Compaq scores storage software win

A new report on enterprise storage area network (SAN) management solutions says that Compaq Computer Corporation ranks number one in terms of overall program and solution completeness, services and return on investment for customers.

In its report, DH Brown Associates, a leading research and consulting firm, reviewed SAN management solutions from Compaq, IBM and Sun Microsystems and evaluated SANs in the context of wider enterprise issues. Written from the point-of-view of IT managers, it helps them rate the leading solutions available today so they can identify what is best for their particular organisation.

"The DH Brown report explains why Compaq is the fastest growing major storage software vendor in the market today," said Mark Sorenson, vice president of Compaq Enterprise Storage Group`s Storage Software and Solutions division.

"Our SANworks products provide customers more of what they need from their storage management software vendor. Compaq provides superior technology, an integrated architecture and an intense focus on investment protection and return on investment."

The report concludes that Compaq`s ENSA architecture is the most well defined and comprehensive on the market. This is the case both at a technical level and in terms of business related architecture. DH Brown describes Compaq`s SANworks products as being well integrated.

The study notes that Compaq was clearly identified providing customers with the best return on investment as one of its objectives. Moreover, Compaq`s SAN Business Value Tool provides customers with the methodology to consider costs, technology, and business modelling. It enables them to accurately predict the value of storage-based infrastructure changes within their business.

"The DH Brown report findings reinforce the value of Compaq solutions. It highlights how Compaq provides simplified storage management solutions and customer investment protection," said Mark Lewis, vice president and general manager, Compaq Enterprise Storage Group. "As the world`s leading SAN supplier, Compaq is redefining enterprise storage. Compaq is making storage management simpler and more cost-effective. We are demonstrating SAN`s burgeoning pre-eminence over legacy mainframe-architected storage. As the role of management software increases, Compaq will continue to lead the industry in vision and execution of SANs," he said.

The DH Brown report says that IT managers are focused on supporting business growth and integrating IT into the corporate structure. IT managers are looking to support demands for accelerating time to market, delivering high quality always, lowering the cost of production, enhancing productivity, reducing complexity while supporting high-speed Web services.

"While SAN management is still in its formative stage, Compaq already has integrated its elements to an impressive extent," said John Young, chief analyst for DH Brown Associates. "The criteria that define excellence in this important storage arena are coming into sharp focus. Improving SAN manageability is one of the most critical of these emerging criteria."