Violin Memory Announces the Flash Storage Platform, Industry’s First All-Flash Based Primary Storage System

Solutions built on Concerto OS 7 with inline de-duplication engine deliver all-flash storage system at a cost lower than disk

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Violin Flash Storage Platform Teaser

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--()--Violin Memory®, Inc., (NYSE:VMEM) a leading provider and pioneer of award-winning all-flash storage arrays, announced worldwide availability of the Flash Storage Platform™ (FSP), including the new 7300 and 7700 all flash arrays, Concerto™ OS 7, and Symphony™ 3 simple management control. The Flash Storage Platform is the first all-flash storage system designed to run all primary storage and active workloads below the cost of traditional disk. The Flash Storage Platform achieves the ultimate consolidation and simplification of next generation data center workloads by delivering the highest performance storage at the lowest CAPEX and OPEX possible today. All Flash, All Workloads, All Performance, All at a Cost Lower than Disk.

This press release has an accompanying Smart Marketing Page providing further details about the Violin Memory Flash Storage Platform. You can access the page via the following link: https://smp.newshq.businesswire.com/node/1242.

At the heart of this engineering achievement is Concerto OS 7, which combines Violin’s system-level flash management and control, block-level de-duplication and compression data efficiency engine, and one of the broadest sets of data management, protection, and recovery services, into a single, integrated operating system. All the power of Concerto OS 7 is managed by the user through Symphony 3, delivering the ultimate flexibility and granular control on a per workload, application or LUN level of all features with the most elegant, and simple, single pane of glass storage management solution in the industry.

The 7300 and 7700 Flash Storage Platform designs reduce the effective cost-per-gigabyte by more than 75 percent over Violin’s prior generation of arrays, and are more than 25 percent lower in cost-per-gigabyte than the competition. For large deployments the system delivers all-flash storage for as low as $1.50 effective cost-per-gigabyte, making it possible for the first time, to upgrade all primary storage to all-flash, opening up the roughly $15B primary storage market to all-flash based solutions.

The Flash Storage Platform’s fourth generation Flash Fabric Architecture™ (FFA) sets new and unprecedented levels of performance, scale and density. The capacity of the 7300 FSP is 217TB effective in a three rack unit space, while the Violin 7700 FSP six-shelf configuration exceeds 1.3 petabytes effective, delivering industrial scale and density of 2.2 petabytes effective in a rack. The Flash Storage Platform achieves 1 million IOPS at sub-millisecond latencies delivering capacity and performance for greater workload consolidation.

“The Flash Storage Platform is a game changer for our customers and the industry as it creates the tipping point for enterprises to capture the promise of flash for all primary storage workloads, and to migrate and refresh disk storage to all-flash cost effectively. At the same time, customers gain 10X performance improvements for most applications. These performance improvements deliver efficiencies that can completely change the competitive dynamics of most industries by removing the latency and bottlenecks created in the data center by legacy disk,” said Kevin DeNuccio, CEO at Violin Memory.

“The Flash Storage Platform delivers the performance of flash, and enterprise-grade data services, including user selectable block-level, inline de-duplication and compression at end-user costs that compete with traditional disk array prices on a single, simple, powerful platform,” DeNuccio concluded.

“For the first time, customers no longer need complex solutions with multiple components running different software environments and fragmented feature sets. With Concerto OS 7 as the foundation for the Flash Storage Platform, data protection, data reduction, performance, and scalability for the vast majority of primary storage needs are met in a single enclosure running a single operating system managed through a single pane of glass,” said Steve Dalton, Violin’s SVP engineering.

7300 Flash Storage Platform: Native, Block-level, Inline Data Reduction

In addition to integrating a wide range of data services into the operating system for performance, reliability, and scalability, Violin has added user selectable, block-level inline de-duplication and compression on the 7300 FSP to give customers maximum storage efficiency. Delivering up to 217TB of effective capacity in 3 rack units at a data reduction rate of 6:1, the 7300 FSP supports mixed and multiple workload environments across an entire range of primary storage requirements.

The 7300 FSP unique combination of high-performance and efficient data-reduction makes it the leading and most cost-efficient solution for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) deployments, supporting up to 5,000 persistent virtual desktops per system.

“Our selectable, block-level inline de-duplication and compression is enabled by default,” said Said Ouissal, SVP Product Management and Strategy at Violin Memory. “This approach maximizes storage efficiency while allowing users the option of selectively turning off de-duplication and compression on a per application basis to further optimize performance, providing the only single platform capable of consolidating tier-0, tier-1 and tier-2 workloads.”

