Data management firm NetApp has collaborated with Fujitsu to introduce NFLEX, a converged infrastructure solution designed to take the complexity out of operating virtualised application environments in the data centre.
The pre-configured solution, launched in Johannesburg recently, enables organisations to reduce implementation and operational costs by flexibly scaling compute and storage capacity.
Speaking at the launch, Fadi Kanafani, regional director for Middle East and Africa at NetApp, described NFLEX as a "data centre in a box", which delivers integrated system management.
"NetApp and Fujitsu have a long-standing relationship, which has been in existence since 1998. However, this is the first time that we've come together with joint engineering on a converged infrastructure solution which combines the compute layer, the storage, networking layer with virtualisation software all together in a validated design.
"It delivers modular system sizing, single-call support from Fujitsu and NetApp, and integrated system management," he explained.
Whether on-premises, in the cloud or in hybrid IT environments, NFLEX boosts data centre productivity by delivering high-value IT services at reduced costs, notes NetApp.
Both organisations say they combined their strengths in developing the solution, with NetApp bringing on board its hybrid and all-flash storage solutions, while Fujitsu supplied the compute layer, PRIMERGY CX400 M4.
NetApp South Africa country manager and SADC district manager, Morne Bekker, explained: "While the solution is aimed for use in virtualisation environments, there will also be purpose-built solutions, eg for SAP Hanna and VDI appliance solutions, among others.
"It's targeted at all verticals, from healthcare organisations, manufacturing, retail and more. The solution is built according to the customer's requirement and their workload demands."
Due to its flexible pre-configured expansion packs, NFLEX can also be extended as the organisation's workloads increase, according to NetApp.
"One of the main challenges facing organisations when migrating to digital is the lack of talent and skilled resources. If you ask any CIO, they are always looking at how they can simplify their operations and how they can minimise the cost of operation and be able to still address their business imperatives.
"NFLEX takes the complexity away from the first-generation converged infrastructure where we are modernising the data centre and giving CIOs the confidence that when they acquire the platform, it takes away that complexity by being faster and more agile," concluded Kanafani.
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