Tech trends, reshaping data storage

The demand for data storage will keep growing in the coming years. NetApp is embracing various innovative trends in data storage, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance data management and analytics.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing companies when it comes to data storage, and how do you address them?

NetApp recognizes that companies face challenges such as limited IT resources and expertise, challenging internal processes, and case management/support when it comes to data storage. To address these issues, NetApp offers a dedicated Support Account Manager (SAM) who partners with customers to navigate these challenges, minimize TCO, and achieve business objectives.

How do you balance the need for data security with the need for accessibility and ease of use?

NetApp ensures data security without compromising on accessibility and ease of use through its comprehensive approach, which includes robust data protection features, encryption, secure authentication, and access controls. Its solutions enable centralized management, making it easier for administrators to manage and secure data while providing users with a seamless and secure experience.

Can you talk about some of the trends and innovations in data storage that you are currently following or implementing?

NetApp is embracing various innovative trends in data storage, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance data management and analytics. It is also implementing cloud-based solutions for hybrid and multicloud environments, and software-defined storage, for more scalable and cost-effective storage options. Furthermore, NetApp is integrating data management and protection capabilities to improve data governance and compliance with industry standards. The company’s primary focus is on leveraging new technologies to enable efficient and effective data storage, management, and analysis, delivering value to its customers.

How do you ensure that your data storage solutions are scalable and can accommodate future growth?

NetApp ensures that its data storage solutions are scalable and can accommodate future growth through its newest program, NetApp Advance. This program offers customers the options and flexibility they need to simplify their future with NetApp. With NetApp Storage Lifecycle Program, our customers can streamline their refresh cycles; they buy once and enjoy non-disruptive refreshes of their storage controllers every 3 years at no additional cost or upgrade to a new controller anytime for increased capacity and performance as needs arise.

What role do cloud-based storage solutions play in your overall data storage strategy?

Cloud-based storage solutions are an integral part of NetApp’s data storage strategy, offering flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness for customers to store and manage their data securely in the cloud. NetApp’s cloud solutions, such as NetApp Cloud Volumes, also offer hybrid cloud support, allowing data to move seamlessly between on-premises infrastructure and the cloud.

Walid Issa, Senior Manager, Solutions Engineering MEA NetApp

How do you manage and store data from different sources, such as social media, IoT devices, and other non-traditional sources?

NetApp manages and stores data from different sources, including social media and IoT devices, by providing scalable and flexible solutions. NetApp’s data management platform, ONTAP, enables customers to consolidate data from multiple sources into a single storage infrastructure, ensuring that data is easily accessible, secure, and manageable. NetApp also offers Hybrid and Multi cloud-based solutions like Cloud Volumes that can store and manage data from non-traditional sources like social media and IoT devices.

How do you ensure that your data storage solutions are compliant with local and international regulations?

NetApp ensures compliance with global, regional, data security, and privacy regulations through self-assessments and independent audits by accredited third parties. Their commitment is validated by adhering to standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, NIST SP 800171, and Common Criteria. NetApp’s integration of international best practices enables customers to use their products and services regardless of compliance needs, with a list of in-scope software/hardware and relevant certificates/auditor’s reports available for each compliance offering.

How do you manage and maintain data backups, and what steps do you take to ensure data recovery in the event of a disaster?

NetApp provides comprehensive data backup and recovery solutions that enable customers to protect their data from disasters and ensure rapid recovery. NetApp’s solutions leverage cutting-edge technologies such as SnapCenter and Cloud Backup with BlueXP to provide fast and reliable backup and recovery. Additionally, NetApp’s ONTAP software provides advanced data protection capabilities such as pointin-time recovery, storage efficiency, and encryption. NetApp also offers disaster recovery solutions, such as the NetApp Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service (DRaaS), which enables customers to replicate data to multiple locations for faster recovery in the event of a disaster. NetApp’s backup and recovery solutions provide customers with peace of mind that their data is protected and recoverable.

9. How do you address the issue of data silos, and what steps do you take to ensure that data is easily accessible across the organization?

NetApp provides unified data management solutions that allow organizations to easily manage, access and share data across their environment. With a unified approach, data silos are eliminated, and data can be accessed across various platforms and locations. NetApp’s solutions include advanced data management features, such as intelligent data tiering, policy-based data movement, and data replication, which simplify data access and management while ensuring data is available when and where it is needed.

Finally, what advice would you give to other companies looking to improve their data storage solutions and strategies?

NetApp advises companies to embrace a data-driven culture, invest in technologies that enable flexibility and scalability, prioritize data security and compliance, and leverage Hybrid and Multi-cloud-based storage solutions. NetApp also recommends working with a trusted partner who can provide expert guidance and support throughout the process. ë