7300E Flash Storage Platform: Pay-As-You-Grow

The Violin 7300E FSP provides the same capabilities and features as the 7300, but at an entry-point as low as 34TB effective. With Violin’s industry-leading “Pay-As-You-Grow” capacity licensing model the 7300E can be expanded seamlessly and without any additional hardware upgrades all the way up to 125TB effective in a compact and cost effective 3 rack unit foot print.

“The availability of the Flash Storage Platform from Violin Memory addresses real customer challenges – balancing our client’s storage Capex with their increasingly competitive business requirements,” said Kevin McConnell, Transactts Sales Director. “There is little room for discussion when you compare the cost of flash to disk and realize that often the ROI on flash is higher and achieved in shorter time than with traditional enterprise disk storage.”

7700 Flash Storage Platform: Flash for the Largest and Highest Available Tier-1 Storage Needs

The Violin 7700 FSP is the latest generation of Violin’s high-end modular array line up, engineered for maximum performance, scalability and the only all-flash platform in the industry that natively delivers a zero data loss architecture. The 7700 FSP is targeted at large, multi-petabyte and multi-site deployments for customers that look for ultimate scale, availability and flexibility.

Powered by Concerto OS 7, the 7700 FSP provides over 1.3 petabytes of effective capacity or serves 20,000 persistent virtual desktops across six shelves, and adds synchronous replication and stretch cluster capabilities to the menu of data protection services.

The 7700 FSP also provides an excellent investment protection path for existing Violin 6000 series and 7000 series all-flash array (AFA) customers, as these all-flash arrays can now upgrade to a 7700 FSP, taking advantage of the Concerto OS 7 industry-leading feature set and Symphony 3 revolutionary storage management experience.

Concerto OS 7: The Premier All-Flash Storage Operating System

The Violin 7300, 7300E and 7700 Flash Storage Platforms run Violin’s Concerto OS 7 storage operating system, the world’s first all-flash storage operating system developed for primary storage. Concerto OS 7 combines the best of vMOS 5, Violin’s previous operating system, and the Concerto data management and inline data-reduction capabilities into a single and integrated software image that powers all current and future generations of Violin’s Flash Storage Platforms.

“This release of our field-proven, battle-hardened Concerto OS 7 operating system integrates data reduction, data protection and business continuity features directly into the OS. It allows users to deploy a single, easily-managed, flash-based platform as their primary storage solution below the cost of traditional HDD-based arrays,” said Steve Dalton. “We’ve eliminated the final cost and feature barriers to mainstream flash and the Flash Storage Platform as the industry’s best choice for primary storage.”

Symphony 3: Easy Management of Petabytes on Violin Flash Storage Platforms and All-Flash Arrays

The Symphony Management Console, bundled with the 7300 FSP and 7700 FSP, enables simple management of Violin Flash Storage Platforms from a single, powerful interface. With granular control over enterprise-grade data services, customized health monitoring, real-time analytics and advanced reporting, Symphony 3 delivers detailed, automated and centralized management of a customer’s entire Violin environment.

ANALYST QUOTES

“Violin’s new Flash Storage Platform helps maximize CPU performance by eliminating storage bottlenecks; high-utilization helps reduce storage costs – and low energy consumption helps cut power bills making it an option for primary storage. Flash arrays are the wave of the future for efficient storage and low cost memory.”

Clabby Analytics
Joe Clabby, President

“While some companies claim to offer granular control and simplified management of array functions, Violin Flash Storage Platform delivers on the promise. New users quickly discover they can spot bottlenecks and optimize performance for critical applications with ease.”

Data Mobility Group
Joseph Martins, Managing Director

“The new inline granular block-level deduplication and compression features of Concerto OS 7 – in combination with some of the highest raw flash capacities available from any vendor – will enable the Violin 7300 and 7700 to cost-effectively deliver the performance and the capacity required to replace HDD-based storage for all active workloads in many enterprise data centers.”

DCIG
Ken Clipperton, Managing Analyst

“In 2015 leading CIOs are identifying technologies that can deliver the greatest business value for their organizations, both now and in the future. Violin’s Flash Storage Platform creates a compelling value proposition for primary storage that goes way beyond the traditional cost per gigabyte analysis. Its advanced hardware architecture together with enterprise data services that include selectable, inline block level deduplication and data compression, has the potential to positively impact businesses by providing sustained performance at a reduced cost.”

Enterprise Strategy Group
Scott Sinclair, Analyst

“Scalability is key for data centers to keep up with the influx of information that continues to push the limits of existing architectures. The Violin Flash Storage Platform offers an easy way for existing customers to integrate the new data service and management capabilities without disruption, and offers a simplified migration strategy for new customers to take advantage of the performance and management available.”

