Tag: Storage

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Computer Weekly features: AI storage options

I am currently researching the following two features for Computer Weekly, and I am keen to receive background information on deployments and use cases as well as vendor-neutral comments:

NAS vs SAN for AI storage   – deadline 11/04/25 12:00 BST         

  • What kind of data – file, block, object – makes up data processed in AI workloads?
  • What implications are there for the storage used?
  • Is AI data mostly stored on NAS or SAN?
  • Why does file storage dominate in AI?
  • Can you store AI data on a SAN, and when is that likely to be better?
  • Is it always better to store file data on a NAS?
  • What other options are there besides NAS and SAN for AI data, such as object storage

Cloud storage for AI – pros, cons, options – deadline 18/04/25 12:00 BST

  • What kinds of storage does AI generally require, in terms of performance, protocol etc?
  • What kinds of storage are available in the main clouds?
  • What kinds of cloud storage are required for AI processing in the cloud?
  • What kinds of cloud storage can be used for AI processing on prem? And in what situations?
  • Looking at the different kinds of cloud storage available, what are the pros and cons of each?

To contribute to either piece, please email with details in the first instance noting the deadlines above.

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Upcoming articles: third party cloud storage and VMWare backup alternatives

I am writing the articles below for Computer Weekly, to appear early in January.Article 1: third party cloud storage options

This piece will cover:

  • The third party – storage vendor – products and services that are available in the big three clouds
  • The use cases for these third party offerings

We will then look in turn at the offerings from GCP, Azure and AWS identifying each of the above, as well as performance / tier options and links, if any, to on-site storage infrastructure.

Article 2: VMware alternatives and backup

This article will explore changes in the backup market, following changes to VMWare licensing, and what options enterprises have if they are moving away from VMWare.

We will cover:

  • What has happened to VMware licencing and why are organisations seeking alternatives?
  • How the backup market has responded?
  • What customers should look for in terms of backup solutions when migrating to a VMware alternative?
  • Brief details on backup providers offering virtualisation environments / VMware alternatives.

For both articles, due to the holidays and our publication dates, I am looking for leads by 1700hrs on Tuesday 17th December and any submissions or interviews to be completed by Thursday, end of business London time.

Please email with details in the first instance.

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Upcoming article: AIOps and storage management

In this Computer Weekly article we will look at AI ops tools, and what they do.

The piece will focus on the main storage vendors (Dell, HPE, Hitachi, Huawei, IBM, NetApp, and Pure). It is largely a follow on to this piece from a while back.

For each vendor we will be covering:

  • What the vendor’s AI ops tools are called
  • What they work with the vendor’s storage product range
  • How they work and the functionality they offer

This is a short article, and I am looking for written contributions, or specific links to vendor material, no later than 1700hrs GMT on Friday 22 November.

To contribute to this piece, please contact me by email.

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New commissions: Computer Weekly, July 2024

For the storage section of Computer Weekly, I am writing a feature on hybrid multicloud storage.

The piece will cover the following points:

  • What is hybrid/multi-cloud storage? 
  • What are the benefits of hybrid/multi-cloud storage?
  • What pitfalls does hybrid/multi-cloud storage bring? 
  • What workloads can most benefit from hybrid/multi-cloud storage?
  • What customers / workloads are a no-no for hybrid multi-cloud storage? 
  • What technical solutions can help make best use of hybrid/multi-cloud storage?

I am happy to receive technical briefs on this topic from vendors, as well as input from analysts or consultants. Any real-world examples of hybrid multicloud storage in use are also welcome.

The deadline for submissions is 1700hrs Tuesday 9th July.

To contribute, please contact me by email in the first instance.

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Computer Weekly: how to create the best hybrid cloud storage strategy

This feature will set out the key points IT directors need to consider when developing a hybrid cloud data storage strategy.

Key points we will consider are:

  • Key strengths of cloud storage
  • Key strengths of on-site data storage
  • How to decides which data goes where?
  • What does an optimal cloud storage strategy look like?
  • Some examples, including those that are primarily cloud based and primarily on-premises
  • Use cases that drive the decisions

I am keen to have real world examples and commentary from analysts or other experts.

Please note, the focus is on storage deployments, not compute.

The deadline for submissions is 1700hrs Thursday 23 May (due to the UK bank holiday weekend).

To contribute to either piece, please contact me by email in the first instance.

Note: if possible please don’t change the email subject line (or by all means append the source’s name to it, eg CW May 2024 – Our Client). It just helps ensure I can find all submissions.

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Computer Weekly features: January 2024 publication

I am writing two features for publication in January 2024. Note that due to early filing dates, the research needs to be completed by December 23rd, 2023.

Feature 1: Cloud to Cloud backup

This piece will look at the shortcomings of native cloud data protection, and their impact on both operations and compliance. It will look at cloud to cloud backup as an alternative, examining:

  • how it works
  • the workloads it is suited to (and any performance impacts)
  • who provides cloud to cloud backup services

Feature 2: Reasons not to use the cloud

Covering data storage, primarily, the piece will explore reasons why an organisation might choose not to use the cloud. This cloud include, but is not limited to:

  • operational needs and performance
  • IT management difficulties
  • costs
  • data protection and compliance
  • issues making cloud fit the business needs

For both pieces, happy to look at white papers and analyst research as well as consultants’ and CIOs’ views. As ever, it’s best to email pitches or input in the first instance.

