualizing desktop delivery
More attention to supporting remote workers has meant more virtual desktops. In some cases, IT teams have opted for desktop as a service (DaaS), in others VDI, either on premises or on cloud platforms. Organizations that already supported VDI may have needed to beef up their storage systems and take other steps to accommodate the increased loads…
5. Adjusting storage operations
In the past 10 months, most storage administrators have had to modify their operations, with changes taking many forms. Sales of hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) are up, indicating some admins have turned to this technology, which makes it easier to deploy and manage server and storage resources. Organizations are also turning to storage as a service (STaaS) to limit Capex spending and simplify procurement, deployment and, in some cases, ongoing maintenance. In addition, they’re relying more on the cloud for IT management services that help streamline infrastructure operations…
6. Deploying smarter storage solutions
The pandemic has provided a graphic reminder of the importance of intelligence and automation in supporting storage systems. Data storage management tools that incorporate AI, machine learning, predictive analytics and other advanced technologies can identify and resolve storage issues faster, especially when used in conjunction with automation. Intelligent, automated storage has been particularly useful during the pandemic, helping optimize performance, resolve issues faster, reduce manual operations and ensure security and compliance…
7. Adopting new storage technologies
Storage managers must figure out ways to move forward with their storage strategies to avoid being unprepared for COVID-19’s inevitable end. However, not all organizations are facing the same challenges. The pandemic’s impact on administrators varied greatly by business segment…
Read the full article here.