Evaluator Group
Leah Schoeb, Senior Partner & Analyst

“The trend with the more successful All Flash Array vendors is to deliver a high performance, highly available solution that has a full suite of data services integrated natively into the platform. As customers push more and more to use these arrays for dense mixed workload consolidation, having the full enterprise storage management feature set integrated directly into the storage operating system kernel will provide optimum efficiency.”

IDC
Eric Burgener, Storage Research Director

“All flash arrays can now truly be considered viable options for primary storage, and the Violin Flash Storage Platform maximizes the technology advantages inherent with flash, while integrating features like data reduction and protection, scalability and simple, unified management.”

Mesabi Group
David Hill, Founder & Principal

“Users often focus on the cost of flash, but not on what data services flash offers. Violin’s new Flash Storage Platform builds on its maturity in flash solutions and provides users with a full enterprise storage experience, with the performance of flash.”

Neuralytix
Benjamin Woo, Founder & Managing Director

“The enterprise flash array market has grown in sophistication, evolving from simple high-IOPS boxes into total systems that combine fast storage with powerful software and data services such as snapshots and replication that are essential to storage admins. Violin Memory has done a great job of addressing these needs with its Flash Storage Platform, positioning the company well in this highly-competitive market.”

Objective Analysis
Jim Handy, Chief Analyst

“With its new Flash Storage Platform, Violin Memory now delivers a powerful tool to efficiently maximize primary storage requirements. By allowing users to manage inline block deduplication and compression at a granular level through a single interface, this new platform offers tremendous flexibility in allowing data centers managers to meet the demanding and varied requirements of today’s IT environments.”

SSG-Now
James Bagley, Senior Analyst

“Many flash arrays will meet the performance requirements of most data centers today, but will be challenged to keep up with more densely populated virtual machines or high user-count databases. The Violin Flash Storage Platform seems to be able to meet this requirement, and still provide all the data services that data centers expect from primary storage.”

Storage Switzerland
George Crump, President & Founder

“To make an all-flash array compete head-on with high-end HDD-based or hybrid storage arrays as primary storage, an effective in-line data deduplication and compression capability is a must. Violin’s Flash Storage Platform can now make this claim boldly, and its pay-as-you-grow offering will be welcomed as a bonus.”

Taneja Group
Mike Matchett, Sr. Analyst & Consultant

“Today’s solutions partners demand simplicity and predictability from their storage vendors. Those essentials and a strong value proposition for professional services are the new standard for engaging with solution providers. Violin’s strategy and offerings for the channel appear to meet those exact requirements and should pay a strong dividend to engaged partners.”

Viewpoint Research
Cyndi Privett, Principal

“Over the last year, Violin has focused on introducing enterprise data services to support their flash products, and the Flash Storage Platform is another good step forward for the company. The low-latency flash paired with a new operating system and management features elevates the Flash Storage Platform as a good option for enterprise primary storage.”

Wikibon
David Floyer, CTO & Co-Founder

CHANNEL PARTNER QUOTES

U.S.

“Violin's Flash Storage Platform is about making the shift from a point solution to an incredibly cost effective replacement for traditional primary storage. In order to run mixed and multiple workloads for massive economic returns, Violin’s Flash Fabric Architecture really makes a difference. As proven by our actual end-user customer deployments, Violin’s Flash Storage Platform is transforming business processes and delivery systems, while helping our customer create new revenue streams not possible with traditional enterprise storage.”

Stele Infotech
Anthony M. Subbiah, Senior Vice President

“Violin Memory is bringing to market technologies that address real customer pains and provides us additional revenue opportunities. The Flash Storage Platform achieves comprehensive enterprise class data services, storage performance, high availability, and densities that are transforming enterprise and cloud data centers into a competitive advantage for our customers – and doing so at radical economic savings.”

LaSalle Solutions
Steven Robb, President

“Violin's Flash Storage Platform is about making the shift from a point solution to an incredibly cost-effective replacement for traditional primary storage. If you’re running mixed and multiple workloads, Violin’s Flash Fabric Architecture is a game-changer. As proven by our actual end-user customer deployments, Violin’s Flash Storage Platform transforms business processes and delivery systems, while helping our customers create new revenue streams that were unthinkable with traditional enterprise storage.”

Tata Technologies
Joseph MacLellan, Associate VP

“To realize the increased performance and functionality delivered by the new Violin Flash Storage Platform, organizations need to assess their storage network to make sure it is not a bottleneck. By including a redundant pair of Brocade Gen 5 Fibre Channel switches in the high-end 7700 model, customers can be assured their mission-critical application workloads will realize these improvements in availability, bandwidth and predictable low-latency.”