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Computer Weekly: December 2023 features

I am working on the following pieces for early December and looking for expert input.

Please note the deadline for pitches is 1700hrs, Weds 22 November with any interviews needing to be completed by 27th November for both articles.

Data analytics: Data in defence

This is a UK focused feature looking at how defence is making use of data and advanced analytics. How are the services, the MOD, and the defence industry making use of the vast amounts of data they hold? How is data being used to support operations, but also in the supply chain, the “business of defence”, and in evolving areas such as synthetic training?

Militaries are regarded highly effective when it comes to intelligence and operational data, but can data and analytics be used not just tactically and operationally, but to improve readiness, bolster training and recruitment, and to make the defence budget stretch further?

Storage: On premises vs cloud storage

What are the key considerations when it comes to locating data on premises? Are enterprises opting for pure play or hybrid solutions?

This piece will look at the questions CIOs should ask before deciding where data should live, including:

  • data lifecycles
  • security and resilience
  • cost
  • application and workload performance requirements
  • how to optimise the mix across on-premises, cloud and hybrid architectures

Please email your submissions in the first instance. I will be looking to complete interviews within a week of the submission deadlines.

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Computer Weekly: storage features, November 2023

I am currently researching the following features. Deadlines for suggested interviews or contributions inline.

The all-flash datacentre: Has its time come?

Deadline: Thursday, 26 October, 1200hrs.

This piece will look at the idea of an all-flaws datacentre, and examine why it might, or might not, happen. It will:

  • Set out to define the all-flash datacentre
  • Map out a timescale for its arrival
  • Set out counter arguments – in which cases are non-flash storage media still more appropriate?
  • What types of organisations can benefit from the all-flash datacentre and which workloads can benefit from continued use of hard drive storage
  • Will it be cost that eventually signals a move to all-flash? Or are there other factors at play?

Storage for ERP systems

Deadline: Monday 30 October, 1700hrs

What are the data storage requirements for modern ERP systems?

ERP systems have developed significantly over the last decade, especially with the widespread move to the cloud. But what does an IT department need to do, to make sure the business has the right infrastructure to support its ERP systems over the next 5-10 years?

This will include:

  • What does ERP do? 
  • What are ERP’s storage I/O requirements? 
  • How do on-site and cloud ERP deployments fit together?
  • What is needed to support ERP’s databases?
  • What storage technologies does that translate to, on premises or or in the cloud?
  • Are there other developments in the field of ERP that will affect data storage requirements?

Please email your submissions in the first instance. I will be looking to complete interviews within a week of the submission deadlines.

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Upcoming articles: Computer Weekly, October 2023

Please see outlines below for features I am currently researching.

Disaster Recovery in the cloud:

This piece will look at at the rapidly-developing market for cloud-based disaster recovery services. The piece aims to cover:

  • What is DRaaS?
  • What variants exist?
  • Who can use it and what are the use cases?
  • What does it cost compared to in house DR?
  • Who offers DRaaS services?

Deadline for leads/case studies etc: Tuesday 26th Sept

When to move to cloud, and when not?

What are the use cases for cloud storage, and when is it better to keep storage on premises (or in your own datacentre)?

It will cover:

  • The benefits of cloud storage
  • Why on-site storage often significantly cheaper than cloud
  • What are the benefits and drawbacks of use of cloud storage for different workloads?
  • What are the different ways an organisation can leverage cloud storage?
  • Where is use of cloud storage heading, possibly including cloud native apps, bursting to cloud, containerisation)

Deadline for leads/case studies etc: Tuesday 17th Oct.

Please email your submissions in the first instance.

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Upcoming articles: Computer Weekly, September 2023

I am currently researching the following articles, deadlines in line:

SME disaster recovery

Deadline for submissions: Tuesday 22 August

This article is an overview of SME disaster recovery, with a particular emphasis on cloud DR due to its suitability for SMEs.

We will cover:

  • What DR requirements do SMEs have?
  • What is the key infrastructure needed for SME DR? (including policy, planning, training, testing)
  • What can you do in-house in terms of SME DR? 
  • Benefits and drawbacks /limitations of in-house SME DR
  • Benefits does the cloud offer for SME DR
  • Key providers and the type of services offered

Cloud NAS – what is it good for 

Deadline for submissions/completing interviews: Monday 04 September

This piece will cover:

  • What is NAS? How has NAS been delivered in the past (pre-cloud)
  • What are the use cases and benefits of NAS?
  • What is cloud NAS?
  • What kind of cloud NAS services are offered?
  • What is cloud NAS good for? Pros and cons

Ransomware: Where storage and backup fit in brief 

Deadline: Monday 04 September

This piece will show where storage and backup fit into the battle against ransomware, and in particular via the functionality vendors include in products.

  • How does storage and backup fit in when it comes to ransomware
  • What functionality are vendors including in products that can help?
  • Vendor warranty offers
  • Air gapping and cloud repositories

This will likely be organised by headings related to anti ransomware functionality.

Please email your submissions in the first instance.

Although deadlines are above, early submissions would be very much appreciated. As ever, case studies or end user perspectives always welcome.