ESG: Analyzing the Economic Value of IBM FlashSystem Compared to Traditional Performance Disk System

ESG was engaged by IBM to develop a detailed economic value model and analysis for its all-flash, enterprise-grade FlashSystem solution compared to traditional tier-1 performance disk arrays, which is the mode of storage this model of the FlashSystem line is intended to compete against; the model and accompanying analysis is intended to help organizations determine the relative costs and benefits of leveraging IBM FlashSystem for a variety of enterprise workloads compared to a likely traditional storage alternative. The economic value model builds upon in-depth interviews with IBM technical stakeholders, relevant product demos, additional ESG market research related to typical enterprise storage system requirements, and ESG’s general familiarity with the myriad of storage solutions available in the market today. The goal of the Economic Value Validation (EVV) analysis is to provide potential customers with a comprehensive picture of the direct and indirect costs and benefits that they should consider when evaluating an investment to meet their storage needs.