Brocade
Storage Networking
Jack Rondoni, Vice President

EMEA:

“It’s a crowded market, which means product differentiation and profit potential are key to winning the hearts of the channel. Violin has delivered a solution for our customers – a differentiated solution and a new channel program that promotes profitability and sustained growth. Arrow and Violin customers are getting high-performance flash storage technology combined with Arrow’s extensive services and support. We look forward to collaborating with Violin to bring their Flash Storage Platform solutions to the EMEA marketplace.”

Arrow ECS EMEA
Jesper Trolle, Vice President Sales,
Marketing and Services

“Our partnership with Violin has raised our profile as a leader in delivering world-class solutions to our mutual customers. Our customers are looking for solutions, not point products. The Flash Storage Platform is a transformative force in the deployment, management, and economics of enterprise and cloud data centers and Violin Memory is the clear leader in this space. The Flash Storage Platform with Enterprise Data Services, that includes application consistent snapshots, continuous data protection, and data reduction services, is the ideal platform for primary storage.”

Christie Products
Marcus Stier, Senior Product Manager

“Businesses as well as customers look for solutions or platforms that drive their costs down, and increase their revenue margins. Flash storage is that new technology, but Violin is the pioneer in providing a comprehensive platform that delivers enterprise-class features at an economics that is truly transformative."

Fujitsu, Sweden
Fredrik Gustafsson

APAC:

“Innovation and flexibility are key when you need to penetrate our local markets. Violin Memory clearly leads in the all-flash storage space with innovation, enterprise class data services, and a unique flash architecture. We have had good traction with the Violin portfolio and the launch of Violin’s new flagship solutions will further align with the economics of our customer profile and promises to further grow our business. Flash for primary storage and enhancing the performance of applications is a compelling message that we will be delivering to the market.”

NextGen Distribution
John Walters, Managing Director

“We are excited to enhance our Toshiba Total Storage Platform portfolio with Violin Memory's new 7300/7300E Flash Storage Platforms series, which utilize Toshiba's state-of-the-art NAND technology, and augment its comprehensive data service capabilities with the sophisticated inline deduplication and compression functions. We will continue to strengthen our relationship with Violin Memory to deliver flash memory solution to the market.”

Toshiba Corporation
Cloud & Solutions Company
Koichi Kagawa, General Manager

Related Links

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About Violin Memory

Business in a Flash. Violin Memory transforms the speed of business with high performance, always available, low cost management of critical business information and applications. Violin’s All Flash optimized solutions accelerate breakthrough CAPEX and OPEX savings for building the next generation data center. Violin’s Flash Fabric Architecture™ (FFA) speeds data delivery with chip-to-chassis data protection, data efficiency and performance optimization that achieves lower consistent latency and cost per transaction for Cloud, Enterprise and Virtualized mission-critical applications. Violin's Flash Storage Platforms, All Flash Arrays and Appliances, enhance agility and mobility while revolutionizing data center economics. Founded in 2005, Violin Memory is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. For more information, visit www.violin-memory.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/violinmemory.

All Violin Memory news releases (financial, acquisitions, manufacturing, products, technology, etc.) are issued exclusively by Business Wire and are immediately thereafter posted on the company's external website, www.violin-memory.com. Violin, Violin Memory, the Violin Memory logo, Flash Fabric Architecture (FFA) and Concerto are trademarks of Violin Memory, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.

Violin Memory Forward-looking Statement

This public announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements with respect to: (1) the performance, features and functionality of the new Violin Memory products; the impact of the new Violin Memory products on Violin’s competitive position in the marketplace; (3) the impact of the new Violin Memory products on the primary storage market; (4) the possible business, economic, financial, performance and other benefits that customers and others may realize by using Violin’s new products; and (5) Violin Memory’s business plans and strategy. Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect Violin Memory's business performance and financial results are included under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in Violin Memory's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, which was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and which is available on the Violin Memory's investor relations website at investor.violin-memory.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements in this public announcement are based on information available to Violin Memory as of the date hereof, and Violin Memory does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Contacts

US Press Contact
Walt & Company
Stephanie Johnson, 408-369-7200 x1048
sjohnson@walt.com
or
EMEA Press Contact
A3 Communications
Federica Monsone, +44 (0) 1252-875-203
Fred.monsone@a3communications.co.uk

Contacts

US Press Contact
Walt & Company
Stephanie Johnson, 408-369-7200 x1048
sjohnson@walt.com
or
EMEA Press Contact
A3 Communications
Federica Monsone, +44 (0) 1252-875-203
Fred.monsone@a3communications.co.uk