Hewlett-Packard (HP) has unveiled its latest disk storage device to help resellers target the SME sector.
The HP StorageWorks D2D [Disk to Disk] Backup System, automates and centralises backup for up to four servers. It is available in 1 terabyte (TB) or 2TB versions and has built-in Raid 5.
Stephen Watson, HP StorageWorks UK and Ireland marketing manger, said the iSCSI interface plugs into a standard Ethernet network and the system has a setup wizard to simplify the process for customers.
“This is aimed at those SMEs that don’t have a dedicated storage/IT manager in-house,” Watson said. “It will reduce the human error of traditional back up, because users just need to leave it to run and it backs up daily. It is not just a case of swapping out tapes for a disk product.
“It is also a simple solution for resellers. Sometimes there is a reluctance among VARs to sell backup technology, because it is seen as a time-consuming sale, but this is just like an additional piece of infrastructure.”
Watson said HP is currently training resellers on the product and that it will be shipped through its five distributors: DNS, Bell Micro, ETC, Computer 2000 and Westcoast.
Richard Russ, sales director at specialist storage reseller StorPoint, said: “The technology itself is sound and the value of disk-based backup is one of performance. However, I would question whether SMEs need this type of product. If an SME already has four servers, do they really need anything more than a simple tape drive?
“To me this sounds like a product that is looking for a home. Customers will still want to have their data stored off site, in which case they will still need to do a tape backup, perhaps once a month, so it may be difficult to get an SME to spend money on this type of product.”
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