The IBM StorWatch family lays the foundation to solve the problems of non-integrated storage management tools and reduce associated management costs. This new Seascape family addresses needs resulting from a history of unorchestrated industry development of storage hardware and software products. As a result, storage management tools have had little integration and operability, and broadly different interfaces. Administrators have needed to learn how to use multiple tools and develop specific skills for each new resource deployed. This has resulted in management costs that now far exceed initial purchase prices of storage hardware.
Network administrators report two great personal benefits that derive from centralization.
StorWatch management across the mixed-server storage enterprise will include management of storage assets, capacity, configuration and performance. From a common point of control, an administrator will be able to plan and manage storage capacity from anywhere in the enterprise without disrupting operations. This helps to limit system downtime and ensures the most efficient use of storage capacity as user requirements shift. IBM plans to ship several StorWatch products this year, with others introduced in 1999 and beyond. As storage administrative costs continue to climb and management becomes increasingly complex, companies are consolidating their storage enterprises into more compact, manageable operations in record numbers.